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The inaugural
recipient of the GRSP Alumni Service to Humanity Award is presented to
Dr. Peter Keith Harwood.
The Alumni Service to Humanity Award was created by The Georgia Rotary
Student Program (GRSP) Trustees to honor outstanding alumni who have
contributed to greater global understanding and peace through service to
humanity, and whose significant achievements have either enriched their
profession or vocation. With over 3,100 GRSP Alumni, it is time for us
to recognize one of them for significant achievements in their community
and world. Only former Georgia Rotary Student Program Scholars are
eligible for this alumni award after they have completed their student
year at least 10 years ago. One award may be given annually to a
qualified and deserving GRSP alumni who has made significant
contributions to their community and their profession.
The inaugural award recipient is a member of the class of 1962-1963,
sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marietta and attended the University of
Georgia. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1974 and his Masters of
Arts in 1976 from the University of Auckland. He went on to receive his
Doctor of Philosophy in 1987 from Monash University.
He has served a lifetime caring for the social needs of his community.
His experiences as Social Worker, Child Welfare Officer, Boys Home
Manager, and Community Programs Adviser led to his appointment as
Chairman of the Latrob Regional Commission responsible for the economic,
physical and social development of this Victorian State Authority. He
rose thru the ranks of academia at Gippsland Institute of Advanced
Education which later merged with Monash University from lecturer, to
Head of School of Social Sciences, to Professor and to Dean of Schools
of Business and Social Sciences. From 1992 to 2002 he was Dean of
Faculty of Arts and Professor of Social Sciences at Auckland University
of Technology, New Zealand (The Faculty of Arts included six school,
with approximately 10,000 students, 400 teaching staff in 80 programs
with 16 degrees. He then became Principal of Wanganui Universal College
of Learning in 2002 and later Project Consultant there until his
retirement in 2004. Even in Retirement he continues postgraduate
supervision of thesis students at Auckland university of Technology and
PhD examiner at Monash University.
He and his wife have been actively involved with the Maori culture. As
early as 1970 he established the first Citizens Advice Bureau in New
Zealand. This forum is a community based assistance and referral center
directing people to the proper assistance available to meet their
needs. Much of the focus is on the needs of the Maori people in New
Zealand. This first center has been modeled into over 100 like it in
New Zealand. He was most recently
made a MNZM(Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to
Māori and the community in June 2008.
He has
four children, two of whom are Phds. He has two
mokopuna. He has been
active as a player, coach and officer in the Ponsonby Rugby Club. He
also enjoys tennis, golf and rowing.
Peter returned home
and lived a life full of professional and community service. He has
made his part of the World a better place. I challenge you to go home
and make a serious and deliberate effort to make this world a better
place where “Peace is Possible.”
The award was presented by Dennis T. Still, Chair Emeritus at the annual
GRSP Conclave on August 22, 2008 in Americus, Georgia
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