ANNOUNCEMENT: New Honorary Lifetime Trustee
ANNOUNCEMENT: New Honorary Lifetime Trustee
Photo Credit: Dawn Greenwald, Peanut Galleries
The Board of Trustees of the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science voted during their April 24, 2024, meeting to award Honorary Lifetime Trustee status to Stephanie M. Engelbrecht, an Evansville philanthropist and past President of the Museum’s Board.
In his nomination, Board President Adam Borgman cited Engelbrecht’s 20-year involvement with the Museum including her five years of leadership service in the Museum Guild and her participation in the work of the Museum’s Governance, Finance, Development, Art, and Executive Committees. As an officer of the Board of Trustees, Engelbrecht served as President-Elect, President, and Chair of the Advisory Council of Past Presidents.
Borgman stated, “During Stephanie’s tenure as President-Elect and President, the Museum Board of Trustees and staff formulated and adopted a three-year Strategic Plan, updated the By-laws to restructure and streamline the Board and standing committees, and increased the institution’s financial stability by retiring a mortgage debt. As Board President during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the Board in reducing operating expenses and formulating a COVID-19 response to keep staff and guests safe. Her dedication to this institution has produced phenomenal changes.”
Executive Director Mary Bower commented, “Continuing the longstanding commitment begun with her late husband, John D. Engelbrecht, Stephanie is a sponsor of major art exhibitions and programs. Her passion to further the Museum’s mission to utilize its permanent collection and resources to offer diverse educational experiences for the Tri-State region is evidenced by her membership in our planned giving group, The Arnold Menke Society.”
In 2022-2023, Engelbrecht led a committee of senior staff, Trustees, and community members in preparing for accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. Currently, she is Chairing the Search Committee for the Museum’s next Executive Director.