UNIVERSITY PARK — A man working to improve global health security while battling the movement of debilitating, and sometimes fatal, diseases received the Humanitarian of the Year award, presented annually by Kish Bank. This year, the award was sponsored by Centre County Gazette.
The award was given during the bank’s annual community celebration on June 21.
As a self-described ‘simple scientist,’ Peter Hudson, Willaman Professor of Biology at Penn State, has been working with experts in countries in Central and South America, India and Africa, to identify infectious diseases and how they are spreading through the human population — an ever-growing population that’s contributing to the effect of these deadly diseases.
“Right now, the world’s primary concern should be overpopulation,” said Hudson.
“Our motivation is simple. How can we reduce human suffering, improve global health and, at the same time, reduce the impact on the natural environments?” he said. “The answer, of course, is to reduce the rate at which the global population is increasing. … This is best done through educating a higher proportion of women and men, and helping to build in-country capability. Education and research are at the center of what we do.”
Hudson was presented the award by William P. Hayes, chairman and CEO of Kish Bank and Kish Bankcorp. During his introduction, Hayes applauded Hudson’s research of tracking infectious disease in the worldwide animal population and applying that knowledge to how those diseases spread from animals to humans.
Prior to the awarding of the Humanitarian of the Year, Penn State basketball men’s coach Pat Chambers and women’s coach Coquese Washington pumped adrenaline through the crowd, telling stories of the importance of how the Penn State, State College and Centre County communities impacted their programs, cheering during times of success and offering motivation during the not-so-good times. Both discussed the involvement of the community in their respective programs.
The community theme continued when Hayes announced the 2018 Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year Award, presented to The Arc of Centre County, PA, Inc. and Strawberry Fields.
The Arc began in 1953 and aids people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Strawberry Fields took root in 1972 and focuses on improving the lives of children with intellectual difficulties.
Hayes also recognized award nonprofit finalist Huntingdon County PRIDE Inc. and Relay for Life of Mifflin/Juniata.
Also during the event, Washington presented a $142,441.01 check on behalf of Pink Zone to representative of four area hospitals: Mount Nittany Medical Center, Penn State Health’s Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Geisinger Hospital and J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital.
The final award of the evening went to Denise Quinn, who was presented the Kish Community Impact Award. This award is given annually to a Kish Bank employee for his or her outstanding commitment to the community.
