Komen for the Cure® Founder Named Walker School of Business 2012 Person of the Year

Ambassador Nancy Brinker urges audience to wield their individual power of one

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ambassador Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Foundation, received the 2012 Person of the Year Award from Webster University's George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology today during a morning ceremony before students, cancer patients, survivors and loved ones in the university's new East Academic Building.  Brinker, a cancer survivor herself, received a standing ovation upon accepting the award from Webster President Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121010/DC90883 )

"I'm honored by this award from Webster University," said Ambassador Brinker, "and I'm deeply touched by today's outpouring of support for our mission to find a cure for breast cancer."

"Each year, the Walker School honors a dynamic leader who has impacted our society in the most positive ways," said Dr. Stroble. "This year, it is my honor to present an extraordinary woman whose legacy has assisted thousands of people right here in St. Louis."

Brinker's nephew Scott Komen, the son of Susan G. Komen, was in the audience as the ambassador spoke of her promise to her dying sister Susan to do everything possible to end the shame, pain, fear and hopelessness caused by the disease.   At that time, Brinker says, one of the biggest battles in promoting awareness was to change the country's culture which at the time did not allow activists to use the word "breast" when talking about the disease.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is now the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivor and activists, having invested almost $2 billion in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

"Cancer is like a bully on a playground that keeps coming back to take from us our family members, our friends, and our loved ones," said Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande, dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology, " Ambassador Brinker's leadership journey in fighting this foe has taken her onto high hills and into low valleys.  And despite the highs and the lows, Ambassador Nancy Brinker continues to move forward with her mission to make cancer the victim."

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses. Founded in 1915, Webster University's campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional residential campuses in Asia, Europe and North America. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.

Webster University's Walker School prepares lifelong learners for professional fulfillment in the fields of business and technology. It offers certificate, undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Walker School programs are delivered on every Webster University location around the world.

Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. The George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology is accredited by ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs) for all business and management programs.

SOURCE Webster University -- Saint Louis Campus