St. Bonaventure University officials have weighed in on the appointment of one of their alumnus, Michael Hill, as the 18th president of the prestigious Chautauqua Institution near Jamestown, N.Y.
An announcement made by Chautauqua officials Friday stated that Hill, a 1996 graduate of St. Bonaventure, had been selected for the post following a nationwide search. He replaces Tom Becker and will begin serving in the new position in January of 2017.
Hill had served as executive director of the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure from 1997 to 2002, university officials noted. Hill currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Youth For Understanding, based in Washington.
“The St. Bonaventure community couldn’t be more thrilled, both for Michael and the Institution,” said Dr. Andrew Roth, president of St. Bonaventure. “Michael’s work here almost 20 years ago, helping to raise the profile of our Quick Center, provided a great foundation for a remarkable career that has ultimately led him back to Western New York.
“Michael is passionate about the arts and education, and a tireless advocate for all of the things that Chautauqua stands for — exploration, discovery and tolerance,” Roth stated.
St. Bonaventure also has other alumni on staff at Chautauqua including Jordan Steves, director of communications at the Institution and editor of The Chautauquan Daily.
Hill’s comments about his new position have included plans for Chautauqua’s new amphitheater, which will replace the former, century-old structure that was razed in September amidst much controversy. Reports state the demolition took place several months after a state judge had refused to issue a preliminary injunction to stop the razing of the National Historic Landmark.
“I think what is on my plate is finding all the ways we can celebrate this magnificent new facility,” Hill said. “I had an opportunity to walk on the construction site and it has some unbelievable additional resources that I know the previous Amph, beloved as it was, did not have.
“My job is not to reopen that debate,” Hill continued. “My job is to celebrate with Chautauquans this great new resource and re-establish the new Amph in the same frame as the old Amph, which is the intellectual, moral and celebratory heart of this place.”
Hill said the old Amph “served that role well, and I have every confidence the new Amph will do the same.”
Hill said the new $41.5 million privately-funded amphitheater is expected to be completed by this coming summer.
“We are absolutely committed to having that on line for Chautauquans coming back for the new (2017) season and everyone here has their eye keenly on that,” he remarked.
On another note, Hill said he looks forward to residing in the cottage designated for the president of Chautauqua when he begins his new job.
He also plans to visit the Olean, N.Y., area where his mother and brother reside, and where he serves on St. Bonaventure’s Board of Trustees.
“Olean residents will see a lot of me in their neck of the woods,” Hill concluded.
