Judith C. Mower was awarded the Onondaga Citizens League's 2009 Levi L. Smith
Civic Education Award at the group's recent annual meeting. The award recognizes
commitment to citizen education and involvement in public affairs.
Mower has been an organizational development consultant for 25 years, helping
more than 90 organizations develop leadership, improve quality, and plan for the
future. Currently, she contributes her time and talents as a volunteer in national,
statewide and Syracuse-area civic projects and organizations. In addition to serving
as a trustee of Syracuse University, she is a board member for Parks and Trails New
York, FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Journey 2 Jobs and Syracuse 20/20. Mower also
serves on the national advisory committee for the Funders Network for Smart
Growth and Livable Communities.
OCL board member Mary Thompson, executive officer at Home Builders &
Remodelers of Central New York, nominated Mower for the award. "Judy has been a
true advocate for our community and for the education of our citizens for a number
of years," says Thompson. "I am one Central New Yorker who has been both
inspired and touched by Judy and her commitment to our community. I think she is
another excellent example of an engaged citizen."
"I was deeply honored to be chosen for this year's civic education award by the
organization that sets the highest standard for that kind of work," says Mower.
"Many of OCL's volunteers have contributed to numerous studies and reports over
the years, and any one of them has done more than I have to help people in this
community better understand complicated and important subjects."
Mower says that when she thinks about the meaning of "civic education" in a place
like Syracuse, she believes resident are fortunate to live in a community small enough
so that a group of volunteers can help educate those who live here on how to become
better citizens.
Mower received a bachelor's degree, two master's degrees and a Ph.D., in social
psychology, from SU. She has served as a trustee or director of more than 20
nonprofit boards, chaired fundraising campaigns, and helped launch several
community programs and initiatives.
The Onondaga Citizens League, administered and supported by University College
of Syracuse University is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization designed to promote
citizen education and involvement in public affairs. OCL was created in 1978 by a
group of concerned citizens to study problems and propose solutions to issues facing
Central New York. The league does not promote specific legislation nor function as a
lobbying group. For more information, visit
http://onondagacitzensleague.org or call
443-4846.
