Arizona Christian University President Len Munsil announced today that legendary pro-family leader Dr. James Dobson will receive the 5th Daniel Award for Courageous Public Faith at a banquet in his honor April 14 at the Phoenician in Scottsdale.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to honor Dr. Dobson for the incredible work he has done to strengthen the family, while courageously defending biblical truth in our culture,” said ACU President Len Munsil. “It is almost impossible to measure the influence of this one man on the policies and practices related to parenting and the American family over the past half-century.”
Dr. James Dobson is the Founder and President of Family Talk, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program, “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk.” He is the author of more than 30 books dedicated to the preservation of the family, including The New Dare to Discipline; Love for a Lifetime; Life on the Edge; Love Must Be Tough; The New Strong-Willed Child; When God Doesn’t Make Sense; Bringing Up Boys; Marriage Under Fire; Bringing Up Girls; Head Over Heels and, most recently, Your Legacy: The Greatest Gift. He was the founding president of Focus on the Family and has been an advisor to three U.S. Presidents on family issues.
“Dr. Dobson’s practical wisdom for parents, through his books and radio programs, strengthened tens of millions of American families,” said Munsil. “His public proclamation of the Gospel, his work to advance the sanctity of life, strengthen marriage, fight pornography, build state family policy councils — and with his wife Shirley, to promote the National Day of Prayer – these accomplishments barely scratch the surface of Dr. Dobson’s influence.
“When we considered who to honor with a Daniel Award for courageous work on behalf of the family, there was really only one choice.”
Previous recipients of the Daniel Award include the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, evangelist and Samaritan’s Purse CEO Rev. Franklin Graham, Grammy winning recording artist Michael W. Smith, and Hobby Lobby founders David and Barbara Green.
“The purpose of the Daniel Award is to honor those who have stood for Christ in our culture, no matter what sphere of influence or vocation, and to provide an example for our students who are studying for degrees in the same field,” Munsil said. “With President Bush, Franklin Graham, Michael W. Smith, and the Greens, we honored those who led in politics, full-time Christian ministry, arts and entertainment and business.”
“Our behavioral health and family studies degrees are among the most popular degrees at ACU, and we recently added a degree in psychology,” Munsil said. “We believe Dr. James Dobson provides a fantastic example for our students who desire to honor Christ through biblical counseling that will strengthen marriages and families.”
Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California (1967) in the field of child development. He holds 17 honorary doctoral degrees, and was inducted in 2008 into The National Radio Hall of Fame.
For event information and to purchase tickets or table sponsorships, please visit arizonachristian.edu/danielaward, email abby.muller@arizonachristian.edu or call 602-489-5321.