HONORS AND AWARDS
Susan Thorpe Presented Leadership Award
With deep gratitude, the Columbia
Museum of Art presented the 2013 John
Richard Craft Leadership Award to Susan
Thorpe, Ph.D., at an exclusive award
dinner on October 17th at the Museum.
The award is named in honor of the
Museum’s first director. It is presented
to an individual or couple who has
demonstrated a sustained commitment to
the Museum over a long period of time
through major giving and broad-based
participation in Museum activities. Thorpe
has contributed extraordinary leadership
and goodwill to the CMA over many years.
Board President Luther J. Battiste, III, Craft Award recipient Susan Thorpe, and Executive Director Karen Brosius
As a long-standing supporter of the
Museum, Thorpe exemplifies what it
means to be recognized with a Craft
Award. She serves as the Secretary on both
the board of trustees and the board of the
membership affiliate group, Friends of
African American Art & Culture (FAAAC).
“Susan’s volunteerism and leadership
has been nothing short of remarkable,
remarked Luther J. Battiste, III, president
to the board of trustees. “The time and
energy she has poured into the Columbia
Museum of Art and its many initiatives
is outstanding and a true inspiration for
members of our community. I could not
think of a better person to recognize this
year for this tremendous honor.”
time and service to help launch FAAAC
in 2011. “One of my greatest joys since
retirement is my new ‘job’ as a volunteer
with the Columbia Museum of Art,” says
Thorpe, a distinguished research professor
retired emerita with the Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the
University of South Carolina. “Being
part of an institution that brings so
much outstanding art and art education
to Columbia provides me a wonderful
opportunity to give back to the community
that has given so much to my family and
me. Through its many, many arts programs
the CMA enriches all our lives and helping
to make it grow is very rewarding. I am
proud and honored to receive this award.”
During the past 15 years, Thorpe has
devoted her time and energy to broadening
the impact of the CMA and enriching the
lives of those in the community. She has
revitalized and reenergized the Museum’s
Speakers Bureau and implemented a
new travel program for Premier Society
members along with the 2011 Craft Award
recipient Jerry Dell Gimarc. In addition,
Thorpe developed a student ticket program
for the CMA’s Chamber Music on Main
series, cultivated numerous new donors
for the Museum and volunteered her
The CMA thanks Thorpe for her years of
service and friendship. Her outstanding
hard work and support continue to make
the Museum a leader in arts and culture
in South Carolina. “We are very pleased
to name Susan the winner of this year’s
Craft Award,” says Karen Brosius, executive
director. “Her magnanimous efforts to
enhance our impact on the community
have been integral to the success of the
Museum. She is most deserving of this
honor and we are greatly appreciative of
her leadership. She is well loved.”
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