Gary LaFree, an IU Department of Sociology PhD alum (1979) and currently Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and a Sociology department affiliate at the University of Maryland, won the highest honor in the world in criminology, the Stockholm Prize. Like the Nobel Prize, you have to travel to Stockholm to get it and Queen Silvia of Sweden hands it to you. Professor LaFree explains the impact of the prize in a news story:
"I am truly honored to have my name listed alongside the previous winners of the Stockholm Prize, many of whom I have idolized since I was a student," said LaFree. "I have been very fortunate over the course of my career to be surrounded by an amazing group of colleagues and students, and to have my creative insights—especially on the legitimacy of legal institutions and governing bodies—recognized publicly. Many academics' contributions go unnoticed, so I am not only proud of my work, but very grateful for how it has been received."
You can read more about the award by following this link: https://today.umd.edu/umd-criminologist-to-receive-worlds-top-prize-in-criminology We congratulate Professor LaFree for this achievement.