Dr. Hiruy was born in Dessie, Wollo, in 1950. After successfully completing his junior year at Woizero Seheen High School, he won the American Field Service (AFS) Scholarship to come to the United States for his senior year. In 1968 he graduated from Swarthmore High School in Pennsylvania. After returning home and attending what was then Haile Selassie University and working for a couple of years, he came back to the U.S. to complete his higher education.

Dr. Hiruy received a B.S.c from Sterling College in Kansas in 1973 (Magna Cum Laude), a Master of Public Education Degree in City Management from the University of Kansas, a Master of Higher Education from Kent State University (in 1975 and 1986 respectively), and a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy Studies from Kent State University in 1987. Dr. Hiruy has published numerous papers and articles on urban affairs, poverty, non-governmental organizations (NGO's). He has chaired many local and international NGO organizations. He currently serves as the Executive Director of HOPE Enterprises. HOPE Enterprises is a voluntary organization providing child-care, education, and vocational training to the children of Ethiopia via rescue, rehabilitation, and development efforts. Under his leadership, HOPE has grown from kindergarten to twelfth grade helping Ethiopia's destitute and orphaned children. HOPE has been operating in the region of Amhara, Gambela, and Addis Ababa. In the year 2000 alone, HOPE Enterprises has provided relief services to over 161,000 Ethiopians, child-care for over 800 children, and vocational training for over 5,500 children. 85% of the graduates of HOPE Enterprises are employed at various organizations throughout the country while the others have embarked on starting their own businesses. The organization employs over 170 people paying competitive salaries and benefits. Dr. Hiruy's vision has now expanded to creating a college for the forgotten children of Ethiopia. SEED salutes Dr. Hiruy for his unselfish devotion and exemplary community service. We honor him for his noble commitment to helping the less fortunate, and for instilling a sense of hope and success for the future of Ethiopia and its children.

http://www.ethioseed.org/content/view/36/62/