Richard Ballantine, a member of the Fort Lewis College Foundation board, has been awarded for his service and contributions to education.

The award, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District VI Volunteer of the Year Award, is presented to those who give their time and service to support the success of education. It will be presented Jan. 29 at the group’s conference in St. Louis.

Ballantine, who is the chairman of the board of Ballantine Communications Inc., which owns The Durango Herald, has donated gifts to the college, such as a multimillion-dollar collection of Native American weavings to Center of Southwest Studies and funding for the Student Union media center, which is named in his honor.

He also serves on the boards for the Fort Lewis College Theatre, Center of Southwest Studies and Community Concert Hall. The Ballantine family sponsors visiting faculty and guest lecturers and provides scholarships and assistance to students in need.

Ballantine and his family are the most substantial benefactors in FLC’s history.

He became one of the original trustees when the college became independent of Colorado State University in 2002.

The Ballantines recently donated the newest piece of public art on the FLC campus, which is displayed along the south wall of the Community Concert Hall.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education assists colleges, grade schools and nonprofits in more than 80 countries.

fstone@durangoherald.com