Annual awards to honor people and organizations making positive impact across the state

COLUMBUS, OH—Ohio Humanities is launching a new annual awards program to celebrate people and organizations achieving remarkable success in the humanities in Ohio. The David Descutner and DeLysa Burnier Award for Excellence in the Humanities will recognize individuals and organizations whose outstanding work has positively impacted people and communities across the state.

The awards are made possible by a generous endowed gift to Ohio Humanities from Athens residents David Descutner and DeLysa Burnier, who have spent their careers at Ohio University.

“David and DeLysa are passionate about fostering the public humanities in Southeast Ohio and statewide,” says Ohio Humanities Executive Director Rebecca Brown Asmo. “We are immensely grateful for their commitment to helping us establish this awards program. The Descutner-Burnier Awards will inspire future humanities practitioners and be a catalyst for the humanities in Ohio.”

Ohio Humanities Board Member Dr. David Descutner was director of the School of Communication Studies, dean of University College, executive vice-provost for undergraduate education, interim vice provost for diversity and inclusion, interim chair in the Department of Social Medicine in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, and interim president and interim provost. He retired in 2017 and currently serves on the boards of Ohio Humanities and the Appalachian Children’s Coalition.

Dr. DeLysa Burnier is a professor of political science at Ohio University. She began her career in 1983 and has served as the director of the Public Administration program, the director of graduate studies, and coordinator for the political science honors program. She was named a University Professor and a Presidential Teacher at Ohio University and has been recognized nationally as a teacher and mentor.

Burnier and Descutner are married and live in Athens. They are active in many philanthropic endeavors, including at Ohio University, the University of Illinois, Slippery Rock University, and many local nonprofit organizations.

Descutner and Burnier are champions of Ohio Humanities’ mission and the creative, educational work it funds in communities across Ohio.

“We are proud that Ohio University has a long tradition of humanities teaching and scholarship and believe that the humanities are essential to preserving and strengthening America’s democracy and our understanding of one another,” the couple says. “Unfettered exposure to the humanities ensures citizens know history and how to think critically; learn to act with empathy as they develop a deep appreciation for personal, cultural, and religious difference; and value the importance of securing social justice and equality for all Americans.”

Descutner and Burnier are longtime supporters of Ohio Humanities. Beyond Descutner’s board service, the couple have been actively involved in myriad other ways, from reviewing grants to hosting the Southeast Ohio premiere of the Ohio Humanities-produced documentary The Lincoln School Story.

Each year, three Ohio Humanities grantee organizations will be honored as finalists for the Organizational Award. Nominees will be selected based on the quality of completed projects funded by Ohio Humanities in the last three years. The winner will be selected by an awards jury consisting of major donors to Ohio Humanities at the Advocate ($1,000) level and above. The winner will receive a $5,000 prize, and the runners up will each receive a $1,000 prize.

The recipient of the Individual Award will have contributed significantly to the public humanities in Ohio throughout their career and will receive a $1,000 prize.

Selection of finalists and voting for the 2025 Descutner-Burnier Awards will occur throughout the final quarter of 2024. Finalists and winners will be recognized and receive their prizes at a ceremony in early 2025. To learn more about joining the Conversations Starters, Ohio Humanities’ donor society, and participating in the Awards jury, contact Director of Advancement Scarlett Rebman at srebman@ohiohumanities.org.

Ohio Humanities is a statewide nonprofit that shares stories to spark conversations and inspire ideas by hosting programs and awarding grants that support storytellers statewide, from museums to journalists to documentary filmmakers.

Contact:
Kiley Kinnard
kkinnard@ohiohumanities.org