The 2010 Founder's Day celebration on Monday, March 15th will be a landmark event for Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Georgia Tech, and the Atlanta community. William J. Todd, president and CEO of the Georgia Cancer Coalition, will be honored as the final recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service. This 10th anniversary Founder's Day also begins a new phase of the legacy of Ivan Allen, Jr. Georgia Tech President G. P. "Bud" Peterson will join Interim Dean Kenneth J. Knoespel in announcing plans to expand the Allen legacy across the entire Institute.

William J. Todd Named 2010 Recipient of the Ivan Allen, Jr. Prize for Progress & Service

William J. "Bill" Todd, president and CEO of the Georgia Cancer Coalition, will be the tenth recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service.

A Georgia Tech alumnus, Todd has devoted thirty-eight years to healthcare and technology management in Atlanta and currently leads the Georgia Cancer Coalition in efforts to make the state a national leader in cancer care and reduce cancer deaths among Georgians. Ivan Allen College Interim Dean Kenneth J. Knoespel highlighted Todd's embodiment of the values and principles of former Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr.

"Bill Todd is an extraordinary humanitarian and community leader. His accomplishments and steadfast commitment embody Mayor Allen's advocacy and compassion. It is our privilege to recognize his contributions to our community, state, and the world," said Knoespel.

Todd founded Encina Technology Ventures and was founding president of the Georgia Research Alliance. He has held administrative posts with Emory University, Grady Memorial Hospital, Wesley Woods, Emory Clinic, and Emory's School of Medicine and Woodruff Health Sciences Center. Throughout his career, Todd has served on the boards of some of Atlanta's most influential civic and business entities and in organizations that have provided strategic guidance for Georgia Tech. He has been honored in Northern Ireland for his work to further peace in that region.

Todd will be the tenth leader to receive the Ivan Allen Jr. Award for Progress and Service. The prize has been awarded annually to individuals associated with Georgia who have contributed to the progress and service of society through fields relevant to the curriculum of Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. Previous recipients have included former President Jimmy Carter, former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, Ted Turner, and CARE President and CEO Helene Gayle. A complete list of recipients, their biographies, and speeches may be viewed at the Founder's Day website.

The 2010 Founder's Day Program

This year's Founder's Day program will begin with a symposium 8:00-11:30am highlighting Georgia Tech's stewardship of the Allen legacy. As Mayor of Atlanta during the turbulent 1960s, Ivan Allen Jr. took a stand for racial integration. His advocacy made him a pariah among many of his social and political peers, but Allen courageously forged ahead and led Atlanta peacefully to racial integration. Humanitarian Leadership on a Global Level: Georgia Tech Responds to The Challenge of the Allen Legacy will feature four panels of distinguished faculty from across the College. Moderated by Susan Cozzens, Associate Dean of Research, the discussion will trace a decade of human centered teaching, research, and initiatives centering on Climate Change, Atlanta, Africa, and Security. The symposium is open to all Georgia Tech faculty, staff, and students.

The luncheon presenting the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress & Service to William J. Todd will begin at noon. President G. P. "Bud" Peterson and Dean Knoespel will announce plans to expand the Allen legacy across the entire Institute and the establishment of a new prize honoring Ivan Allen Jr.

Both the symposium and the luncheon will be held at The Biltmore. The luncheon is by invitation. Todd's acceptance speech, scheduled to begin a little before 1:00pm, is free and open to the public as space permits.

To learn more about Founder's Day, the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize, William J. Todd or program details, please visit the Founder's Day website.