Trachtenberg, Abe Pollin, and Terence McAuliffe Head List of Honorees At Awards Dinner Thursday, June 6

WASHINGTON -- GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg has been named a “Father of the Year 2002” by the Father’s Day Council and American Diabetes Association.  Trachtenberg -- the father of two sons and a Type 2 diabetic -- is one of five Washington, D.C. dads who will be honored for being “exceptional fathers” at an awards dinner on Thursday, June 6 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel. 

“Steve Trachtenberg is devoted to his children and has shown a lifetime commitment to the children of others, through his support of education and his academic work,” said Horace Deets, former executive director of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and member of the “Father of the Year 2002” advisory committee.

The “Father of the Year” award recognizes men who are not only accomplished in their professional field of work, but are contributing members of the community and caring fathers.  The other dads being honored are: Terence R. McAuliffe, Chairman, Democratic National Committee; Abe Pollin, Chairman of the Board, Centre Group; Stanley Sporkin, U.S. District Court Judge (Retired) and Partner, Weil, Gotshal, and Manges LLP; and H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University.

“Over the course of the past year, the importance of family -- along with community and country -- have taken on deeper meaning for us all, “ said Trachtenberg.  “While I am honored to receive this award, I have to admit that being a good father, along with being a good husband and a good person are the highest priorities in my life -- and these priorities were instilled in me by my parents who set the standard I try to follow.”

Trachtenberg is the father of two sons: Adam Maccabee, who received a B.A. from Columbia University in 1997, and Ben Lev, who received a B.A. from Yale University in 2001.  Trachtenberg and his wife, Francine Zorn Trachtenberg, will be celebrating their 31^st wedding anniversary later this month.  Mrs. Trachtenberg is senior vice president at WETA, Washington, D.C.’s public television station.

Established in 1931 by businessmen, civic leaders, and concerned citizens, the Father’s Day Council was created with the initial objective to achieve universal observance of the then little-known holiday -- Father’s Day.  Today the Council continues through public service projects and partnerships with national philanthropic organizations. The proceeds from the “Father of the Year 2002” dinner will help benefit the American Diabetes Association, the nation’s leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information, and advocacy.  This is the second year that the Father’s Day Council and the American Diabetes Association have partnered to honor Washington, D.C.’s top dads.

Media interested in attending the “Father of the Year 2002” awards dinner on June 6 should contact Betty Digges at the American Diabetes Association, 202-331-8303, ext. 4527.

-- GW --

©2002 The George Washington University Office of University Relations, Washington, D.C.
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