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JU Recognizes Dr. Makaziwe Mandela with 2019 Presidential Global Citizen Award

Jacksonville University is known as a forum for vibrant conversations on significant social, political and business topics. In line with that vitally important role, JU will award its 2019 Presidential Global Citizen Award to global human rights activist Dr. Makaziwe Mandela.

Dr. Mandela, the eldest daughter of Nelson Mandela, has continued her father’s work on inclusion and equality and will be in Jacksonville to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18, which would be his 101st birthday. Dr. Mandela will be honored with a community award ceremony and luncheon at Jacksonville University.

“We are honored to celebrate Dr. Makaziwe Mandela’s global activism at a time when the world needs people who act with positive intent, who are willing to work together, and who can find creative solutions to our most pressing problems,” said Jacksonville University President Tim Cost. “Dr. Mandela is a passionate advocate for ending global poverty, and she reminds us of the power of fully engaging on issues that matter.”

After studying in South Africa, Dr. Mandela received her master’s degree in sociology and Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She has held senior positions at the at the University of the Witwatersrand, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and the Industrial Development Group in South Africa. She is the co-founder and chair of House of Mandela, an organization that continues Nelson Mandela’s work towards unity and compassion across global races, religions, and genders.

The public is invited to a free, community-wide Presidential Global Citizen Award Ceremony at 11 a.m. at Terry Concert Hall, Jacksonville University, 2800 University Blvd North, Jacksonville, FL 32211. RSVP is required by July 8 to events@ju.edu or at https://www.ju.edu/globalcitizen/. Tickets to an intimate luncheon featuring a Q&A session with Dr. Mandela are also available. Ticket purchases support the charter formation of the Mandela Family Scholarship Endowment at Jacksonville University.

About the Jacksonville University Presidential Global Citizen Award

The Jacksonville University Presidential Global Citizen Award is presented to an extraordinary, visionary leader whose impact is felt well beyond the bounds of their recognized responsibilities. This unique individual fully embodies the University’s ideal of fostering globally engaged citizens, bringing to bear their exceptional talents to create new opportunities to lead, live, and learn. Previous award recipients are former PepsiCo chairwoman, president and CEO Indra Nooyi and legendary filmmaker and historian Ken Burns.

By Melanie Cost