- Capozzi wins humanitarian alumni award
By KELLY HAGER
News Writer
Angelo Capozzi, a 1956 Notre Dame graduate and cofounder of Rotoplast International, Inc., will receive the 2001 Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Award from the Alumni Association. Each year, this award is presented to a Notre Dame graduate who has engaged in outstanding humanitarian service.
"Dr. Capozzi has helped so many children around the world with Rotoplast," said Chuck Lennon, director of the Notre Dame Alumni Association. "His service to the community is overwhelming."
For many years, Capozzi has been recognized for his work with the poor in underdeveloped countries. He began as a volunteer surgeon in 1976 for InterPlast, a non-profit organization that gives medical care to underprivileged children around the world. In 14 medical missions with InterPlast, he was responsible for surgeries on more than 1,400 children.
In association with Rotary International, Capozzi founded Rotoplast International, Inc., a world community service project that performs free reconstructive surgery on underprivileged children. Formed in 1992, it attempts to eliminate cleft lips and palates in all children by the year 2025. Since then, he has completed Rotoplast medical missions in Chile, Argentina and Venezuela, where he has contributed to reconstructive surgery on more than 2,000 children.
Capozzi was selected by a committee of Alumni Board members who are responsible for reviewing nominees and selecting a recipient each year. Until recently, the award had to be given to a young alumnus, within 10 years of graduating.
However, according to Lennon, they had so many nominees over the age limit that they had to make it available to everyone. Currently, the award is given to an alumnus, living or dead.
The award was named after Tom Dooley, a 1948 Notre Dame graduate. After graduating from medical school, Dooley traveled to Asia where he established hospitals in Vietnam and Laos. During this time, he also wrote four books and published other articles.
When he returned to Notre Dame in 1960 to speak at commencement, President Eisenhower, also at the ceremony, commented that Dooley was "the most respected citizen of the United States."
Dooley died of cancer at 34. The Dooley award was established in 1983 in memory of him for his never-ending devotion to the poor of Southeast Asia, his fondness of prayer at the Grotto and his courageous death from cancer.
"The Dooley award is given to those graduates who exemplify and model what the Alumni Association believes and supports — those committed to faith and service," said Lennon. "Reasons for choosing Capozzi are quite obvious."
All News Stories for Friday, February 16, 2001
