ST. PAUL, Minn. – (March 10, 2016) – The Minnesota Humanities Center is now accepting nominations for its 2016 Veterans’ Voices Award, recognizing Minnesota Veterans who served honorably in the military and have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their communities, in their professions, or in volunteerism. Veterans Voices is a statewide program of the Humanities Center that draws on the power of the humanities to call attention to the stories and contributions of Veterans, giving an authentic voice to the Veteran experience through play, art discussion groups, and the Veterans’ Voices Award.
The Humanities Center invites nominations of candidates who fall into one of two categories: On the Rise (40 and under) or Legacy (over 40). The Veterans’ Voices Award honors actively engaged former and current military service members who are thriving and making significant, positive contributions that improve the lives of people across Minnesota. Award nominations will be accepted today through June 3, 2016.
These Awards, now in their fourth year, will be presented at the Veterans’ Voices Award Ceremony to be held at the Anderson Student Center on the campus of St. Thomas University in St. Paul on September 11, 2016. WCCO-TV reporter and Veteran, Reg Chapman, will again emcee this event. Past award presenters include Governor Mark Dayton and Retired Major General Larry Shellito, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
According to David O’Fallon, President of the Minnesota Humanities Center, “The Veterans’ Voices Award celebrates the positive and essential role of the Veteran in the future of our state—they make outstanding contributions as community leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, artists, and more.”
Since 9/11/2001 more than 88,000 men and women from Minnesotan have been deployed and many have returned home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These Veterans are our neighbors, neighbors who defended the freedom of all Americans.
“Being honored with the Veterans’ Voices Award has meant I’ve been able to hear many wonderful Veteran stories as well as tell my own,” said Nick Swaggert, a Marine Corps Veteran and a 2015 Veterans’ Voices Awardee. “Sharing our stories and working with the next generation of Veterans is both a continuation of our service and a moral obligation. I would encourage those positively impacted by a Veteran to nominate someone whose story should be heard. Only then will people understand our world.”
Veterans’ Voices strives to solidify a network of Veterans and civilians, brings Minnesota Veterans together through the humanities, and forms a public narrative that affirms Veterans as positive leaders in our communities.
Nominations must include answers to questions detailing a candidate’s contributions and reasons they exemplify the mission and values of the Humanities Center. Two information sessions will be hosted for interested nominators, covering eligibility requirements and qualifiers and providing tips for completing the nomination form. An In-person Information Session will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Humanities Center in St. Paul, and an OnlineWebinar Information Session will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.
For more information about the Veterans’ Voices Award nomination process and upcoming information sessions visit mnhum.org/vets.
Nominations may be submitted online at www.mnhum.org/vets or by mail to:
Minnesota Humanities Center
2015 Veterans’ Voices Award
987 Ivy Avenue East
Saint Paul, MN 55106
All nominations must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 3, 2016. Nominees selected to receive an award will be notified by Friday, July 8, 2016. Details about the nomination and past Veterans’ Voices awardees are available at mnhum.org/vets.
