The Columbus Human Rights Commission has announced that the recipients of the 2016 William R. Laws Human Rights Award are Dr. Marwan Wafa and Ala’a Wafa. Aida Ramirez, director of the Columbus Human Rights Commission, says that the pair will be honored during the commission’s annual dinner meeting on May 19 at The Commons.

Ramirez says that the commission selected the pair for the honor for their, “joint contribution in making Columbus a more inclusive community through dialogue, education and strong advocacy.” The Laws Nominating Committee says that the Wafas have been active in raising cultural awareness and educating different groups about religions and cultures. Dr. Wafa is a former vice-chancellor and dean at IUPUC. He left the school last summer to take the position of chancellor of Pennsylvania State University’s Worthington Scranton campus. Ala’a Wafa is an Associate Counsel at Cummins. She is also the daughter of Dr. Wafa.

Ramirez says that the commission’s May 19th meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and will include the honoring of the student winners of art and essay contests. The keynote address will be provided by the President and co-founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Salam Al-Marayati.