Awards, Oct 04, 2001

The following awards have been presented for achievement in management, philanthropy, and volunteerism:

Food and hunger. The World Food Prize Foundation (Des Moines) has named the recipient of its 2001 World Food Prize, which honors people who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, and availability of food worldwide. The award, which carries a $250,000 prize, went to Per Pinstrup-Andersen, director-general of the International Food Policy Research Institute (Washington). His research has helped developing nations adjust their agricultural policies to increase the amount of food available.

Humanitarianism. Robert E. (Ted) Turner, vice chairman of AOL Time Warner, has received the 2001 Albert Schweitzer Gold Medal for Humanitarianism. Mr. Turner was selected for his efforts to improve health, promote peace, and protect the environment. The award is administered by Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore) on behalf of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Bonn).

Libraries and museums. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (Washington), a federal agency, has announced the 2001 National Awards for Museum and Library Service, which honor institutions that have contributed to the economic, environmental, or social well-being of their communities. The winners are:

— Alaska Resources Library & Information Services (Anchorage), which took up the responsibility of preserving Alaskan natural and cultural artifacts and information when several other libraries closed or reduced their operations; it now possesses some of the largest collections for researchers and the public.

— Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose (Calif.), which has many art and science programs, including producing an online magazine for children’s and teenagers’ creative work and training teenage volunteers to instruct younger children.

— Hancock County Library System (Bay St. Louis, Miss.), which supplies this mainly rural county with Internet access to government information and other resources.

— Miami Museum of Science, which encourages students from low-income families to study scientific and mathematical fields by providing classes, mentors, and internships in local research laboratories.

— New England Aquarium (Boston), which has an array of educational programs for children and youths and works with Boston Public Schools to help teachers develop science curriculums.

— Providence Public Library (R.I.), which offers art and reading programs for children and hires teenagers to give patrons reading and computer assistance.

Literacy. Laubach Literacy (Syracuse, N.Y.) has given its 2001 Patricia Crail Brown Award for exemplary service as a literacy volunteer to George Anne (G’Anne) Sparks. Ms. Sparks has volunteered as a tutor and grant-proposal writer for literacy programs for 19 years. The Blue Ridge Literacy Council (Hendersonville, N.C.), the organization that nominated her for the award, will receive a $5,000 gift.

Volunteerism. Catholic Charities USA (Alexandria, Va.) has named Carol Frenette, a full-time volunteer in St. Paul, as the recipient of its National Volunteer of the Year Award. Ms. Frenette has donated more than 23,000 hours to the Dorothy Day Center (St. Paul) since 1987.