|
Posted 04/10/02
Dartmouth's Tucker Foundation will present the first Lester B. Granger '18 award to Charles F. Dey '52 and Edward B. Marks '32 at a luncheon Saturday, April 13. The new, annual award honors Dartmouth alumni who have exhibited leadership and innovation while meeting community needs and benefiting an underserved population.
The late Lester Granger was one of three brothers who attended Dartmouth. His career included working as a teacher, coach, social worker and youth counselor, though he was best known for serving as the Executive Director of the Urban League for 20 years. A veteran of World War I, Granger was asked by President Roosevelt to be the Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy on Negro Personnel, and was nationally known for his leadership in eliminating racism and his attention to issues of poverty.
In 1947, Granger received the Navy's Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, and also was awarded the President's Medal for Merit from President Harry S. Truman. He became the first African-American to be nominated as President of the National Conference of Social Work in 1951, and in 1961 he was elected in Rome as the President of the International Conference of Social Work. In retirement, Granger taught at the college level as well as serving as a trustee for several colleges and nonprofit organizations. He remained an enthusiastic member of his Dartmouth class and actively participated in alumni activities and received an honorary degree from Dartmouth in 1946.
Charles F. Dey '52
Granger Award recipient Charles F. Dey '52 has dedicated his life to education, racial equality and public service. Following naval duty, Dey started his career as a teaching fellow and history instructor at Phillips Academy Andover before returning to Dartmouth in 1960 as Assistant Dean of the College. In 1962, he was a regional representative for the Peace Corps in the Philippine Islands as one of the Peace Corps' first in-country directors.
In 1963, Dey returned to Dartmouth as Associate Dean. At this time he also established Dartmouth's A Better Chance (ABC) summer transition program to help minority students qualify for private secondary schools. ABC is now a national program that has placed over 10,000 students in some of the nation's most academically competitive independent and public high schools. Dey became Dean of the Tucker Foundation in 1967. He initiated local poverty programs, collaboration with a black college in Alabama and educational opportunities for Native Americans. He developed Tucker Internships in rural and inner-city communities, including establishment of a Dartmouth Learning Center in Jersey City, N.J. This project gave Dartmouth students the opportunity to teach and mentor Jersey City students.
In 1973, Dey became the first head of the combined Choate School and Rosemary Hall. His priorities included increased access for students from all racial, religious and economic backgrounds, community service, and public/private collaboration. His legacy included dramatic increases in financial aid, service projects such as the annual Special Olympics and, in partnership with the Connecticut Association of Urban Superintendents, the Connecticut Scholars Program for talented students from urban public high schools.
After "retiring" in 1991, Dey launched the Start On Success (SOS) program for the National Organization on Disability. SOS provides paid internships for high-school students with disabilities, thereby helping at-risk young people to make the transition to employment or further education. Additionally, Dey has been a trustee, director or consultant for 11 institutions.
As a friend described him, "Charley Dey is one of a rare breed. A young student who dedicated his life to public service. An educator who worked ceaselessly for racial equality. An idealist living his ideals more than 50 years later. A man whose life is still making a difference." Dey received his Masters of Arts in Teaching from Harvard in 1957, and he and his wife Phoebe live in Old Lyme, Conn.
Edward B. Marks '32
Granger Award recipient Edward B. Marks '32 worked for more than 50 years in the field of international humanitarian assistance. His service for the United States government, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations included 15 years in Europe, Africa and Asia. Much of his career was devoted to refugee assistance and resettlement here and abroad. In the '60s, Marks worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) in West Africa, Asia and Washington D.C. He was the first recipient of AID's Distinguished Career Award. He transferred to UNICEF in 1971, serving as Emergency Desk Officer in New York and NGO Liason Officer in Geneva, until returning to AID in 1973. On retirement from federal service in 1971, he rejoined UNICEF as Deputy Director for the United Nations Year of the Child, and later as Liason Officer for the Year of the Disabled.
In 1985, Marks was designated Interim President of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF. He served on the Committee's Executive Committee and Board for six years. Since retiring, Marks has written two illustrated books about the United Nations. These are A World of Art: The United Nations Collection, and For a Better World: Posters from the United Nations. This second book was the basis for the UN Poster Exhibit that has toured New York and seven European countries and is now attracting viewers in Asia. Marks served for 10 years as Chairman of the U.S. Committee for Refugees, and the Immigration and Refugee Services of America. He was also Chair of the American Branch of International Social Service. He continues on the Board of the Refugee Committee and is also on the Board of the National Committee for an Effective Congress (NCEC).
A former coworker remarked, "Those who worked with him ... held Ed Marks in the highest esteem and admiration. He worked tirelessly to help refugees. Many of those who survived this period of homelessness, statelessness and deprivation owe their lives to his humanity and dedication." Marks earned a Master's degree from Columbia University in 1938. He is president of his Dartmouth class, which will celebrate its 70th Reunion in June. He and his wife, Vera J. Barad, live in Mill Valley, Calif., and New York City.
|
