NEW IBERIA, La. --- Four Louisiana residents representing diverse backgrounds in history, art, philosophy and film have joined the board of directors for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

The four new board members, Dr. Phebe Hayes, Dr. Nathan Ponder, Dr. Holly L. Wilson, and Wendell Riley, hail from north, central and south Louisiana and, along with their varied experience in multiple fields, will enhance the organization’s mission to serve all 64 Louisiana parishes.

About the LEH

As the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the LEH maintains a singular presence throughout Louisiana as the only private nonprofit dedicated to making an impact in the cultural and education sectors in all Louisiana parishes. Its mission is to partner with communities, institutions and individuals to explore Louisiana’s past, reflect on the present and imagine the future.

LEH works with federal, state and local governments to improve educational outcomes and preserve the state’s cultural traditions. The organization has established a strong reputation with corporations and foundations and is trusted to deliver responsive, sustainable programs for and with Louisianans, such as the now-franchised Prime Time, Inc. series of programs and 64 Parishes magazine and online encyclopedia. For more information, visit www.leh.org.

Now celebrating its 50th anniversary and recognized for our enduring statewide impact, including more than $132 million invested in Louisiana communities, LEH continues to seek out new opportunities to serve Louisiana. 

About the LEH Board of Directors

The LEH board is statewide, and members are residents of Louisiana. Members represent the cultural, academic, philanthropic and business communities. Board membership is voluntary, and members typically serve three-year terms with the option to renew twice. Members attend four full board meetings per year, participate with subcommittees to support short- and long-term organizational goal attainment and aid in the cultivation of relationships that support organizational advocacy, fundraising and program/initiative success.

Dr. Phebe Hayes

Since retiring from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2013, Dean Emerita and Professor Dr. Phebe Hayes has worked to uncover the hidden histories of African Americans in Iberia Parish and surrounding communities, including the founding of the nonprofit Iberia African American Historical Society. Hayes’ essays have been published in the LEH publication 64 Parishes and Acadiana Profile Magazine. She and co-author Margaret Simon will release their book, “Were You There,” a biography of Dr. Emma Wakefield, via UL Press in 2024. Dr. Hayes is a graduate of Xavier University of New Orleans, the University of Southwestern Louisiana and Louisiana State University.

For more information, call LEH at (504) 523-4352.

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