University's new prize goes to entrepreneur who helps relief groups

Published: 2008-04-24

SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) -- Lynn C. Fritz, a San Francisco entrepreneur with a mission to help aid agencies speed relief to the neediest victims of natural disasters, is the recipient of the first California Prize for Service and the Common Good established by the University of San Francisco. The prize from the Jesuit-run university comes with a $10,000 award and a handcrafted medal. It will be given each year to a person who creates advancements or innovations in either the public or the private sector on behalf of underserved people. Fritz founded the Fritz Institute in 2001. Through its BayPrep initiative, which seeks to improve disaster preparedness in the San Francisco Bay Area, the institute works with aid agencies to eliminate delays and confusion affecting institutional responses to humanitarian and natural disasters. The university wanted to honor an individual who is a product of Jesuit education and who exemplifies the ideals of Jesuit education. Fritz is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco and Georgetown University in Washington.

Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .