CAMBRIDGE, MA - Some 1,200 people jammed into Sanders Theatre to cheer renowned Colombian-born singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Shakira, who received the Harvard Foundation’s 2011 Artist of the Year award on February 26.

“Shakira’s contributions to music and distinguished history of creativity have been applauded by people throughout the world, and she is greatly admired worldwide for her humanitarian efforts through her Barefoot Foundation, which aims to promote a better quality of life for children in impoverished areas, providing them with education and nutrition,” said S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation.

Twelve Harvard College student groups representing various cultures from around the world performed for her. Shakira founded the Barefoot Foundation to provide education and nutrition to children in impoverished areas of her native Colombia. She is also a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador.

Counter says the Latin music artist, who has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, was honored for her "distinguished history of creativity," as well as for her charitable contributions.

After accepting the award, Shakira challenged Harvard students to do more to improve education in developing countries. She later said some U.S. states’ proposed anti-immigrant legislation goes against her foundation’s efforts to provide education to poor people.

The Grammy Award-winning singer, born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll said Latino immigrants in the U.S. facing various anti-immigrant bills will have justice as public awareness grows.

“Wherever there is kid, who could be the son or the daughter of a Latino immigrant, who cannot attend a school in the United States of America, that kid should be a concern to all of us and our responsibility.”

Shakira made the comments in an interview when asked about proposed measures in Arizona and elsewhere targeting illegal immigrants. A bill in Arizona, for example, would ...