Five professors were awarded the Ann C. Rosenfield Distinguished Community Partnership Prize for their partnerships with community organizations on Tuesday night.
The awards were presented to professors in a wide range of disciplines, from theater to community health services, said Christopher Waterman, dean of the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture.
Each award included a $25,000 prize to be split between the nonprofit organization and the professor. The award can be used for any purpose, according to the program for the event.
Dr. Marjorie Kagawa-Singer, one of the Rosenfield award recipients, will use her award money to help fund a program in which youth will create a photograph voice project emphasizing the importance of nutrition and leading a healthy lifestyle.
This project will then be presented to the city council and hopefully aid in changing policy, she said.
Kagawa-Singer was awarded for her partnership with Families in Good Health at St. Mary’s Medical Center, which “involves research and advocacy for early cancer screening among underrepresented Asian communities,” according to the program for the awards ceremony.
Jose Luis Valenzuela was awarded a Rosenfield award for his partnership with the Latino Theater Company at The New Los Angeles Theater Center. His project focuses on preparing people of color to come to UCLA, specifically to study performing arts, as well as helping undergraduates move into the professional world of performing arts, Valenzuela said.
Dr. Joan Rosenbaum Asarnow was awarded for her partnership with Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services and their joint effort in preventing teen suicide.
Dr. Yoram Cohen and Committee to Bridge the Gap were awarded the Rosenfield award for their project that involved tackling environmental issues having to do with a site previously used for the development of nuclear reactors. This led to the passing of a bill to ensure proper cleanup of the area, as well as designating it as a state park, according to a press release.
Dr. Gail Wyatt was awarded for her partnership with To Help Everyone Clinic Inc., which focuses on women’s health. The press release details how the partnership involved incorporating Wyatt’s research into practices at the clinic.
In addition to the presentation of the Rosenfield awards, a special recognition award and a distinguished community leader award were presented.
Elise Buik, president and chief executive of United Way of Greater Los Angeles, was awarded the distinguished community leader award.
Buik is the first female president of United Way and during her first year there helped raise $56 million in their 2005-2006 fundraiser. She also helped United Way transform itself into a community-impact organization that determines social issues and finds solutions.
Chancellor Gene Block spoke to the audience at the awards ceremony and emphasized UCLA’s three-part mission of teaching, research and service, emphasizing the Rosenfield award’s focus on service. Block also said civic engagement is a priority of his administration.
This is the fifth year that the Rosenfield award has been in existence, during which over 100 partnerships have been awarded $3.35 million, he said.