The 2002 Stan Black Award
The Stan Black Award is named for one of the founders of The Community Foundation. Stan is retired now, but continues to be an active participant in a number of causes, both in the Boulder area and overseas. We present this award annually with the sponsorship of the law firm of Hutchinson, Black & Cook and the additional support individual donors. The award is intended to honor an individual who, like Stan Black, has given a lifetime of "time, treasure and talent" to the community.
The 2002 Stan Black Award honoree is Bev Sears
Bev Sears has been involved in the Boulder County community
practically since the day she moved here in 1961. She
and her husband, Wes, raised their two sons here, always
grateful for the sunshine and the good health it inspired
in their family. Bev was drawn to Boulder in part because
it felt so different from the denser population of her
native Maryland.
"It’s very visible that a person can make
a difference here. There is no place I would rather
live," she said. She started her community work
in a small but important way, volunteering in the library
at her sons’ elementary school. Next, she decided
to get involved in government, first as the chairperson
of the Colorado Second Congressional District Democratic
Committee, and as the assistant to former Congressman
Tim Wirth. Soon she herself was drawn into civic life,
winning a seat on the Boulder CityCouncil in 1979. She
held that seat for nine years – a pivotal time
in the growth and development of this area.
In between working as Director of Development for the
University of Colorado Graduate School, Bev made the
time to stay involved in the nonprofit community. Her
nonprofit resume is a distinguished one, with service
on the boards of People’s Clinic, the Colorado
Music Festival, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, and
the Boulder Soviet Sister City Project.
Now that she has – in her words – "retired,"
her current activities include being the chair of the
Program Committee for Zonta International Club in Boulder
County, a group of professional women who work to promote
the status of women worldwide. She also serves on the
University of Colorado Graduate School Advisory County,
the C.U. President’s Business & Community Council,
is involved in the Fortnightly Club through the university,
and helps raise money for the Boulder County Audubon
Society.
Her current passion is her service on the board of Special
Transit.
