Halmos Professor Recalls Receiving Martin Luther King Jr. Award

In honor of Black History Month, the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center are pleased to share the honor bestowed upon Neil Katz, Ph.D., before his appointment at the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies.

During his tenure at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, Katz received one of the highest honors bestowed by Syracuse University and the Syracuse community.  He was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Award by Andrew Young, one of King’s chief associates, at a ceremony at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse before a crowd of more than 10,000 guests.  The award was “in honor of Dr. Katz’s life’s work in teaching, research, training and consulting on non-violence for community, cultural, religious and educational groups,” and his “commitment to the principles embodied in Dr. King’s life and work.”

In addition to academic and training activities, Katz also led several research and applied projects with community and activists’ groups such as helping to establish the first city of Syracuse New Justice Mediation Center. He also facilitated research projects helping non-violent activist groups such as the Clamshell Alliance who were protesting nuclear power in Seabrook, N.H. He aided groups protesting cruise missiles at the Griffis Air Force Base in Rome, N.Y., He advocated for the use of mediation in the “Great Peace March,” urging expanded use of King’s non-violence principles and strategies.

His areas of teaching and research interests include negotiation theory and practice, group dynamics and organizational conflict.

Katz reflected on his peace work and receiving the award.

“The award was very meaningful to me, my family and all my students and colleagues affiliated with the Program in Nonviolent Conflict and Change (PNCC) at Syracuse University,” he said. “At the time, the award recognized my effort to both initiate and lead PNCC for the past 27 years — as well as my additional efforts to honor and keep alive the principles embodied in Dr. King’s life and work.”

Posted 02/18/24