The Peter E. Haas Public Service Award
Celebrating Public Service at Berkeley
The Peter E. Haas Public Service Award was established by Mrs. Peter E. Haas on the occasion of her husband’s 80th birthday. Its purpose if to honor an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley who, through his or her personal efforts, has made a significant voluntary public contribution within the boundaries of the United States. The focus is on four major areas: community service, health care, environmental work, and education. The award seeks to recognize activity at the grassroots level and illustrate the impact that an individual can have on society through creative social change.
2007 Recipient: Washington Burns
Dr. Washington Burns B.S. ’52, B.A.’57, M.D. is the executive director of the Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement. Serving entirely as a volunteer, he has spent a decade working to improve the lives of low-income residents in the West Oakland neighborhood that he once called home. Under his determined leadership, the center offers numerous programs in the areas of youth and families, health and wellness, education and training, and arts and culture. Dr. Burns is often credited with developing the center singlehandedly.
It would not be unusual to find Dr. Burns making lunches for children, lobbying for an asthma clinic, writing grants to shore up the center’s funding, or staffing the concession stand at a theatrical performance. Such unending acts of compassion have garnered him several recognitions, including the Jefferson Award given by the American Institute for Public Service.
Dr. Burns earned degrees in public health and physiology from UC Berkeley and a medical degree from the University of Buffalo. In 2000, he retired as the medical director of a clinical lab at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, where he had worked for 34 years.
The Peter E. Haas Public Service Award Presentation and Lecture
"Hope in the ’Hood"
Delivered Washington Burns B.S. ’52, B.A. ’57, M.D.
2007 recipient of The Peter E. Haas Public Service Award
Saturday, April 12, 2008
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Morrison Reading Room, Doe Library
For special accommodations or questions, please call Emilie Cravens at 510.642.3805.
April 12 is Cal Day.
Direct nomination packets to:
The Peter E. Haas Public Service Award Committee
University Relations
2080 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94720-4200
Direct questions to:
University Events and Ceremonies
University Relations
510.643.7003
