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Russ Lovell, professor of law at Drake University Law School, has been chosen as Iowa Juneteenth Observance’s Citizen of the Year, one of the most prestigious honors the organization can bestow on an individual.
The honor is presented to individuals across the state who have done extraordinary work to better the community, particularly those areas disproportionately impacted by such things as unemployment or job discrimination. Much of Lovell’s focus has been in the areas of civil rights and equal opportunity employment.
Professor Lovell’s professional commitment to civil rights and racial and gender equality has been longstanding and has been the basis for numerous civil rights and public service awards including: NAACP President’s Award for Outstanding Community Service, the NAACP Trailblazer Award, and the NAACP Foot Soldiers in the Sand Award.
In addition, Professor Lovell received the Excellence in Service Award given by Iowa Legal Aid. In 1998, he received Drake University’s Madelyn Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award. He has also been recognized by the Des Moines Black Ministerial Alliance, the Drake Black Law Student Association, the Drake Latino Law Student Association, and by the Des Moines Register.
“Professor Lovell is indeed an asset to our state and deserving as the 2013 Iowa Juneteenth Observance Citizen of the Year,” says Gary Lawson, state advocate for Iowa Juneteenth Observance.
Lovell will be honored at an award banquet on June 6, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Downtown’s Top of the Tower, 7 p.m.
More information about Iowa Juneteenth Observance can be found at http://www.iowajuneteenth.org/events.htm.