The Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan awards are presented to deserving individuals at more than 70 universities.

The awards were first presented by the membership of the New York Southern Society, co-founded by former U.S. President Grover Cleveland.

The awards recognize college students and members of the college community who have demonstrated noble character and acted as humble servants, placing service to others before self-interest.

At many Sullivan Foundation partner schools, the awards are considered the most prestigious awards bestowed upon students.

Typically awarded to graduating seniors, student recipients are honored for their service to the campus community and the community at large.

Sullivan Award recipients come from a wide range of backgrounds and have gone on to have careers in everything from medicine, law, science, dance, engineering and entrepreneurship.

• Seth Shelden – UN Liaison for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN); 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.
• Ken Mattingly – U.S. Astronaut who flew on Apollo 16.
• Mister (Fred) Rogers – TV Personality; creator and host of the preschool television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
• Eleanor Roosevelt – U.S. First Lady from 1933 to 1945 (longest serving in U.S. history); diplomat, and activist.
• Kitty O’Brien Joyner – First female engineer at NASA.
• James F. Brynes – Supreme Court Justice, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of State.
• Hester Davis – Arkansas’ first State Archaeologist

• Lewis Powell Jr. – Supreme Court Justice from 1971 to 1987.
• Cynthia Bathurst – Animal rights activist.
• Patrick Matsikenyiri – Prominent pastor, African music educator, and hymn writer.
• Lanecia Rouse Tinsley – Artist, speaker and writer.
• William Henry Willimon – Prominent theologian and bishop.
• Wil Lou Gray – Innovator in alternative education.
• Robert Gates – U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011.
• Betty Rosenquest Pratt – Women’s Tennis Star and women’s rights activist.
• Nathan Deal – Georgia Governor from 2011 to 2019.