Award Created to Honor Legacy of Florida Civics Education Leader

Dr. Doug Dobson receives a plaque from FCSS President Peggy Renihan commemorating the creation of a student civic engagement award in his honor.

The Florida Council for the Social Studies (FCSS) recently announced their first student-centered award in honor of Doug Dobson, Ph.D., a senior fellow at UCF’s Lou Frey Institute.

The Dr. L Dobson Student Civic Engagement Award recognizes a student, or students, that have demonstrated outstanding civic engagement and leadership. For Dobson who has been one of the driving forces behind civic education in the state of Florida, this recognition embodies his legacy and contributions to the state.

Other staff of the Lou Frey Institute have also been recognized for their contributions to FCSS. Steve Masyada Ph.D. and Peggy Renihan both play a significant role in facilitating social studies and civics education as well as contributing to the FCSS. The Dr. B.J. Allen Outstanding Leadership Award was received by Masyada, interim executive director of the Lou Frey Institute, for his role as an outstanding educator. Renihan has been installed as the FCSS’s President.

“We are very excited by this recognition, and by the significant role that Lou Frey Institute staff play in social studies and civic education in the state of Florida and beyond,” said Masyada. “The recognition that Dr. Dobson and other staff have received from the civics and social studies community illustrates this effort, and we are excited to continue this work: living up to the legacy of both Congressman Frey and Dr. Dobson.”