Winter 2006
Bruce Dayton Receives U’s Highest Award
Photo by Sara Jorde
Bruce Dayton, an influential leader in philanthropy and a model of ethical and community-minded corporate leadership, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University in 2005. The prestigious award recognizes Dayton’s business, cultural, and philanthropic leadership, his service to humanity, and his patronage of the arts. With his spouse, Ruth Stricker Dayton, he has been a longtime friend to the University and to the Twin Cities arts community.
“It’s a great honor to count Bruce Dayton among the University’s most visionary and generous friends,” said CLA dean Steven Rosenstone at the award ceremony in April. “He has unfailingly translated his passion for learning, his love of art, and his gift for leadership into support for vitally important programs at the heart of the University of Minnesota.”
What shaped your appreciation for art?
I was raised three blocks from the Minneapolis Art Institute, and my family saw to getting me over there every week or so. My interests developed at Yale. The art classes I took were an influence, and Yale has one of the greatest teaching museums in the world.
What draws you to Asian art?
Ruth’s values are subjective, an interest in Chinese history and culture; and mine are more objective: These are two countries—the U.S. and China—that are going to be close rivals, and we had better build bridges to each other for better understanding. I also enjoy and appreciate the art. I admire the Chinese tradition, the technical skill and beauty, the natural materials. The joys of the mind are a marvelous concept. I guess the Chinese learned something in their 5,000 years of history.
Does your interest extend to Asian films?
I rarely go to movies; I read. I am reading a biography of Franklin Roosevelt. I was brought up in an anti-Roosevelt family, so I decided I’d better read and form my own opinion. I realized my family had reasons for their prejudices, but they missed the big picture. I am also reading a book on Leonardo da Vinci, a very interesting personality.
What inspires you these days?
It’s an interesting world. I have a great wife, and we do everything together—our Chinese art collection is one of those things. And when something comes along like the Minneapolis Library, we both think that is an opportunity for us. The University’s art building was dowdy and dilapidated, and a new building was an opportunity to inspire and interest people. There is a lot of satisfaction in supporting that.
Any new passion you’d like to support?
At my age, I’d better not have anything I haven’t done. My wife and I decided long ago that we’d give to the areas of our expertise and high interest, and that’s what we have done.