Deval Patrick receives Brudnoy Award
There was a greater appreciation than usual for the man who received this year’s David Brudnoy Memorial Award—Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick—which was presented by the Phi Alpha Tau fraternity on May 1.
Several days ago Patrick steered the state through an unprecedented terrorist attack tragedy and police manhunt that locked down the metropolitan area for nearly 24 hours on April 19.
“He had to make some very tough decisions that turned out to be exactly the right decisions,” said Emerson President Lee Pelton when introducing Patrick to a crowd at the Bordy Theater.
The award, named after late radio talk show host David Brudnoy, goes to individuals who have done a great service to the Boston community, and use their leadership to further excellence in communications or the arts.
“It was important for me to acknowledge what we did know as we learned it,” Patrick said, “and what we came to know about the nature of the attacks, and who was behind it.”
Pelton praised Patrick for leading the Commonwealth “superbly and with vision and passion in the toughest of times.” He also thanked the governor for calling him shortly after the explosions to ask about the eight Emerson students who sustained injuries, and were treated and released from the hospital.
“He called simply to find out who they are, how they were doing, and how the Emerson community was doing,” Pelton said. “We are very, very grateful, Governor, for your attention.”
