*Public servant receives Prentis Award*
County administrator and public servant of James City County Sanford “Sandy” B. Wanner has been named this year’s recipient of the College of William and Mary’s Prentis Award, according to a press release. College President Taylor Reveley will present the award during a reception at the Wren Building May 5.
The annual Prentis Award is given to a citizen whose civic involvement benefits the community and the College. The award derives its name from the Williamsburg family whose 18th century shop on Duke of Gloucester Street was a hub of colonial life.
*William and Mary students make historic discovery*
A group of College students came across piles of 1920s and 30s documents in the attic of the St. Luke Building in Richmond. The documents were from the businesses owned by the Independent Order of St. Luke, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of African-Americans during the Jim Crow era.
The documents include letters from Maggie L. Walker, insurance papers and rare copies of the organization’s newspaper. Walker, a black woman who worked to improve the lives of other black women, was the first woman to found a bank in the United States.
*Actor narrates book by graduate student*
Actor Rider Strong was selected to narrate the audiobook “The Obama Revolution” by Alan Kennedy-Shaffer J.D. ’09, according to a press release. The book was released by Phoenix Books and Audio and is available at major bookstores and online.
Strong is best known for his roles in the hit TV sitcom “Boy Meets World” and the movie “Cabin Fever.” He supported President Barack Obama through his campaign, and co-created a 30-second television advertisement in support of Obama entitled “It Could Happen to You.” The ad was submitted to a MoveOn.org contest, where it was cited as one of the funniest ads entered into the contest. The ad appeared on MTV and Comedy Central.
“The Obama Revolution” is the first book to be written by a campaign staffer. The book about the ‘08 election explores how a generation of believers and the politics of “hope” won the presidency for Obama.
*Business forum airs this weekend*
A forum hosted by faculty of the College of William and Mary’s Mason School of Business entitled “Understanding the Financial Crisis, Part 2,” will be aired this weekend in the City of Williamsburg on local cable channel 48. The forum took place in late March. Mason clinical professor of entrepreneurship and private equity entrepreneurship Dick Ash moderated the event.
City programming is also cast on the channel 48 website. The forum is scheduled to air at 6 p.m. today. It will air again at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
