Naftalin Public Service Award

The Naftalin fund was created by the University of Minnesota Class of 1939 to honor of Professor Naftalin for his great dedication to community involvement and participatory governance. Art Naftalin was a professor of public affairs and planning at the Humphrey School until his retirement in the late 1980s.  He had a distinguished public service career, including work as chief of staff for Hubert Humphrey when Humphrey was mayor of Minneapolis in the 1940s, as Minnesota Commissioner of Administration for Governor Orville Freeman, and as mayor of Minneapolis himself.  Art Naftalin also created and hosted the public television program titled “Minnesota Issues,” which aired for many years.

Eligibility + selection

To be considered for the award, the nominee must be a Humphrey School student who will be graduating by August 2013. 

A committee consisting of one Humphrey School faculty member, one student, and one alumni will select the recipient of this award. The award and a prize of $500 will be given at commencement on May 20, 2013.

To apply

The nominator must submit:

• A 500-word personal statement describing nominee's public service activities during 2012–2013.
• Letters of support from two individuals who are familiar with the nominee's community activities. The letters should address all three of the following areas.
  • Range of Activities: Does the nominee express a commitment to a wide variety of communities or causes?
  • Level of involvement: Does the nominee participate actively and demonstrate a visible level of commitment to the project?  Does he or she show a passion for public service?  What is the long-term impact of his or her involvement on this community?  
  • Expression of Values: Does the nominee communicate well with others about the benefits of community service?  Is she or he a good role model who encourages others to get involved in their communities as well
  Please feel free to nominate yourself or a colleague.  Nomination materials may be submitted electronically to hhhalum@umn.edu or to the Humphrey School Alumni Relations, c/o Courtney Barrette, 300 Humphrey School, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455 by 4:30 pm on May 7, 2013.