The award is named for the Rev. Dana McLean Greeley, who was an internationally respected advocate for peace, human rights, and civil rights and a longtime Unitarian Universalist minister in Concord, Massachusetts. The Scholars are selected because of their ability to effectively promote the cause of peace and conflict resolution at local, regional, national, or international levels and/or peace and justice studies.
The Greeley Foundation for Peace and Social Justice was based in Concord and for 20 years kept the Rev. Greeley’s message of peace and justice alive by awarding grants to socially conscious organizations. Throughout its history, the goals of the foundation were to promote dialogue and leadership; to elevate integrity, compassion, honesty and courage; and to seek creative ways to realize the unifying power of peace.
"The creation of The Rev. Dana McLean Greeley Endowment for Peace Studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Peace and Conflict Studies Institute will continue the work the foundation has been doing for the past 20 years,” said Edward Perry of the Greeley Foundation. "The Greeley Endowment will fund a distinguished advocate for peace, noted humanitarian or faith leader in a limited residency during one semester each year."