Camarillo, Calif., March 8, 2010 – CSU Channel Islands announced Steven M. Hilton, CEO and President of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, as the first recipient of the Yunus Social Innovation Medal presented by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and founder of the renowned Grameen Bank, at a ceremony launching the new California Institute for Social Business at California State University Channel Islands.
Professor Yunus will participate in the strategic direction of the new institute, the first of its kind in the nation. Professor Yunus sees it as the next step in global social transformation efforts following the success of the microcredit movement that he founded. Students will be encouraged to work and study in social businesses around the world. These are businesses which have been created to solve a social problem where investors may have their money returned, but the profits are reinvested to sustain the projects. The Social Innovation Medal will be awarded annually by Professor Yunus in conjunction with CSU Channel Islands.
“Steve Hilton is a leader who has worked for social change throughout his life,” said Richard R. Rush, president of CSU Channel Islands in announcing the prize. “He was chosen by Professor Yunus for his longstanding commitment to social transformation.”
“It is a great honor to be selected by Professor Yunus for this award,” said Hilton. In accepting the medal, he added, “My grandfather, Conrad Hilton, was recognized worldwide for his entrepreneurial genius. We at the Hilton Foundation strive to emulate that same creative, entrepreneurial approach by investing in strong organizations whose bottom line is lives improved. It is only through the work of our grantee partners that our foundation is able to make a difference. And in that spirit, I accept this medal, recognizing whatever success we have achieved is through the hard work and selfless efforts of our grantees.”
As CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Steven Hilton is carrying on the philanthropic legacy begun by his grandfather, the late hotel entrepreneur Conrad Hilton who left his fortune to the foundation. During his 25-year career at the foundation, Hilton advanced from program assistant to president in 1998 and CEO in 2005. He oversees the worldwide humanitarian work of the foundation, which since its inception has disbursed more than $800 million to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people throughout the world.
For media inquiries contact Nancy Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands at 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.
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CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.