Gsolomon20’s Weblog

This cause is getting support and attention as several of its leading organizers are being honored with awards.

Dr. Barbara A. Frey, who singlehandedly enabled the campaign to thrive by adopting it into the Human Rights Program which she directs for the University of Minnesota, has been selected to the University’s highly prestigious Outstanding Community Service Award.

Campaign Chair Robyn Skrebes and Vice Chair Amelia Corl each have been awarded an Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship thanks to the support of Al and Ingrid Lenz and the Otto Bremer Foundation. Coordinator Daniel Lynx Bernard has been selected for the Mary A. McEvoy Award for Public Engagement and Leadership.

On April 22, Dr. Frey was given the Outstanding Community Service Faculty Award, the University’s highest recognition for public engagement or community service. It is awarded to members of the University community who have made significant, demonstrable contributions to society’s well-being” by “devoting their time, talents, and expertise to serve the public good.” This award recognizes not only Dr. Frey’s stewardship of the Save Yar Campaign/Yar’s Campaign to End Child Abduction, but also her leadership of a project to stop the desecration of Hmong burial sites in Thailand, for her work in the local arts community, and her many other contributions to community service. The Office of Public Engagement’s notification to Dr. Frey said: “Your work serves as a model for ways in which faculty members fulfill the University’s public-service, land-grant mission.”

Ameila and Robyn’s fellowships are through the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center.

Amelia’s fellowship will fund her work this summer with the Center for Victims of Torture on its anti-torture public policy campaign, developing materials for media and grassroots use. “The campaign aims to expand the United States’ growing anti-torture movement and mobilize the political will necessary to change U.S. policy” Amelia said.

Robyn’s fellowship will allow her to continue her work with Yar’s Campaign to End Child Abduction during a crucial stage in its maturation. “This summer, my goal will be to take Yar’s Campaign into the coming year,” Robyn said. “I will be particularly focused on developing the image of the campaign, building relationships with key actors, and seeking funds to grow the organization beyond the summer. I am very excited and thankful to have the opportunity continue my work with Yar’s Campaign to End Child Abduction. “

Robyn was also honorably mentioned for the Council of Graduate Students 2008 Leadership Award for her work on the Campaign.

Dan’s award is through the University of Minnesota Office of the President and is named in memory of the late professor of educational pscyhology, Mary McEvoy. The award is given annually to graduate and professional students who display leadership and public engagement above and beyond normal duties.