Jacob Wood and William McNulty, the founders of Team Rubicon, had planned to be at Grinnell College in mid-November to receive the Grinnell Prize.
Instead, duty called.
When Hurricane Sandy slammed into the East Coast, knocking down power lines and wreaking devastation along the Atlantic coastline, Team Rubicon mobilized its largest-ever relief effort, coordinating 300 U.S. veterans who assisted with disaster relief in 10 states. Their work was widely praised. "The veteran volunteers of Team Rubicon utilized the skills they cultivated on the battlefield--leadership, risk assessment, teamwork, and decisive leadership--to provide relief to the thousands affected by the storm," said Jake Wood, Team Rubicon co-Founder and president.
With the bulk of that work now behind them, Wood and McNulty have rescheduled their Grinnell Prize visit. The two young leaders will be on campus from Friday, Feb. 22, to Wednesday, Feb. 27, to meet with students, talk with the public about Team Rubicon's work—and to receive the Grinnell Prize.
Public Events
While in Grinnell, Wood and McNulty will participate in four public events.
Roundtable on Non-Profit Management
Friday, Feb. 22
Noon
Alumni Recitation Hall 302
The panel will feature 2012 Grinnell Prize co-winners Jacob Wood and William McNulty (Team Rubicon) and Linus Liang (Embrace and Embrace Innovations), along with Arlene McAtee (executive director of Mid-Iowa Community Action) and Julie Gosselink (president and CEO of the Ahrens Family Foundation). The panel will be moderated by Chris Hunter, professor of sociology at Grinnell College. Lunch will be provided; no RSVP is required. Questions may be directed to the Prize Office at saxtonc@grinnell.edu.
Lunch with Jacob Wood & William McNulty
Monday, Feb. 25
Noon
"Whale Room," Marketplace Dining Pavilion, Joe Rosenfield '25 Center
A sign-in sheet will be provided for anyone not on the meal plan. Questions may be directed to the Prize Office at saxtonc@grinnell.edu.
"Team Rubicon: Military Veterans and Emergency Response"
Monday, Feb. 25
4:15 p.m.
Faulconer Gallery
With Robert Polidori's photographs of Hurricane Katrina as a backdrop, Team Rubicon founders Jacob Wood and William McNulty will describe their work using teams of U.S. military veterans to provide disaster relief. Wood and McNulty also will be presented with their 2012 Grinnell Prize medals and commemorative artwork to honor their work finding new ways for military veterans to use their skills to continue to serve others. Co-sponsored by the Grinnell Prize, Rosenfield Program and Faulconer Gallery. This event will be streamed live at http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/studentaffairs/chaplain/socialjusticepri....
All-Campus Reception
Monday, Feb. 25
5:30 p.m.
Bucksbaum Rotunda
About Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon unites the skills and experience of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations. TR offers veterans a chance to continue their service by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters, and also themselves. For more about Team Rubicon, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.
About the Grinnell Prize
Established by Grinnell in 2010, the Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated leadership in their fields and who show creativity, commitment and extraordinary accomplishment in bringing about positive social change. Each of the 2012-13 recipients, selected from more than 300 nominations from 45 countries, will receive $100,000, half of which will go to the individuals and half to their respective organizations. In addition to public presentations, award winners will meet with students, faculty and staff in classes and informal settings to discuss their approach to social justice, sources of inspiration and success in overcoming obstacles.
"Social justice has been an integral part of the Grinnell mission since our founding in 1846. It contributes to our academic programs and culture on campus, and it inspires our alumni throughout their lives," explained Grinnell President Raynard Kington. "The Grinnell College Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize and Symposium program underscores our deep commitment to fostering positive social change." More information is available at www.grinnell.edu/GrinnellPrize.
About Team Rubicon's visit to Grinnell
Details about Team Rubicon's visit are available at http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/studentaffairs/chaplain/socialjusticepri... Team Rubicon's visit to Grinnell College is co-sponsored by the college's Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations and Human Rights. For additional information about symposium events, contact Sarah Purcell, director of the Rosenfield Program, purcelsj@grinnell.edu, 641-269-3091. Grinnell welcomes the participation of people with disabilities. Information on parking and accessibility is available on the college website. Accommodation requests may be made to Conference Operations at 641-269-3235 or calendar@grinnell.edu.
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.
