Team Rubicon Founders Jacob Wood and William McNulty Will Visit Grinnell College February 22-27 to Receive Grinnell Prize
News Releases 2013-03-15
Summary:
Jacob Wood and William McNulty, the founders of Team Rubicon, had planned to be at Grinnell College in mid-November to receive the Grinnell Prize.
Instead, duty called.
When Hurricane Sandy slammed into the East Coast, knocking down power lines and wreaking devastation along the Atlantic coastline, Team Rubicon mobilized its largest-ever relief effort, coordinating 300 U.S. veterans who assisted with disaster relief in 10 states. Their work was widely praised. "The veteran volunteers of Team Rubicon utilized the skills they cultivated on the battlefield--leadership, risk assessment, teamwork, and decisive leadership--to provide relief to the thousands affected by the storm," said Jake Wood, Team Rubicon co-Founder and president.
With the bulk of that work now behind them, Wood and McNulty have rescheduled their Grinnell Prize visit. The two young leaders will be on campus from Friday, Feb. 22, to Wednesday, Feb. 27, to meet with students, talk with the public about Team Rubicon's work—and to receive the Grinnell Prize.
Public Events While in Grinnell, Wood and McNulty will participate in four public events.
Roundtable on Non-Profit Management Friday, Feb. 22 Noon Alumni Recitation Hall 302 The panel will feature 2012 Grinnell Prize co-winners Jacob Wood and William McNulty (Team Rubicon) and Linus Liang (Embrace and Embrace Innovations), along with Arlene McAtee (executive director of Mid-Iowa Community Action) and Julie Gosselink (president and CEO of the Ahrens Family Foundation). The panel will be moderated by Chris Hunter, professor of sociology at Grinnell College. Lunch will be provided; no RSVP is required. Questions may be directed to the Prize Office at saxtonc@grinnell.edu.
Lunch with Jacob Wood & William McNulty Monday, Feb. 25 Noon "Whale Room," Marketplace Dining Pavilion, Joe Rosenfield '25 Center A sign-in sheet will be provided for anyone not on the meal plan. Questions may be directed to the Prize Office at saxtonc@grinnell.edu.
"Team Rubicon: Military Veterans and Emergency Response" Monday, Feb. 25 4:15 p.m. Faulconer Gallery With Robert Polidori's photographs of Hurricane Katrina as a backdrop, Team Rubicon founders Jacob Wood and William McNulty will describe their work using teams of U.S. military veterans to provide disaster relief. Wood and McNulty also will be presented with their 2012 Grinnell Prize medals and commemorative artwork to honor their work finding new ways for military veterans to use their skills to continue to serve others. Co-sponsored by the Grinnell Prize, Rosenfield Program and Faulconer Gallery. This event will be streamed live at http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/studentaffairs/chaplain/socialjusticepri....
All-Campus Reception Monday, Feb. 25 5:30 p.m. Bucksbaum Rotunda
About Team Rubicon Team Rubicon unites the skills and experience of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations. TR offers veterans a chance to continue their service by helping and empowering those afflicted by disasters, and also themselves. For more about Team Rubicon, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.
About the Grinnell Prize Established by Grinnell in 2010, the Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated leadership in their fields and who show creativity, commitment and extraordinary accomplishment in bringing about positive social change. Each of the 2012-13 recipients, selected from more than 300 nominations from 45 countries, will receive $100,000, half of which will go to the individuals and half to their respective organizations. In addition to public presentations, award winners will meet with students, faculty and staff in classes and informal settings to discuss their approach to social justice, sources of inspiration and success in overcoming obstacles.
"Social justice has been an integral part of the Grinnell mission since our founding in 1846. It contributes to our academic programs and culture on campus, and it inspires our alumni throughout their lives," explained Grinnell President Raynard Kington. "The Grinnell College Y