WPU Hosts World Food Prize Lecture and Welcomes Keynote Speaker
William Penn University
William Penn University invites all students, staff, faculty, and community members to attend the World Food Prize lecture on Tuesday, October 13, at 11:15 a.m. in the George Daily Auditorium. This year’s speaker is Nora Tobin, Executive Director of Self-Help International.
Self-Help International (SHI) works at the grassroots level to improve quality of life and increase the income of rural people by introducing appropriate, sustainable agricultural methods. Founded in 1959, SHI’s programs are designed to promote self-reliance with dignity and to create links between farmers and their communities. SHI carries out projects in Ghana and Nicaragua that introduce high protein corn (Quality Protein Maize) to improve crop yields and nutrition.
Nora Tobin is an Iowa native with a passion for travel and international development. Nora earned a BA in Political Science and International Studies from Iowa State University and is a recipient of the Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award as well as a member of the USA Today 2010 All-USA College Academic Team. While at Iowa State, Nora pursued her interests in the field of international development by completing internships focusing on food security with the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa, promoting public health and community development at the Office for Institutional HIV Prevention in Stellenbosch, South Africa, and by leading student groups on service trips to Uganda and Honduras. Nora spent two years working in the field of international education, administering exchange programs between universities in the USA and Africa through International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP) before continuing her own education abroad as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar. Nora earned a Master’s in International Peace Studies from Trinity College Dublin where she focused on the impact of tourism on economic development in post-conflict areas. Nora is an active member of the Cedar Falls New Generations Rotary Club and volunteers as a coach and judge for the Iowa State Bar Association’s Mock Trial program.
Since 1986, The World Food Prize has been the leading international award to recognize outstanding individuals who have made staggering contributions to improve the quality, quantity, or availability of food throughout the world. It recognizes contributions in any field involved in the world food supply including food and agricultural science and technology, manufacturing, marketing, nutrition, economics, poverty alleviation, political leadership and the social sciences.
The World Food Prize emphasizes the importance of a nutritious and sustainable food supply for all people. It is sponsored by businessman and philanthropist John Ruan. The World Food Prize was originally envisioned by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, winner of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in world agriculture. Beyond recognizing these recipients for their personal accomplishments, Borlaug saw the World Food Prize as a means of establishing role models who would inspire others.
William Penn University invites you to welcome Nora Tobin as the keynote speaker at the World Food Prize lecture on Tuesday, October 13, at 11:15 a.m. in the George Daily Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.
