Fritz Scheuren: Human Rights Volunteer and Mensch

摘要

During his ASA presidential address, Fritz Scheuren said he needed to focus his presidency on a theme, so he chose the line "use our discipline to enhance human welfare," which comes from the ASA mission statement. It is easy to see why he decided on this expression as the aim of his administration—it is also his life's dictum. His commitment to improving the lives of others is evident through his human rights projects, volunteer work, and leadership activities. Perhaps he is dedicated to helping people because, despite having a loving family, Scheuren's childhood was difficult. Growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, he lived in the projects with his mother, Kathryn, and sister, Marie, and attended Boston College High School. Every day, he walked across a dump to get to school, and those were the days when open burning was still permitted. "I enjoyed school," he said, "but because of my poverty and where I lived, it was also challenging."