The World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C., honored Marymount University with its Educator of the Year Award at the annual Global Education HONORS: Gala on March 29. The award, which recognizes the university’s commitment to global education, was accepted by Marymount President Matthew D. Shank.
“It is a tremendous honor for, and a testament to, our dedicated faculty, staff and students who strive daily to achieve the values of our vision that include intellectual curiosity, service to others and global perspective,” Dr. Shank said in accepting the award.
He noted that Marymount’s efforts — or even the university itself — would not be possible without the work of its founding order, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. He recognized four members of the order who serve on Marymount’s board of trustees: Sister Maria Timoney; Sister Martina Crowley; Sister Kathleen Connell and Sister Brigid Driscoll.
Marymount enrolls students from 76 countries. International students comprise 13 percent of the student body. The school’s popular Center for Global Education provides a wide variety of opportunities to study, research, volunteer and intern abroad. Over spring break, its Global Classroom Series offers opportunities that range from learning about macroeconomics in Prague, Czech Republic, to studying the politics of Western Europe in Strasbourg, France.
The gala’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a global nonprofit focused on inspiring individual action to improve the understanding, welfare and conservation of great apes and to safeguard the planet. She received the 2017 Global Ambassador Award.
In April 2015, the famed primatologist and humanitarian gave a talk, “Sowing the Seeds of Hope,” at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington that was organized by Marymount University. Proceeds from the event helped establish a new Marymount fund to promote volunteerism and community engagement through student and faculty-initiated programs.
Three other honorees were recognized with awards that exemplify the council’s mission to empower educators and students to effectively compete, communicate and lead in our multicultural nation and worldwide. They included: Blackboard Inc., Global Education Award; The Republic of Colombia, Distinguished Diplomatic Service Award; and The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Global Communications Award.
The World Affairs Council-Washington, D.C., founded in 1980, is a non-partisan, educational organization dedicated to informing and educating Americans about the international events and issues that impact the United States and its relations with the world. To learn more, visit .
Marymount University is an independent, coeducational Catholic university offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a wide range of disciplines. Visit its website at marymount.edu.
Photo captions
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When World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C., honored Marymount University with its Educator of the Year Award at the annual Global Education HONORS: Gala on March 29, Marymount President Matthew D. Shank said it was an honor and testament to the university’s faculty, staff and students who strive daily to achieve the values of Marymount’s vision that include intellectual curiosity, service to others and global perspective. He noted that none of that would be possible without the work of its founding order, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary.
(Photo courtesy of the National Press Club)
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Marymount University President Matthew D. Shank was presented the Educator of the Year Award by Gloria Bohan, a board member of the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C.
(Photo courtesy of the National Press Club)
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Marymount University’s Dr. Matthew D. Shank, Pat Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, H.E. Juan Carlos Pinzón, the Colombian ambassador to the United States, Dr. Jane Goodall, and Bill Ballhaus, president and CEO of Blackboard Inc.
