June 16, 2008

William Alford '77 with wife, Yuanyuan
Shen LL.M. '89, in Atlanta on May 19

On May 19, Professor William Alford '77 was honored for his contributions to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, held in Shanghai, China. At a dinner ceremony hosted by Special Olympics founding sponsor Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Ga., Alford was one of eight individuals and organizations to receive accolades and plaques for their many years of work.

"The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai were an unprecedented event that changed the lives of millions of people worldwide," said Dr. Timothy Shriver, President and CEO of Special Olympics International. "Each of these organizations and individuals has supported Special Olympics in many ways, and their support of the World Games helped to make the event an incredible global success."

In addition to Alford, the other award recipients were: the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games Organizing Committee, received by Jia Yong, member of the Executive Board of the China Disabled Persons' Federation; The Coca-Cola Company, received by Muhtar Kent, President and Chief Operating Officer; Mattel, received by Kevin M. Farr, Chief Financial Officer for Mattel, Inc.; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, received by Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director; The Samuel Family Foundation, received by Kim Samuel-Johnson, Director of The Samuel Group; Actress and Recording Artist Vanessa Williams; and Former President of Special Olympics East Asia Dicken Yung.

Alford’s involvement with the organization stretches back to 1979, when he first travelled to China with former Chairman Sargent Shriver to discuss opportunities with senior government leaders. Since then, he has acted as a senior advisor to Special Olympics leadership throughout China, witnessing the development of the largest national Special Olympics athlete population in the world, with over 640,000 competitors. Alford’s wife, Dr. Yuanyuan Shen LL.M. '89, a research associate at Harvard University’s Fairbank Center, has further assisted in Special Olympics efforts in her country of origin.

Special Olympics is a worldwide organization dedicated to the empowerment of persons with intellectual disabilities through sports, educational, and health programs, the development of family support networks and legislative and policy advocacy. With more than 7,257 athletes from 164 countries participating, and 200 million people from around the world watching the Opening Ceremony alone, the 2007 Games marked the first time the Summer Games were held in Asia, and only the second time held outside the United States.