2007.05.03: May 3, 2007: Headlines: COS - Bolivia: Museums: Times Herald: Bolivia RPCV Dennis Zembala named president of the Port Huron Museum
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2007.05.03: May 3, 2007: Headlines: COS - Bolivia: Museums: Times Herald: Bolivia RPCV Dennis Zembala named president of the Port Huron Museum
Bolivia RPCV Dennis Zembala named president of the Port Huron Museum
Zembala has worked at places such as the Detroit Historical Museum, where he served as director, and the Baltimore Museum of Industry, where he served as executive director. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1964, Zembala taught at high schools in the Detroit area before serving in Bolivia with the U.S. Peace Corps. He said his experience abroad made him appreciate American culture and civilization. A lifelong educator, Zembala said museums have a unique way of teaching visitors. "Museums have a special kind of role because they deal with material artifacts and things in the material world," he said. "They're a good link between the things you learn out of books and the real world."
Bolivia RPCV Dennis Zembala named president of the Port Huron Museum
Port Huron Museum board hires new leader
By NICOLE GERRING
Times Herald
A Detroit native with experience at museums there and in Baltimore has been named president of the Port Huron Museum.
Dennis Zembala, 63, will begin his new job May 21, replacing former museum Director Stephen R. Williams who resigned in August. Williams had been director of the museum, which has four sites, for 27 years.
A confidentiality agreement between Williams and the museum's board of trustees has prevented either side from discussing the resignation.
Although Zembala will have a different title than Williams, his job responsibilities will be the same, officials said.
The museum is eager to move forward after some difficult times, said Kristi Hazard, president of the board of trustees.
"(Zembala's) got a great sense of humor, he's really down to Earth, he's really what we need," she said. "It's been a tough time for the museum, but we're looking forward to new opportunities right now."
Zembala, who plans to move from Detroit to Port Huron, was one of four people interviewed for the job.
Zembala learned of the position, which was advertised nationally in magazines and on Web sites, through the American Association of Museums job bank.
After a series of interviews that started about a month ago, it was clear Zembala would be a good fit for the Port Huron Museum, Hazard said. She would not release details about other job candidates or say how much Zembala will be paid.
Zembala has worked at places such as the Detroit Historical Museum, where he served as director, and the Baltimore Museum of Industry, where he served as executive director.
After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1964, Zembala taught at high schools in the Detroit area before serving in Bolivia with the U.S. Peace Corps.
He said his experience abroad made him appreciate American culture and civilization.
A lifelong educator, Zembala said museums have a unique way of teaching visitors.
"Museums have a special kind of role because they deal with material artifacts and things in the material world," he said. "They're a good link between the things you learn out of books and the real world."
Zembala said he hopes to collaborate with community members and organizations to further common goals, such as increasing tourism and boosting the local economy.
"Museums have changed, they're no longer a top-down organization. They're much more involved in collaborating with other organizations, furthering the goals of the local economy," he said.
m Contact Nicole Gerring at (810) 989-6270 or ngerring@ gannett.com.
DENNIS ZEMBALA, 63
# RESIDENCE:Detroit
# EDUCATION:Bachelor's degree in English from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; doctorate in American civilization and the history of technology from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
# EXPERIENCE:Director of Detroit Historical Museum; executive director of Baltimore Museum of Industry; historic site surveyor with John Milner architecture firm in Philadelphia; historic site survey historian with the National Park Service in Washington, D.C.; Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia; high school English teacher.
# FAMILY:Wife, Ann; and two children, Andrew, 17, and Dr. Margaret Sullivan, 32.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: May, 2007; Peace Corps Bolivia; Directory of Bolivia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Bolivia RPCVs; Museums
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Story Source: Times Herald
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Bolivia; Museums
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