NSHSS Foundation Presents World Betterment Award

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2014

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Honorees Include: Laura Turner Seydel, Captain Planet Foundation; Dr. William E. Evans, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; And Arne Duncan, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and current U.S. Secretary of Education

ATLANTA, November 17, 2014 – On Saturday, December 6, 2014, Claes Nobel, senior member of the esteemed Nobel family and founder of the National Society of High School Scholars Foundation, will present the 2014 Claes Nobel World Betterment Award to Laura Turner Seydel, Chairperson of Captain Planet Foundation; Dr. William E. Evans, former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and Arne Duncan, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and current U.S. Secretary of Education.

The Claes Nobel World Betterment Award was established in 2013 to honor outstanding role models for today’s millennials, recognizing individuals who are making exceptional contributions to the promotion of global unity and cultural understanding in their own particular area of influence. Through the Award, the NSHSS Foundation seeks to inspire leadership and value for humankind among diverse young people around the world.

“I firmly believe that the key to a better future is through educating and encouraging young people to achieve their full potential. The World Betterment Award recognizes dedicated individuals who have not only reached great heights themselves but who are committed to empowering those around them to follow in their footsteps,” said Mr. Nobel, senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes.

The 2014 Honorees were chosen based on their lifetime dedication and commitment to ethics, inclusion, and making a positive impact throughout their professional and personal lives.

Laura Turner Seydel is an environmentalist and humanitarian devoted to educating youth internationally on sustainable, eco-conscious living. In addition to Chairperson of Captain Planet Foundation, Laura is a director of the Environmental Working Group, a co-founder of Mothers and Others for Clean Air, and she co-founded Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. She also serves on foundation boards for the Jane Smith Turner Foundation, The Turner Foundation, and the Turner Endangered Species Fund. Laura continues to lead a life of service as she relentlessly advocates for global environmental education and involvement.

Dr. William E. Evans retired as President and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in July 2014. He returned full time to his laboratory to continue research on the pharmacogenomics of anticancer agents with an emphasis on childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. During Dr. Evans’ 10-year tenure as CEO, St. Jude achieved the best survival rates for some of the most aggressive childhood cancers. St. Jude is known for having an indelible mark on the improved survival and quality of life for children with cancer and for families never receiving a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food. Not surprisingly, the hospital has been recognized by members of NSHSS as their top employer of choice.

Arne Duncan is honored for the 2014 Claes Nobel World Betterment Award for his dedication to making this world a better place through his endeavors to ensure that all young people receive equality in education. He fulfilled these accomplishments in his earlier work directing the non-profit education foundation Ariel Education Initiative, in his former role as the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, as well as in his current role as the U.S. Secretary of Education.

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About the NSHSS Foundation: The NSHSS Foundation was founded in 2004 by Claes Nobel, senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, and James W. Lewis, President of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).  The NSHSS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity dedicated to supporting education in the form of scholarships for under-represented students in STEM career majors, as well as business, economics, and public policy career majors. The Foundation recognizes the need to produce more graduates in these fields in order to meet the demands of an ever-changing global economy and society to create a better future for all. For more information visit http://www.nshssfoundation.org. 

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