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Karl Peace, a biostatistics professor at Georgia Southern, was recently recognized on the floor of the United States Congress.
He was honored by Congressman Wittman (R-VA), who met Peace in August 2008 at the Virginia Commonwealth University’s graduation ceremonies.
Wittman noted on the floor of Congress Dr. Peace’s many accomplishments.
“Dr. Peace has a dedicated record of philanthropy to education. He has created 21 endowments at five institutions including three at his alma mater, the Medical College of Virginia and one at Randolph-Macon College,” said Wittman. “He endowed the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, the first school of public health in the University of Georgia System. His endowments have enabled hundreds of students to complete their undergraduate or graduate degrees,” he said.
According to Peace, he first became interested in cancer research when he witnessed the effect that it had on his mother.
Later on in his life, his wife and father died of cancer. He always wanted to do something that would benefit others, and he believes that he has done this through his university and pharmaceutical positions. Peace offered words of encouragement to families who are suffering from cancer.
“Don’t give up, keep a positive attitude, try not to let the cancer rule you and resolve to beat the cancer,” said Peace. This positive attitude, Peace believes, helped prolong his mother’s life.
Peace hopes that in the next few years, cancer research and clinical development will continue, and that more people will become informed of the lifestyle choices that affect cancer.
He also hopes more people will be screened for cancer because most cancer can be treated if it is caught early enough.
Wittman also mentioned the different organizations that Peace has directly been involved with, using his time and talents.
“Dr. Peace has generously donated time and resources to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Georgia Cancer Coalition, the Southeast Georgia Cancer Alliance and the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition that are dedicated to cancer research, treatments and cures,” said Wittman.
In addition to his philanthropy and cancer research, Wittman also recognized Peace for his involvement in public health education and drug research and clinical development.
Throughout his life, Peace has had many careers. He has been a college professor, a drug researcher and clinical developer in the pharmaceutical industry, the founder of the Biopharmaceutical Researcher Consultants, Inc. and is how back at GSU.
His workday is usually about 16 hours long and is filled with teaching and mentoring graduate students, researching and providing philanthropic services.
Peace’s colleagues have offered many words of encouragement. Din Chen, one of Peace’s fellow professors, said, “He really deserves this honor for his lifetime achievement and contribution to his professional societies and also to the public.”
Peace was surprised and appreciative of his congressional recognition and “hopes it [his employment here] contributes to the positive image of GSU in the external community and contributes to the pride that students have in having chosen GSU as the place to obtain an education that will prepare them for their profession.”
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