The University of Minnesota presented its top leadership awards to Alan Roy a 407th Civil Affairs Soldier. He was awarded the 2017 Mary A. McEvoy Award for Public Engagement and Leadership and the 2017 President's Student Leadership and Service Award on October 19, 2017.
The Mary A. McEvoy Award is one of the most prestigious awards the University of Minnesota offers. Presented annually, the award is only open to students who also earned the President's Student Leadership and Service award, which is presented to just one-half of one percent of students. Awardees must demonstrate dedication and assistance that benefit an individual, group or community, or strengthen a democratic way of life. Earlier this year, Roy and a team of students were also awarded the Humphrey School's Best Master of Public Affairs Paper for strategic planning related to the City of Minneapolis.
Alan Roy is a member of the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians. He attends the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. A U.S. Army Reserve Captain with the 407th Civil Affairs Battalion, he deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009 with the 1st Cavalry Division. In 2016, he directed Strategic Affairs for White Earth Reservation. His legislative work supported essential Tribal programs by helping the Band secure $5 million. He addressed economic disparity in Minnesota by helping create the White Earth Integrated Business Development System--a collaborative effort between the Band, Mahnomen City, and Mahnomen County. He currently supports veterans through Minnesota's Disabled Veteran Outreach Program in Veteran Employment Services, a component of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.