Grinnell College Seeks Nominations for $100,000 Grinnell Prize by Dec. 1

GRINNELL, IA — Grinnell College welcomes nominations through Monday, Dec. 1, for the 2015 Grinnell Prize, a $100,000 award presented to innovators generating positive social change.

The largest prize for social justice awarded by a U.S. college drew more than 200 nominations from 34 countries in 2014.

Nominations for the 2015 Grinnell College Innovator for Social Justice Prize are open to both U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries. Nominees must have earned a bachelor's degree no more than 15 years prior to their nomination. Details about the prize and nomination process are available at www.grinnell.edu/grinnellprize.

“The Grinnell Prize reflects our college's longstanding commitment to educating individuals who will make the world a better place,” says Grinnell College President Raynard S. Kington. “Our students benefit greatly from interacting with Grinnell Prize recipients in the classroom and in informal settings on campus.”

The selection committee for 2015 will pick up to two winners. Each winner will receive $100,000, with half awarded to the individual and half to the individual's organization.

The 2014 Grinnell Prizes were presented in October to:

  • Lindsay Stradley and Ani Vallabhaneni of Sanergy, which improves sanitation and public health in Kenya by building and franchising low-cost, high-quality toilets.
  • Adam Kircher and Kiah Williams of SIRUM, which saves lives by distributing unopened, unexpired medications to patients who can't afford their prescriptions.

About the Grinnell Prize
The Grinnell Prize directly reflects Grinnell's historic mission to educate individuals “who are prepared in life and work to use their knowledge and their abilities to serve the common good.” The program has attracted nominations spanning a diverse array of social issues, including hunger, education, the environment, housing, GLBT, public health and global peace.

About Grinnell College
Since its founding in 1846, Grinnell has become one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges, enrolling 1,600 students from all 50 states and from as many international countries. Grinnell's rigorous academic program emphasizes excellence in education for students in the liberal arts; the college offers the B.A. degree in a range of departments across the humanities, arts and sciences. Grinnell has a strong tradition of social responsibility and action, and self-governance and personal responsibility are key components of campus life. More information about Grinnell College is available at www.grinnell.edu.

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