Author Greg Mortenson declines University of Louisville's Grawemeyer education award
University of Louisville
September 19, 2011
Author Greg Mortenson has decided to decline the University of Louisville's prestigious Grawemeyer Award in Education.
Mortenson is author of “Three Cups of Tea” and “Stones into Schools.” He was selected for the award based on his efforts to build schools and educate children, especially girls, in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In declining the award, Mortenson called it “a great honor” to be selected for the prestigious award but said there are many other deserving individuals.
“I wish to humbly decline the Grawemeyer Award as a way to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of all those who have gone before us and those who continue to promote peace through education,” Mortenson said.
Mortenson had been scheduled to come to Louisville Sept. 23 to speak and accept the award. But in conversations with UofL Provost Shirley Willihnganz, he indicated that he no longer wished to accept it.