Brown University News Bureau

The Brown University News Bureau

1995-1996 index

Distributed April 30, 1996
Contact: Tracie Sweeney

Philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein receives Brown President's Medal

The President's Medal, the highest award a Brown University president may bestow, was presented to Alan Shawn Feinstein during the 10th annual World Hunger Awards, which the Cranston, R.I., philanthropist, helped create at the University.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Philanthropist and community leader Alan Shawn Feinstein has received the President's Medal from Brown University President Vartan Gregorian. The medal is the highest honor a Brown president may bestow. The presentation was made during the10th annual Alan Shawn Feinstein World Hunger Awards April 25 on campus.

The President's Medal honors a person who has achieved distinction in a particular field, including education, scholarship, public service, the arts, or philanthropy. Awarded at the president's discretion, the medal recognizes individuals for their achievements without regard to their service or relationship to Brown. It has been awarded only twice before.

Feinstein "matches the measure of his concern for the problem of world hunger with his confident determination to promote and to fund those genuinely equipped to resolve the problem," Gregorian said during the ceremony.

It was Feinstein, of Cranston, R.I., who 10 years ago helped Brown University launch its World Hunger Program. The annual hunger awards that carry Feinstein's name provide public recognition for extraordinary efforts or contributions to the reduction of hunger in the world.

Feinstein is the author of the financial newsletter The Insider's Report and a former syndicated newspaper columnist. He has founded and helped to support many food pantries and soup kitchens and has contributed to a wide range of other charitable causes.

He has started a $3-million scholarship endowment for high school seniors dedicated to community and public service and has launched programs in this field at all levels of education.

Feinstein also is the author of several financial guides, a novel and several children's books. He received a B.S. degree from Boston University and an M.S. from Boston State Teachers College. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from Providence College and Johnson and Wales University, is the recipient of numerous humanitarian awards, and has been named to the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. He previously taught in Massachusetts and Rhode Island public schools.

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