Richard Blum, chairman of the UC Board of Regents, was honored as Global Citizen of the Year by the International House Wednesday night.

Blum was recognized for the "profound" impact of his work against global poverty at the 20th Annual Celebration & Awards Gala, the largest I-House fundraising event of the year.

"I couldn't be more delighted or honored," Blum said. "I've known about the I-House for many years and to be selected is an important milestone in my lengthy career."

Also honored at the gala was Alumna of the Year Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, an author and poet whose work frequently includes cross-cultural themes. Divakaruni received her doctorate in English at UC Berkeley and was a resident of the I-House from 1978 to 1979.

"The I-House inspired me to make the themes of my books about cross-cultural relationships and friendships among people of many different backgrounds," Divakaruni said.

The I-House awarded Blum for his work at the Blum Center for Developing Economies at UC Berkeley, among other contributions. The center, founded in 2006, brings scalable and sustainable technology to developing countries and educates students about global poverty.

Martin Brennan, executive director of the I-House, noted the opportunities the center creates for students.

"It gives a practical outlet for the passion and commitment that our residents feel towards making a difference in the world beyond the walls of the I-House," Brennan said.

The executive director of the center, George Scharffenberger, said Blum has proved to be very deserving of the award.

"This is a fitting honor for someone whose whole life, both professional and personal, exemplifies what it means to be an informed, concerned and engaged global citizen," he said. "The statements of the Blum Center's students at the event testify to the multiplier effect that his founding support of the center is having."

In addition to his work at the center, Blum is founder and chairman of the American Himalayan Foundation, which is involved in more than 150 projects benefiting 20,000 people every year throughout the Himalayas, said the foundation's vice-president, Norbu Tenzing.

During his acceptance speech, Blum described how the foundation helps the developing world.

"It was school by school, village by village and today, the American Himalayan Foundation really gets more bang for their rupee than any place I know," Blum said.

Brennan said he hopes that the influence of these two honorees will continue to resonate.

"For us at the International House, it is gratifying that these awards, both the Global Citizen of the Year and Alumna of the Year, receive recognition," Brennan said. "Our hope is that in our small way we are inspiring others to follow the examples of our honorees."

Tags: INTERNATIONAL HOUSE, RICHARD BLUM