2009 Atlas Award featuring remarks by Steve Forbes

On Tuesday, December 15, 2009, the Council hosted its 2009 Atlas Award Program for excellence in education at the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker building.

Keynote remarks were given by Steve Forbes, President and CEO of Forbes and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine.

In 1998, the World Affairs Council created the Atlas Award, which recognizes those distinguished Philadelphia-area leaders whose achievements and generosity embody the ideals articulated in the World Affairs Council’s maxim: “In a democracy, agreement is not essential; participation is.” Funds raised through this event support the Council’s education programs that annually serve 2,600 students in 250 schools throughout the Philadelphia region.

The Council also presented its 2009 Excellence in Education Awards to an area teacher and two students who have shown dedication to the mission of the World Affairs Council and who are committed global citizens in word and action.

The 2009 Atlas Award honoree, Jayne B. Garrison, has been serving the nonprofit educational community since 1955 and has been active in developing educational opportunities for underserved students to learn and succeed and to improving student life, health and human resources though the years. She is a long time member of the Board of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and has been a guiding force and sponsor of the Council’s Student Education Programs.

The 2009 Excellence in Education Award recipients were:
Ms. Nicole Roper, Faculty member, West Catholic High School; Miss Monea Frazier, 12th grade, Bodine High School for International Affairs; and Mr. Namir Shah, 12th grade, Eastern Regional High School.

The Council is grateful to its 60th anniversary presenting sponsors for this event: Bill and Leslie MacDonald and The Mill Spring Doundation, The Satell Center for Executive Education and the Sabina and Raza Bokhari Foundation.