THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:

The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents

FROM:

Carole F. Huxley

COMMITTEE:

Cultural Education

TITLE OF ITEM:

Reappointments to the Archives Partnership Trust Board

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

January 28, 2004

PROPOSED HANDLING:

Action

RATIONALE FOR ITEM:

Support for State Archives Programs and Collections

STRATEGIC GOAL:

Goals 4 and 5

AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

The Archives Partnership Trust is a 501 (c) (3), public benefit corporation for the sole benefit of the New York State Archives.  The Trust provides private funds, services and support to sustain the excellence of the State Archives, particularly in the areas of education, public programs and preservation. Its work is to ensure that one of New York’s most highly valuable cultural assets is accessible now and available for future generations.  A Board with members appointed by the Governor, Legislature and the Board of Regents governs the Trust.  The Regents have three appointments to the Board. Staff recommends that three current members - Ann L. Buttenwieser, Richard W. Couper and John J. Iselin - be reappointed to three-year terms beginning on February 24, 2004.

 

Ann L. Buttenwieser, of New York City, is an urban planner and author of Manhattan Water Bound (1999), and has spent her entire professional and civic career fostering recreational use of waterfronts.  Professionally she has worked in the New York City Departments of City Planning and Parks and Recreation, as well as the City’s Economic Development Corporation.  Dr. Buttenwieser is a waterfront planning consultant and adjunct professor at Columbia University and Barnard College.  Her writings include a recent introduction to The Lower Manhattan Plan (2002). She founded the predecessor organization to New Yorkers for Parks.  In 1999, Interior Secretary Babbitt appointed her to the Board of the National Parks Foundation.   Dr. Buttenwieser has played a prominent role in the Trust’s fundraising efforts, offering her knowledge of New York’s foundations and other contacts.  She has also taken a close interest in developing and carrying on the Hackman Research Residency Program.

 

            Richard W. Couper is President Emeritus of both the New York Public Library and of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation at Princeton, as well as former acting President of Hamilton College. He was the New York State Education Department’s first Deputy Commissioner for Higher Education.  Mr. Couper is a Life Trustee of Hamilton College and Trustee Emeritus of Wesleyan University. He has served as Vice Chair of the New York State Historical Association and serves on the boards of several foundations.  His father, Edgar W. Couper, was a member of the New York State Board of Regents from 1951-1968.  Mr. Couper has been persuasive in advocating for the New York State Archives Partnership Trust and communicating the importance of the Trust’s mission and goals.  He has enabled introductions to many foundation executives.

 

            John Jay Iselin is President of the Marconi Foundation, and is also President Emeritus of the Cooper Union, former President of Channel Thirteen/WNET, former Senior Editor at Newsweek and Publisher at Harper & Row.  A leader in educational, cultural and civic affairs in New York State, Mr. Iselin brings over 35 years of broad-ranging experience in community affairs to the Archives Partnership Trust Board.  Mr. Iselin has been an enthusiastic Board member, opening doors for the Trust with several foundations and potential donors and providing sage advice with respect to fund raising strategies.

 

            VOTED, that the New York State Board of Regents approve the reappointments of Ann L. Buttenwieser, Richard W. Couper and John Jay Iselin, each for a three-year term, commencing February 24, 2004.