NYU Wagner alumna Jennifer Jones Austin Receives 2016 MLK Humanitarian Award

NYU Wagner alumna Jennifer Jones Austin (MS 1997) received the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from NYU at an inspiring ceremony Feb. 4.

“This award is a big deal to me, as an NYU Wagner alum,” and as the child of a civil rights activist, she said in a beautiful speech (go to 26:40 on the livestream video to watch it) as she accepted the award.

Ms. Jones Austin, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, explained she feels humbled to be recognized for work in progress, especially since so many others are just as deeply dedicated to advancing public service and the cause of justice.

 “As long as quality education, accessible health care, and stable and sustainable income and wages are out of reach for the poor, there is much work to be done,” Ms. Jones Austin said.

She was introduced movingly (at 23:40) by Wagner alumnus Monsignor Kevin Sullivan (PhD, 1995).

The award was just one of many highlights of MLK Week at NYU.