Danforth Associates of New England (DANE) was organized in 1985 to increase the effectiveness of faculty and their institutions in providing a humane and value-sensitive education for students through strengthening inter-institutional and interdisciplinary relations among faculty at colleges and universities in New England.

DANE evolved from the national Danforth Association Program, initiated in 1941 by the Danforth Foundation. The Foundation, established by Mr. and Mrs. William H. Danforth (founders of the Ralston-Purina Company) in 1927, also funded the Danforth Fellowship program for graduate students preparing to be college teachers and made grants to colleges and universities to enhance the humane dimensions of campus life. The Danforth Associate Program was designed to recognize and encourage effective teaching and to humanize teaching and learning for members of campus communities. More than 6,000 men and women at 900 colleges and universities throughout the United States have been Danforth Associates. The Danforth Foundation sponsored regional conferences which addressed topics related to Associates' roles as faculty, teachers and citizens. Faculty spouses were included as Danforth Associates and were full participants in conferences and program activities. In the 1980s the Danforth Foundation changed its focus to pre-collegiate education and to urban affairs in St. Louis, and funding for the Danforth Associate Program ceased. With the blessings of the Danforth Foundation, regional organizations have been established to carry on the traditions of the Danforth Associates Program.

Danforth Associates of New England was organized at the October 17-20, 1985, New England Regional Conference of Danforth Associates at the Sheraton North Country Inn, West Lebanon, New Hampshire. This was the last conference funded by the Danforth Foundation. A steering committee was established consisting of Bill Brayfield (University of Hartford), William M. Cook (Dartmouth College), Evangeline R. Darity (Mount Holyoke College), Jacques M. Downs (University of New England), Michael L. Fischler and David L. Kent (Plymouth State College), Nina and Herbert Greenwald (Bridgewater State College), John Hanna (University of Southern Maine), Robert M. Martinez (Quinnipiac College), and John Stevenson (University of Rhode Island). Co-chairs were Janet Billson (Rhode Island College) and James E. Thomas (Marlboro College).

Formal organizational steps were taken at the September 26-28, 1986 conference of DANE held at Grotonwood Baptist Conference Center, a 335-acre woodland area on Lost Lake in Groton, Massachusetts. Two documents - By-Laws of Danforth Associates of New England, Inc. , and Articles of Agreement of Danforth Associates of New England, Inc. - prepared by David Kent were approved.

David Kent then carried forth the process of incorporating the organization in New Hampshire; this process was completed in December 1986. Trustees of the corporation elected on September 28 were David L. Kent, president; James E. Thomas, past-president Janet Billson, vice-president; Margaret Reynold Fleck (Smith College), secretary; Carolyn Kent (Plymouth State College), treasurer; William W. Cook; Theresa Dykeman (Fairfield University): Michael L. and Reine Fischler (Plymouth State College); Dorothy Reuman (Colby College), and Donald St. Mary (University of Massachusetts).

DANE was organized to pursue the following goals:

• To provide for the renewal of enthusiasm and dedication to the profession.

• To recruit faculty members and spouses who have a major demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching and research.

• To promote communication and community among those interested in humanizing the teaching/learning process in the tradition of the Danforth Foundation.

• To gather periodically for inter-institutional and interdisciplinary conferences on issues facing higher education.

• To recognize and encourage effective teaching on college campuses.

• To promote scholarship within and among disciplines in the study of higher education.

• To nurture student-faculty relations through examination of values and current education issues.

Current members, representing a cross-section of New England colleges and universities, meet annually to reflect on issues of common concern to post-secondary teachers. Continuing the humanistic traditions of the Danforth Foundation, DANE conferences consider such questions as racial and ethnic diversity, teaching methods, and interdisciplinary faculty development programs. Much of what is shared at DANE conferences contributes to the quality of teaching and learning effectiveness at the institutions represented by members. There is an annual membership fee of $20. Every effort is made to keep the expenses for the annual conference at a reasonable level.

The criteria for selection of new DANE members are as follows: 

• Candidates must have taught at a college or university for at least three years.

• Candidates must be committed to excellence in the teaching of undergraduate students.

• Candidates must be dedicated to the enhancement of the teaching and learning process.

• Candidates must be sensitive to the quality of the entire campus learning environment.

Spouses of candidates shall be admitted without having taught at an institution of higher education, provided they meet the other criteria. No criteria of membership shall be required which shall cause any disclosure related to sex, race, religion, marital or handicapped status, age, national origin, color, creed, or political affiliation or persuasion.