The Elaine Szymoniak Award
The ELAINE SZymoniak Award is named in honor of the Iowa State Senator, Des Moines City Council Member and hearing and speech specialist known for her dedicated public service and great efforts to save the World Food Prize. Senator Szymoniak personally facilitated the connection between Dr. Norman Borlaug and John Ruan Sr. and was instrumental in having legislation crafted to fund and bring the World Food Prize to Iowa.This award is presented annually to a Borlaug-Ruan International Intern whose fulfillment of his or her research program at an international research center best exemplifies Senator Szymoniak's commitment to meet the needs of the community and dedicated efforts to promote education, health, economic development, equality and justice.
Established in 2001, this award was originally named in honor of Roberta Ahmanson for her generous endowment of the World Food Prize Foundation's youth programs, her dedication to educating Iowa youth, and her support for her home state of Iowa.
Award Winners by year:
