Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Susan Heegaard and E. Jane Olive to the Minnesota Humanities Center Board of Directors. Both are appointed to complete four-year terms that expire on January 3, 2011.

Heegaard, of St. Paul, is a vice president and the education team leader with the Bush Foundation in St. Paul. She has more than 15 years of public policy experience with an emphasis on education, most recently serving as the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. She was also a senior policy advisor on education to Governor Pawlenty, director of education and energy policy for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, director of intergovernmental affairs with the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning, director of education strategy for Governor Arne Carlson, and a policy advisor on education, arts and humanities issues for U.S. Senator David Durenberger. Heegaard holds a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, and a bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. She has volunteered for numerous civic and community organizations. Heegaard replaces Christine Smalley on the Minnesota Humanities Center Board.

Olive, of Mantorville, has served on the Mantorville Theatre Company Board of Directors and is a past president of the organization, where she spearheaded the redecorating of the 1918 Mantorville Opera House. She teaches period costuming and sews period-costumes for display and use at the Opera House and in the community. Olive is also active with the Mantorville Art Guild, is a member of the Mantorville Economic Development Authority, Mantorville Restoration Association, Stagecoach Trail Association, and Chamber of Commerce. Olive’s professional background is in nursing where she was a cardiac surgical intensive care unit nurse in Rochester. Olive replaces Lois West Duffy on the Minnesota Humanities Center Board.

The Minnesota Humanities Center is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Humanities Center fulfills its mission through humanities-based programs including professional development opportunities, early literacy workshops, and bilingual and heritage language programming. The Minnesota Humanities Center is governed by a 30-member board of directors, including six members appointed by the Governor.