Former Secretary of State Albright to be awarded prestigious GVSU medal

The Colonel Ralph W. Hauenstein Fellowship Medal, one of Grand Valley State University’s most prestigious awards, will be presented to former U.S. Secretary of State and ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright. 

Albright will be presented the award during a program at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on January 29. The invitation-only program will officially open an exhibit of Madeleine Albright’s jewelry called, “Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection.” Albright will be presented with the Hauenstein Fellowship award during the program by Gleaves Whitney, director of Grand Valley’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies and Thomas J. Haas, Grand Valley State University president. There will be a book signing and a reception after the program. 

“Our nation’s 64th secretary of state blasted through the glass ceiling imposed on her generation,” said Whitney. “All people who aspire to public service can look to Dr. Albright’s storied career for inspiration.”

“Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection”

Jan. 29, 7 p.m.

Gerald R. Ford Museum

303 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids 

Secretary Albright will be the third recipient of the Col. Ralph W. Hauenstein Fellowship Medal. The first was awarded posthumously to former President Gerald R. Ford; the second was awarded to former U.S. National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft, who served under presidents Gerald R. Ford and George H. W. Bush.