Traversing The Icy Path: Rolex Laureate Lonnie Dupre In Arctic
Mankind has been gifted with a capacity for the extraordinary that lies in the realms of the spirit. However it is the choice of pursuing a higher purpose even though greatness demands continual effort and undying spirit. Rolex the forerunner of the watchmaking industry has been creating opportunities that recognize brilliance and determination of individuals across the world. For a hundred years now Rolex has been involved with several initiatives that honor the resilience of individuals who are committed to attaining excellence. The Rolex Awards for Enterprise is probably the most ambitious project Rolex has ever chosen to sponsor The Rolex Awards for Enterprise identifies the endeavor of individual Laureates who are on a quest of transforming the human society through their committed labor in various fields that include science, health, environment and cultural preservation, applied technology and exploration. Winner of the 2004 Rolex Awards for Enterprise, Lonnie Dupre battled extreme conditions to reach the far corners of this planet. Steadily making his way across the icy path riddled with snow storms and immensely cold weather, Lonnie Dupre left for the icy vicinity if this vast planet in April, 2009.
Honoring the resilience of early explorers and to commemorate the Peary-Henson expedition, Lonnie Dupre and his skilled team, made their way across the white continent to reach the North Pole. After a daunting trek across the snow covered terrain of the Arctic, Lonnie Dupre and his team that included the Lebanese adventurer Maxime Chaya and Texan mountaineer Stuart Smith reached the North Pole after 54 days of overwhelming difficulty. Travelling over 22,500 kilometers throughout the icy lands in a career that spans over 20 years on the Arctic using dog team, ski and kayak, Lonnie Dupre often traverses on the path of great explores like Robert E. Peary, Roald Amundsen, and Knud Rasmussen.
Lonnie Dupre and his team made their way from Ellesmere Island, in the Canadian Arctic to the North Pole enduring temperatures of -48 degree centigrade. The primary objective of this initiative was to study the impact of global warming on the climate and raise the awareness of people towards the consequences of their actions. Battling the Polar Treadmill factor that is a southward heading ice drift that grabs kilometers from the explorers as they come near the North Pole, Lonnie Dupre and his team had to push harder then ever in the final days of this campaign.
Finally returning to his home in Grand Marais, Minnesota in United States, Lonnie Dupre hopes to have generated enough attention about the enormity of the global warming and its dire consequences.
Supporting the cause of individuals like Lonnie Dupre the Rolex awards are aimed in developing the cumulative growth of mankind. Created in 1976 the Rolex Awards for Enterprise is an ambitious project has honored 110 Laureates form over 40 countries. Donating a large portion of its revenue for philanthropic purposes in various areas of the world, Rolex seeks to revolutionize the perceptions of humanity and inspire individuals to follow a greater ambition.
Posted by Vanessa Puzio on July 21st, 2009 and filed under Rolex Culture, Rolex Events | No Comments »




Commanding the respect of millions of people around the world, the Swiss brand
If ever there be a book written about the glorious achievements of mankind, it most definitely will mention Rolex and its incredible list of attainments. Responsible for many revolutionary changes Rolex has a list of firsts like being the first ever watch to ascend the slopes of the majestic Mt. Everest along with the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary. Creating the world fully functional waterproof watch by the name of
The very essence of humanity lies in the ability of being able to render meaningful service to a fellow human being. Service is intrinsic to the core process of life itself and due to this crucial factor it becomes our duty, more so a responsibility to assist in the formation of a race that has equal opportunities.
The core rudiment was to provide for those individuals that lacked financial support. Whether the revenue generated benefits a section of the community by uniting them in pursuit of cultural excellence or for medical related purposes, Rolex has proudly been creating and participating in events that seek to positively impact the society. From identifying talent at the sporting events and awarding them with scholarships to generating revenue through auctions to benefit the poorer sections of the society, Rolex participates in every event that genuinely promotes the cause of humanity. The principal resolution of committing to the singular vision of championing the cause of mankind is deeply entrenched into the core of Rolex and its functioning. Right from assisting the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, to foster a collective understanding and promote harmony through the combined celebration of the cultural expression of humanity; to Rolex Award for Enterprise and the Young Laureates Program that aims to fund the pioneering vision of individuals that look to transform the state of society through their work, Rolex is constantly promoting the greater good of mankind.
Partnering the Fisher Foundation in the United States, Rolex helped them set up comfortable temporary accommodations for the family, when a member of the family who is enrolled is the American defense services, is undergoing a specialized treatment or requires extended medical attention. Organizing a Rolex Charity evening in Chennai, India at the Chennai Open by auctioning of tennis memorabilia, Rolex donated the proceeds to the Tanker Foundation (Tamil Nadu Kidney Research Foundation) and Balavidyalaya - School for Young Deaf Children. Rolex has played a tremendous role in improving the conditions of the less fortunate and assisting them in improving their livelihood. The most vital function of all of mankind is to ensure that fellow members of the society do not suffer due to human neglect and ignorance.
The capacity to view the entire human race as a single conglomerate or be able to realize that a single life force runs through all of us and binds us together as a part of the divine plan, is probably the first and the most vital prerequisite for being able to pioneer a movement that changes the way we function. The
The 2008 winner of the Rolex Award for Enterprise, Tim Bauer an American Citizen is the co-founder of Envirofit. Awarded for creating a direct injection retrofit kit that reduces toxic emissions and increases the fuel-efficiency of the two-stroke powered vehicles in developing countries, Tim Bauer was able to transform the lives of the people that were hugely affected by the increasing air pollution. Coupling this program with a loan guarantee, Tim Bauer made this life altering equipment available to poor drivers of these two stroke vehicles. Saluting the commitment of these original thinkers and innovators, Rolex awards them for their ingenuity and dedication. In order to take this program further Rolex created the Young Laureates Program that recognizes talented young thinkers that pursue the path of revolutionizing the world. This new endeavor seeks to support innovative thinking and implementation of original programs in the next generation and recognizes potential pioneers. The Young Laureates Program provides these talented young innovators with the finances and assists them in implementing their original ideas. The primary objective of this innovative program is to seek out young pioneers and assist them in transforming themselves into tomorrow’s leaders that will be able to lead the human race to a common goal of unambiguous harmony. This new variation will be held in 2010 and will alternate with the original version of the program the Rolex Awards for Enterprise on a two-yearly basis. The original concept of promoting brilliance the Rolex Awards for Enterprise will be held in 2012.
Innovating to create something out of the ordinary which in turn will improve the underlying conditions is a principal we all need to follow. This rudiment is imperative in order to understand our place on this planet and by employing this remarkable gift of vision we all possess we can transform this world into a better and more sustainable place to live in.
This program does not seek to replace the earlier awards for laureates and assistant laureates but to a certain extent complements it. The Rolex Awards for Enterprise: New Young Laureates Program and the Rolex Awards for Enterprise for laureates and assistant laureates will be held on a rotational basis every two years. The primary focus of the program is to identify exceptional young talent which will bring in fresh approaches to tackle the complex problems of the future.

