Falk Laboratory School is pleased to announce Cem Akin as this year’s Wonder, Care, Act Alumni Award recipient! 

In addition to being a Class of 1986 alumnus and the uncle of two current Falk students, Akin is the co-creator and “TreeEO” of the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to alleviating world hunger, strengthening communities, and protecting and improving the environment. His life of curiosity and service has made a tangible impact on communities and food systems worldwide, perfectly illustrating Falk’s wonder, care, act mantra. 

Rooted at Falk 

Reflecting on his childhood, Akin says the elementary and middle school years are a time filled with magic and driven by excitement for being alive and experiencing new things. “Falk was the perfect place to be for that,” he adds, “because of [the] sense of inclusion, diversity, and tolerance and [the] high quality of education and social interactions.” 

From studying environmental science at McKeever to playing football with Dr. Rusnak during recess, Akin’s days at Falk were truly filled with magic. Even in the classroom, there were no limits on imagination and curiosity. “Being introduced to algebra was mind-blowing,” he says. “There was something expansive about the way we were taught math [at Falk] that felt like it opened up a whole [new] understanding and a whole different part of the world. It was pretty special to have fun at school to that [extent].” 

Akin also cherishes the relationships he made at Falk, especially one with Mark Quinlan, a former student teacher who recently passed away in March 2026. “I always remember him because he took the time to foster my interest in music,” Akin says. “He would bring [in] vinyl albums to lend me so I could explore new music. To this day, I listen to some of the things he turned me on to. To see a teacher take such an interest in a student that he would bring, from home, art to share made me realize that an adult can really make a difference in a child's life.”

Other figures who made a difference for Akin are custodial manager Mr. Moore, who was a constant source of kindness and compassion around the school; physical education teacher John Wagner, whom he calls “legendary;” and former librarian Laurie Williams, who was Akin’s homeroom teacher during Middle School.

Akin says he still remembers a day when something spilled on the carpet, leaving lots of little pieces scattered around. Williams had every student pick up 10 pieces, “and the project was completed within one minute,” he says. “To this day, I think of that example because [it just shows] what you can accomplish together. I don't know that she even remembers it, [but] it's the little things teachers do that sometimes stick with [you].” 

Akin’s friends from Falk have also stuck with him over the years. “In fact,” he says, “one of them just commissioned a painting of three of us who were in first grade [together] and remain good friends to this day. That’s a long-lasting friendship.”

Akin’s niece and nephew are currently in the Classes of 2029 and 2027. Thinking about their family’s ongoing connection to Falk, he says, “It's pretty cool to see something last through generations. That's how you build culture and history, and to see that with my own eyes, to hear about the things they're doing and the same excitement they have going to school is really special.”

Fruit Tree Planting Foundation 

Akin’s nonprofit organization, the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF), was established in 2002 and “born from the idea that we can do so much with the simple act of planting a fruit tree,” Akin shares. “We're helping the environment, we're helping feed families, we're helping create shade, we're helping families with income generation, and there's this intangible magic to fruit trees that brings communities together.” 

Since its founding, FTPF has planted and inspired the planting of millions of fruit trees across 12 countries, providing critical supplies, on-site training, and resources to thousands of unique communities. Under this model, program participants receive life-changing education and infrastructure, with some families earning 100% of their income from the fruit, nut, and medicinal trees planted through FTPF. 

Starting this year, Akin says he is excited to unveil several new programs, including a partnership with Navajo Nation communities to help replant thousands of trees that were destroyed by the United States government in the mid-1800s. At that time, the neighboring Pueblo of Zuni gifted fruit tree saplings to the Navajo Nation to prevent their food supply from completely disappearing. Now, nearly 200 years later, this program hopes to restore the destroyed tree population and repay the Zuni tribe for their life-saving kindness. 

Another favorite project of Akin’s is a program in the Busoga Kingdom of Uganda. “We were invited by the king to plant on the palace grounds,” he shares, “so we were there planting trees, and the king was watching us from the window and sent a messenger down to ask us what we wanted in return and what strings were attached. I told them, ‘We don't ask for anything in return, except [for] the community to make sure these trees survive so that they're giving the benefit we all want.’” 

“A little bit later that day,” Akin recalls, “we were sitting in a meeting with some of the king’s staff, and the king again sent a messenger, and he took our program manager, who is Ugandan, and appointed him as the General Minister of the entire kingdom, because he said, ‘I want people like this working with us.’ Now our program manager is the General Minister, which is third in charge of the kingdom, and we're rolling out programs across the entire kingdom.” 

Humane Agriculture and Farming 

Akin is also a co-author of “The Home Orchard Handbook,” the first fruit tree care guide focused on 100% organic and humane caretaking methods. “A lot of agricultural advice centers on lethal methods of dealing with animals or insects that are attacking the crops,” Akin shares. “We wanted to think of a more compassionate, different way of dealing with that.” 

This emphasis on humane and sustainable practices is a common thread throughout Akin’s professional life. Before launching FTPF, he spent 10 years as a lead researcher for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), where he worked on investigations and documentation of inhumane factory farm practices, leading to the first-ever felony cruelty to farmed animals charges in United States history, among other milestones. 

In 2002, he directed “Meet Your Meat,” a short documentary narrated by Alec Baldwin, one of the earliest and most-seen films exposing the truth about factory farming in the United States. Akin says it was this work that first sparked his interest in creating a compassionate food system—an interest that ultimately paved the way for FTPF. 

Reflecting on this journey—and on the childhood magic he still cultivates today—Akin says he hopes this year's Falk graduates each have the courage to “find their magic, share their magic, and make it real.”

“From an early age, Cem Akin has embodied Falk Laboratory School’s principle of wonder through a deep curiosity about how systems—social, environmental, and economic—can be improved to better serve communities. This intellectual curiosity has guided both his academic pursuits and his professional path, leading him to explore the intersection of public policy, sustainability, and social impact. Rather than accepting the status quo, Cem consistently asks how long-term, thoughtful solutions can create meaningful change. 

Cem’s commitment to care is evident in the way he centers community well-being in his work and personal values. His career has been shaped by a concern for underserved populations and animals, environmental health, and access to nutritious food. He demonstrates care not only through empathy, but through sustained dedication—building partnerships, empowering volunteers, and ensuring that the benefits of his efforts reach diverse communities across geographic and socioeconomic boundaries. 

Most importantly, Cem exemplifies Falk’s call to act. He transforms ideas into action by designing and leading initiatives that have tangible, measurable outcomes. Whether planting trees, mobilizing volunteers, or creating educational resources, he follows through with purpose and integrity. His life’s work reflects Falk’s belief that curiosity and compassion are most powerful when paired with action.” 

— Ayça Akin, with whom Cem is grateful to have shared a year

at Falk despite their eight-year sibling age gap