When
Center for White Rose Studies was established in January 2002, it was merely a division of DEHeap Enterprises, Inc. Before long, it had developed a life all its own.
Therefore in 2005, we applied for - and received - recognition as a
501(c)(3) educational nonprofit. More importantly, we recruited a Board of Directors that is diverse, well-rounded, and exceedingly well-qualified to grow our work and ensure the highest standards of scholarship.
They are presented here in strictly alphabetical order. Please
contact us if you would like to speak with anyone directly or if you'd like more information about our governance.
Dr. Richard Allen, Professor of Film-TV-Digital Media, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas. Richard has won two Emmy awards for writing (
As the World Turns), has been nominated for a third (
Days of Our Lives), and has numerous soap scripts, teleplays, and theater productions in his IMDB credits. But it's not those things, nor even his being named to "The List" of fifty most influential Jewish Americans that caught our eye.
Instead, Richard is well-known for his role as teacher. TCU administration has lauded him for his research and creativity, but TCU students have honored him for teaching excellence and mentoring skills. He makes a difference every day in the lives of current undergraduates and alumni alike. We want him to bring that same sense of connection to our White Rose work.
Robert Barton, Associate - Department of Professional Practices, KPMG, New York City. Rob speaks fluent Portuguese, plays a mean game of Ultra Frisbee, and has the most beautiful baby girl imaginable. (He would never forgive us if we didn't mention Heidi.)
Rob’s passion for helping others impresses us immensely. He is known among his friends as someone who will look for ways to make someone’s life better, and do it without fanfare. An “alpha male” with a heart of gold, Rob has the initiative and backbone to translate compassion into action. His “change – and love – the world” attitude adds greatly to our capabilities.
Dr. Clare Colquitt, Professor of English and Comparative Literature, San Diego State University, San Diego, California. Clare has been a "super friend" since 1974. With shared interests in mathematics, German, and music, and shared experiences with the Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship, we have a great deal in common. Which hardly means that we always agree on everything!
Clare’s literary talents have been recognized by the MLA, as she has served as co-chair of the Edith Wharton subcommittee of that esteemed organization since Edith asked her to do so. (She was not the co-chair of that committee who was killed off in a murder mystery, thank you.) In 2011/2012, we will be handing over many of our editorial duties to her, ensuring an even higher quality reading experience for those of you interested in German resistance and Holocaust education.
Dr. David Dowdey, Professor of German Language and Literature, Pepperdine University, Mailbu, California. David never had any intention of immersing himself in Holocaust education. He loved "classical" German literature, good old Goethe and Schiller, the heart of non-controversy (except among "classical" scholars). Oh, and Moses Mendelssohn, in the context of religious enlightenment in Germany. David's fascination with Mendelssohn's world morphed into considerations of anti-Semitism and Christian views of Jews in 18th-century Germany.
And about ten years ago – the same time that we started our newsletter – that topic got David to thinking more about the Holocaust, and the considerations of anti-Semitism and Christian views of Jews in twentieth-century Germany. At Pepperdine, he spearheaded efforts to add Holocaust education and Jewish studies to their curriculum. (He’s also a Fulbright advisor at Pepperdine.) We value his counsel.
Timothy Hansen, Management Consultant, Accenture, Palo Alto, California. Rob and Tim may be really-good friends, but when football season rolls around, you have to be careful what color you wear around them. Though both are BYU Cougars, Rob secondarily roots for Michigan, while Tim obsesses over Ohio State. The playful banter lightens even the toughest work day. Tim is known for his sunny, happy outlook that brightens team efforts.
But there’s nothing superficial about his approach to life, “happiness” aside. He thinks long and hard about matters of faith, ethics, values, morals. While we do not share religious creeds, we work from the same foundation that defines unflinching integrity as strength of character worth striving for. We want him to remind us of that when we face tough choices regarding funding, grants, and archival decisions.
Denise Heap, Executive Director, Center for White Rose Studies. TCU grad, Fulbright alumna - these are two defining moments in her life, but they do not define who she is. That being said, she does watch every TCU football game she can. She also got to choose the color scheme for this Web page.
Denise "fell into" researching German resistance along with the rest of her family in July 1994. Although in moments of weakness, she may occasionally wish she had not spent so much money and time (and energy and strength) on this work, most of the time she recognizes the real "riches" she has gained. Knowing the White Rose family members, sitting at table with them and soaking their memories in ... What a treasure!
Christopher Matheson, Audit Associate, Ernst & Young, Irvine, California. It's always fun to find people who have your birthday in common (or almost in common). But with Chris, it's more than a date. He asks the
Why questions: Why this process? Why this methodology? Why this way and not the other? Those
Why questions birthed our White Rose research, so we treasure people who not only know to ask the question in the first place, but who have the courage often required to pose it.
Another BYU grad, Chris combines accounting and risk assessment with composing and performing (acoustical guitar) his songs in venues large and small. Since Chris is often mistaken as a serious type, his musical social (and self-deprecating) satire can crack up the stodgiest listener. We look forward to his involvement in the business – and creative – elements of our work.
Dr. Helen McConnell, Director of Development at Academy of Hope and Founder of the Compassionate Institute, Washington, DC. Helen is another member of our Board who shares the Fulbright experience in Germany. She obtained a Fulbright Full Student Grant in 1994-1995 while working on her PhD at The Catholic University of America. (Her resume raises one of those
hmm-questions, as she has her bachelor's degree in music. Almost all our board members either have majors-minors in music or are otherwise musically gifted. Is there a correlation between social conscience and musical ability?)
Since 2003, Helen has worked in nonprofit management and development, simultaneously teaching on the theology faculties at Georgetown University, the Catholic University of America, and Trinity University. Before our Board had even formed, Helen was already advising us on nonprofit matters we must consider, and consider soon. From branding to fundraising, her depth of experience will guide us in the business aspects of running the Center as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It’s icing on the cake that Holocaust education happens to be an area of German history that is familiar territory to her!
We are currently recruiting new board members to begin one-year terms for 2012-2013. If you are interested in serving, please contact us. We will then mail you our prospective board member package. It's a way to make a difference!