DENVER, CO.- Profound words; stirring images; and worldwide acclaim as publisher of 61 daily newspapers and more than 120 non-daily publications in twelve states: These are among the triumphs that lead to William Dean Singleton's selection as the Mizel Museum's 2009 Community Cultural Enrichment Award honoree. The award will be presented at a gala dinner on May 14, 2009 at Wings Over the Rockies, 7711 E. Academy Blvd. in Denver.

Since 1990, the Mizel Museum has annually recognized outstanding contributors to the arts with the Community Cultural Enrichment Award. Among past recipients are last year's honoree Norman Brownstein and 2007 honoree Mayor John Hickenlooper. The Mizel Museum Awards Dinner is the largest annual Colorado fundraiser. Proceeds from the dinner go toward operational support and projects of the Mizel Museum.

Singleton, 57, is Vice-Chairman and CEO of MediaNews Group, the nation's fourth-largest newspaper company in terms of circulation and the largest privately-held newspaper concern. The Denver Post is the company's largest newspaper. Singleton also currently serves as Chairman of the Associated Press Board of Trustees.

"Through his immense ability to reach millions of people with concerns of the City of Denver, the nation, and the world, Dean Singleton brings immeasurable cultural enrichment to citizens everywhere," said Larry Mizel, Founder of the Mizel Museum. "The reach he has in changing lives for the good cannot be overstated."

In addition to his commitment to journalism, Singleton is the past Chairman and serves on the Board of the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, and is a past board member and chairman of The National Sports Center for the Disabled. He also serves on the board of the Helen G. Bonfils Foundation, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Foundation and the Winter Park Recreational Association Board.

David Burgin, who worked for Singleton for 25 years, editing his papers in Dallas, Houston and Oakland, is on a long list of Singleton supporters. "If journalism had an award like a medal of honor, Dean should get it," said Burgin.

Singleton began his newspaper career at the age of 15 as a part-time reporter in his hometown of Graham, Texas, and bought his first newspaper at age 21. He served on the board of the Newspaper Association of America from 1993 until 2004, and is the organization's former Chairman.

Singleton is married to the former Adrienne Casale of Fairfield, New Jersey and has three children.