MacArthur Foundation reveals 'genius grants'
CHICAGO - A Chicago skyscraper architect, a New York City children's choir founder and a North Carolina scientist who studies how to prevent sports-related concussions are among the latest 22 recipients of the MacArthur Foundation "genius grants".
The $500,000 fellowships for 2011 were announced on Tuesday by the Chicago-based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Recipients largely don't know they're in contention for the annual awards, and often learn they're winners with an out-of-the-blue phone call informing them they'll receive the money over the next five years.
"I was dumbfounded, I actually cried," said Francisco J. Nunez, 46, founder of the Young People's Chorus of New York City. Nunez finished what he called a "very strenuous" board meeting when he received a call from a phone number he didn't recognize.
