WASHINGTON, March 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Each year, the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) selects an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to responsible conduct in service to receive its Public Integrity Award. This year's winner is the Virginia Tech Flint Water Study Team, which identified the lead crisis in Flint, Mich. Laurel Strom, a graduate student involved in the project, accepted the award on behalf of the Water Study Team on March 22 during ASPA's Annual Conference in Seattle.
"In reviewing a number of organizations eligible and nominated for the Award, one stood above all others in embodying public integrity: using one's expertise to advance the common good, even of strangers states away; empowering students at all program levels and faculty with specialized fields of expertise to come together for a public benefit; and reporting the truth to power although it was not politically prudent," said Carole Jurkiewicz, Editor in Chief of the journal, Public Integrity, and Chair of ASPA's 2016 Public Integrity Award Selection Committee. "The Virginia Tech Flint Water Study Team gave an objective voice to the claims of thousands that had been systematically suppressed and is an example of the public trust at its best. We are proud to honor their service."
More than 30 researchers, including undergraduates, graduate students, research scientists, tech staff and principal investigators, have been involved in the project, many of whom have volunteered their time to the project in addition to their studies simply because they want to.
"We've been honored by every award we've been given; just having recognition from the country that our work is impactful is a great honor. But knowing what a big organization ASPA is, seeing the values of this group and having people in this Society believe the things we're fighting for makes it great that we're being recognized," stated Strom. "This project has transformed our team; many of us want to pursue careers where we can support and serve the public. I'd like to express my gratitude for the recognition and for your dedication to the public welfare."
About ASPA: ASPA is the leading interdisciplinary public service organization that advances the art, science, teaching and practice of public and nonprofit administration. Learn more at www.aspanet.org
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SOURCE American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
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