By: Julianna M. Klose
barry-news@mail.barry.edu
Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD has named May 19 Ambassador Jean Wilkowski Day at Barry University, following an official proclamation from Miami-Dade Mayor, Carlos Alvarez.
Ambassador Wilkowski was named a recipient of the 2009 Barry University Laudare Medal for outstanding service, and will officially receive the award May 19, due to her absence from the university’s Founders’ Ball in January.
In 1941, during the university’s first year, Wilkowski began what was her first job at then Barry College for Women. She became an all-purpose staffer; teaching physical education, journalism and running the college’s fledgling public relations office.
Inspired by her Catholic background and education, she followed an ethic of faith and service through a 35-year diplomatic career with the U.S. Department of State, becoming the first woman ambassador to an African country and first woman acting ambassador in Latin America.
Wilkowski’s service led her to assignments throughout the globe, working in nine countries on three continents before her retirement in 1980. For much of her career, Wilkowski specialized in protecting and promoting U.S. trade and investment interests in posts such as Paris, Milan, Santiago and Geneva. Her professional compassion led her to humanitarian service, particularly in later posts in Latin America and Southern Africa.
Ambassador Wilkowski has been honored by the Order of Malta, received six honorary degrees, including one from Barry University, and is the only woman to receive the Foreign Service Cup from the Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired (DACOR).
She served on Barry University’s Board of Trustees for 10 years and established the Ambassador Jean Wilkowski International Fellowship at the university. The fellowship is given once a year to a single faculty member conducting research or performing service abroad, and stipulates that the university community benefit from the international experience of recipients.
Recipients of the fellowship, which has taken faculty members to countries such as South Africa, Ireland, Ukraine, China and The Netherlands, will meet Wilkowski at the May 19 luncheon. The program will include the presentation of the Laudare Medal, as well as the proclamation from Mayor Carlos Alvarez.
barry-news@mail.barry.edu
Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD has named May 19 Ambassador Jean Wilkowski Day at Barry University, following an official proclamation from Miami-Dade Mayor, Carlos Alvarez.
Ambassador Wilkowski was named a recipient of the 2009 Barry University Laudare Medal for outstanding service, and will officially receive the award May 19, due to her absence from the university’s Founders’ Ball in January.
In 1941, during the university’s first year, Wilkowski began what was her first job at then Barry College for Women. She became an all-purpose staffer; teaching physical education, journalism and running the college’s fledgling public relations office.
Inspired by her Catholic background and education, she followed an ethic of faith and service through a 35-year diplomatic career with the U.S. Department of State, becoming the first woman ambassador to an African country and first woman acting ambassador in Latin America.
Wilkowski’s service led her to assignments throughout the globe, working in nine countries on three continents before her retirement in 1980. For much of her career, Wilkowski specialized in protecting and promoting U.S. trade and investment interests in posts such as Paris, Milan, Santiago and Geneva. Her professional compassion led her to humanitarian service, particularly in later posts in Latin America and Southern Africa.
Ambassador Wilkowski has been honored by the Order of Malta, received six honorary degrees, including one from Barry University, and is the only woman to receive the Foreign Service Cup from the Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired (DACOR).
She served on Barry University’s Board of Trustees for 10 years and established the Ambassador Jean Wilkowski International Fellowship at the university. The fellowship is given once a year to a single faculty member conducting research or performing service abroad, and stipulates that the university community benefit from the international experience of recipients.
Recipients of the fellowship, which has taken faculty members to countries such as South Africa, Ireland, Ukraine, China and The Netherlands, will meet Wilkowski at the May 19 luncheon. The program will include the presentation of the Laudare Medal, as well as the proclamation from Mayor Carlos Alvarez.