Douglas Renick, Florence, Mass., Florence, Mass., serves as the interim director of Western Massachusetts American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), where he coordinates local activists and plans events promoting peace, justice and equality. He also is overseeing the formation of a Western Massachusetts Social Forum for delegates representing the region’s many racial, cultural and economic groups to share ideas and mobilize volunteers for social justice. This spring, Renick met with U.S. Representative John Oliver, D-Amherst, and aides for other members of Congress while protesting the Iraq war in Washington, D.C.
On November 4, 2006, John Schmidt received a Citation of Merit from the Association of Southwestern University Alumni. The Citation of Merit is given to former Southwestern students who have performed exceptional civic and/or professional services in a given geographic area or field of endeavor. The following citation was read as John was presented his award.