A Century of Igniting Good in the Hearts and Minds of Young Leaders
A Century of Igniting Good in the Hearts and Minds of Young Leaders
A Century of Igniting Good in the Hearts and Minds of Young Leaders
For a century, the Sullivan Foundation has quietly been a honoring college students and community members of noble character who put service above self.
Please join us as the Foundation celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Sullivan Awards being presented at colleges and universities across the American South.
The Foundation will travel to all 11 founding schools throughout the next few years to commemorate campus legacies around service, leadership and community engagement. Join us at one or all of these celebrations!
Celebrating the Past. Inspiring the Future.
Beginning in the Fall of 2024 and continuing through 2028, the Foundation will celebrate the eleven schools who initially adopted the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award during the 1925-26 through 1927-28 academic years. Please join us as we celebrate with these founding partner schools.
On Friday September 20, 2024, the Foundation kicked off our centennial celebrations with a reception at The Penn Club of New York.
New York City has a special place in the Foundations history. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan lived and worked in New York City. Mr. Sullivan, along with partner William Cromwell, founded the firm, Sullivan & Cromwell in New York City. The New York Southern Society created the Sullivan medallion in 1890 in honor of Mr. Sullivan’s life of service, prior to the Foundation’s creation.
New York City:
A Centennial Celebration to Remember
On Friday September 20, 2024, the Foundation will kickoff our centennial celebrations with a reception at The Penn Club of New York between 5:30 and 7:30 PM. This gathering will bring together past Sullivan Award recipients, as well as administrators and faculty from our partner schools, and the Foundation leadership to celebrate the organization’s legacy and its future.
The reception is free, although space is limited and Award recipients and their guest will have priority.
The first partner school to present the Algernon Sydney Sullivan medallion was Peabody College, presently the College of Education of Vanderbilt University. We celebrated this special evening signifying the first Sullivan Award ever presented by southern colleges and universities.
We were honored to display a special collection of George Sulivan’s art work while we celebrated being on the same stage as the 1st ever award. We also welcomed our two newest Sullivan schools, Belmont University and Fisk University.
100 Years Sullivan Showcase
The first partner school to present the Algernon Sydney Sullivan medallion was Peabody College, presently the College of Education of Vanderbilt University. Join us for this special evening signifying the first Sullivan Award ever presented by southern colleges and universities.
We will have a special collection of George Sulivan’s art work on display while we commemorate our beginning and welcome our newest Sullivan schools, Belmont University and Fisk University.
Tickets
Registration will open in the Fall of 2026. Space is limited and Rollins recipients will get first-priority. Other past recipients are welcome to join.
Reach out to Courtney Carlton with table inquiries or questions.
Registration Details
Attire is Business Casual
All tickets include access to the event. Note, this is during Rollins’ Alumni Weekend.
- 2:30 pm – Cocktail & Connections
- 3:00-3:30 p.m.– Centennial Presentation & 2027 Luminary Award
- 3:30-4:00 p.m.-Mingle & Photos
- 4:00 pm – Event ends
Hotel Recommendations
Although accommodation is not included with your registration, we encourage you to stay the night and book as soon as possible due to Rollins Alumni Weekend.
Recommended Hotels Include:
The Luminary Award celebrates the legacy of service leaders.
The Luminary Award celebrates the legacy of service leaders.
The Sullivan Award has long been one of the most prestigious student awards offered by our partner schools. Each year at the Sullivan Showcase, we honor one past Sullivan Award student recipient who has continued placing service above self throughout their lifetime.
Introducing our 2026 Luminary Award recipient: Ms. Amy Cantrell, Beloved Asheville, 1996 Converse University Recipient.
2025 Luminary Award Recipient: Ms. Julie Gherki, The Walmart Foundation, President & 2002 Rhodes College Algernon Sydney Sullivan Recipient
Introducing the 2024 Luminary Award Recipient: Mark Peres, 1985 Rollins College Algernon Sydney Sullivan Recipient
Learn more about the 2023 Luminary Award Recipient: Dr. John McCardell, 1971 Washington & Lee University, Former Vice Chancellor at Sewanee-Univ. of the South.
Nominations are OPEN for 2026 recipients.
Join the Movement: Be Part of the Legacy
The Sullivan Foundation’s mission of igniting lives of integrity and service extends far beyond its anniversary celebrations. The Foundation’s work of building a better future is ongoing, and there are numerous ways for individuals to get involved and contribute to the movement.
How to be part of the Legacy
How to be part of the Legacy
The Sullivan Foundation’s 100-year history is a testament to the transformative power of service and leadership development.
From the unwavering dedication of Algernon Sydney Sullivan to the countless individuals who have been empowered by the Foundation’s programs, the story of the Sullivan Foundation is one of hope, inspiration, and positive change.
As the Foundation embarks on its next century, it continues to ignite good in the hearts and minds of leaders, fostering a brighter future for communities everywhere. By joining forces, we can ensure that Algernon Sydney Sullivan’s legacy continues to inspire generations to come.
Upcoming
Dates & Locations
Upcoming Dates & Locations.
Sullivan Alumni Weekend
October 9-11, 2026
Location: Asheville-Lake Junaluska, NC
Join us for a weekend in the mountains, as we reconnect with past award recipients, as well as meet and engage with students and past recipients looking to make a positive impact in their communities and around the world.
Past recipients can engage in the Alumni Weekend in four ways:
1. Alumni Assembly-Open to any Sullivan program graduate or any past award recipients. Connect with past recipients for a service project, social outing and a group wellness experience, while also gaining insights into student leader projects and attending our annual student Fireside Chat. Registration costs=$400 (Includes lodging & meals Friday-Sunday + weekend experiences. Travel to Asheville is not included).
2. Ignite Retreat-Any new student recipient has the option to attend the Ignite Retreat as a participant. Engage in a weekend of social impact, entrepuership and meaningful conversation while choosing from our project, problem & personal tracks. Registration costs $575; this includes all meals, lodging and weekend program offerings; does not include travel. Sullivan can cover up to 12 student regsitration fees. Please reach out if you need assistance with registration fees.
3. Faculty Forum-If you’re a past award recipient working on a partner school or higher education campus, you may register as a faculyt/staff member for our faculty forum, which includes professional development, networking & faculty gatherings that spark meaningful change in your students. Encouraged to bring students to the Ignite Retreat.
Facilitator, coach or leadership panel opportunities are available. Contact Courtney Carlton for more informaiton.
Fall Alumni Gathering: Centennial Celebration with University of Kentucky
November 13, 2026 | Lexington, KY | The Good Barn
We are delighted to celebrate a legacy of service at The University of Kentucky this fall. We invite all past recipients and friends of Sullivan to join in an evening of connection and conversation.
This event will honor 100 years in which the school and foundation have partnered to present this prestigious award on campus. We will spotlight past recipients of the award from UK, hear from Sullivan leadership on programming & growth, as well as Kentucky leadership on the continued partnership for the next 100 years.
Note, there is a Univ. of KY football game Saturday following the event, so we encourage you to book your accomondations as soon as possible. Recommended hotels include: The Marriott City Center, Manchester Hotel, or The Campbell House-Curio Collection.
Spring Alumni Gathering: University of Alabama Centennial Celebration
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL | April 9, 2027
Join us for a memorable weekend honoring the University of Alabama’s newest award recipients while recognizing the longstanding Sullivan history and legacy on the campus.
We are excited to commemorate Alabama’s 100 years of presenting the Algernon Sydney Sullivan awards on their campus. We will honor this milestone with a reception and panel presentation of some notable Alabama recipients and community leaders. We will also hear from Sullivan leadership on the mission & student program offerings which will continue the legacy towards the next 100 years.
This is open to all past recipients, plus Alabama administrators and community members. Reach out to Courtney Carlton with any questions.
Want to host a social or alumni reception on your campus or in your community? Reach out to Courtney Carlton.
“Thank you SO much for this weekend! It was such a great way to start my Fall and I can’t wait to participate in more Sullivan events.”
Dani Biggs, Sullivan Alumni
Elon University
“Thank you SO much for this weekend! It was such a great way to start my Fall and I can’t wait to participate in more Sullivan events.”
Dani Biggs, Sullivan Alumni
Elon University
