Winifred J. Bundy honored as 2008-09 Distinguished Friend of the Humanities

Winn Bundy, owner of the Singing Winds Bookshop in Benson and long-time contributor to southwestern letters, was recognized by the College of Humanities as its Distinguished Friend of the Humanities for 2008-09 at the College’s spring Advisory Board meeting.

The distinction is an annual tradition from the Humanities Dean’s Office, paying tribute to an individual or group that has devoted special attention and energy to the promotion of the College, its faculty and programs. Bundy joins a distinguished group of awardees dating back to 1987, including Peter Likins, Helen and John Schaefer, Dorothy Rubel, Esther Tang, William and Doby Hillenbrand, Randall Holdridge and Tony Luebbermann.

Bundy has served on the College of Humanities Advisory Board since 2001, and also has brought extraordinary energy and generosity to the Poetry Center Development Committee since 2000. Her cattle-ranch bookshop was already legendary, a destination for lovers of Southwestern literature since 1974, when she turned her attention to the Poetry Center, drawing heightened awareness and support to the Center’s programs and building campaign. Beyond her own generous gifting, Bundy has attracted new friends and donors through event organizing and support, and vigorous networking and promotion. Bundy was instrumental in suggesting and promoting a successful benefit performance headlined by Baxter Black in October 2008, with expanded and diverse community involvement and corporate sponsorship.

Bundy holds master’s degrees in history and library science from the University of Arizona. In 2006, she earned the Lawrence Clark Powell Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pima Country Public Library for her contributions to southwestern letters.

The College of Humanities honors and salutes Winn Bundy for her impassioned dedication to letters and to the missions of the College.