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.