What is the Homer N. Calver Lecture Series?
The Homer N. Calver Lecture Series is sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI). It is presented in honor of Homer Northup Calver, who worked throughout his life to improve the public health and welfare as a health officer, bacteriologist, Army officer, engineer, health educator, teacher, association executive, editor and publicist until his death in 1970.
Following his death in 1970, the Section on Environment of the APHA, in cooperation with the Plate, Cup and Container Institute (now called the Foodservice Packaging Institute), established an annual lecture series in memory of Mr. Calver for his significant contributions he made to both of these associations and the field of public health. The Lecture is held every year at the APHA Annual Meeting, and the lecturer receives a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
To learn more about Mr. Calver, please read the Biography of Homer N. Calver. (PDF)
How is the Calver Lecturer Chosen?
A selection committee made up of 5-10 members of APHA’s Section on Environment is charged with choosing the Calver Lecturer for the APHA Annual Meeting. The committee looks for a leader – whether an academician, professional, environmental scientists, etc. – that can present cutting edge views and ideas on environmental health issues. The lecturer is usually chosen from the general region in which the APHA Annual Meeting is being held, for budgetary reasons. Once the committee identifies a possible lecturer, he or she is formally invited to speak and is asked to put together draft comments for his/her presentation and, if approved by the committee, is confirmed as the Calver Lecturer.
Who is this year's Winner?
Congratulations to the 2007 Calver Lecturer, Peggy Shepard, executive director and co-founder of West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. (WE ACT). Founded in 1988, WE ACT was New York’s first environmental justice organization created to build community power to improve environmental health, policy and protection in communities of color.
Who are the Sponsors?
The sponsors of the Calver Lecture Series are the Section on Environment of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI).
For additional information on the Calver Lecture Series, please contact Leon Vinci, Awards Chair, by phone at (860) 982-6298 or e-mail at lfv6@aol.com.
