David Allison, Experience Design Manager at Conner Prairie has been named as one of the 2008 Indiana Humanities Council’s Governor’s Award for Leaders of Tomorrow recipients. The Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders is a prestigious, statewide program of the Indiana Humanities Council and the Office of the Governor designed to recognize and honor a diverse group of outstanding young leaders from across Indiana. These young leaders serve as role models and inspiration to their peers and to all citizens of the State.
The twelve recipients of the Governor’s Award for Tomorrow’s Leaders are presented with an award and receive $1000 in the form of a scholarship or a contribution to a charity of the recipient’s choice during a ceremony that will be held December 16. Awards are narrowed down to three criteria which demonstrate an applicant’s leadership and achievements in the following categories: entrepreneurial, community and academic. Allison was nominated and won under the community path.
During his time at Conner Prairie, Allison has been part of the coordination of a visitor research seminar for front-line staff and in the creation of the award-winning DVD/CD-ROM front-line staff training resource Opening Doors to Great Guest Experiences, which has been used internationally to educate various institutions on relationship building with guests. Concurrent to that project, he managed Conner Prairie’s 1886 Liberty Corner. In 2007, he managed the development and opening of Discovery Station, Conner Prairie’s hands-on play and learning area for children aged two to eight. In his current role as Experience Design Manager, David is developing new areas and experiences at Conner Prairie that will debut in the next several years.
David is involved in service projects through Faith Missionary Church in Indianapolis. In 2006, he helped to facilitate a relief trip to New Orleans and went to Southeast Asia to assist with community development. This past spring, he also helped to register voters in Marion County. David also hopes to complete a master’s degree in U.S. History from IUPUI in 2009.
A native of Terre Haute and Taylor University graduate, Allison has been with Conner Prairie since 2002. He is married to Molly and has two young daughters.
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Conner Prairie, a nationally acclaimed outdoor history museum located at 13400 Allisonville Rd. in Fishers, Indiana, is in the greater Indianapolis area, six miles north of I-465. Museum Center and indoor exhibits open year-round; outdoor historic areas – Admission: $12 adult, $11 senior, $8 youth ages 2-12, free for members. Open Tuesday-Sunday. Closed Monday. Call or visit web site for programs, seasonal hours, dates and times. Discovery Station indoor play and learning area open year-round. Memberships available. Museum Shop open year-round – closed Mondays. For information, call 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836 or log onto www.connerprairie.org.to verify hours and admission costs for special events and programs, or to make reservations.