As the sun set over New York City on September 20, 2024, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation gathered at The Penn Club in Midtown Manhattan to celebrate a remarkable milestone—its Centennial Celebration. A hundred years of honoring servant leadership, character, and a commitment to doing good in the world were commemorated, but the evening was more than a tribute to the past. It was a poignant reminder that in today’s world, character still matters, perhaps more than ever.

The skyline, filled with gleaming towers and modernism, was a stark contrast to the vision Algernon Sydney Sullivan might have seen over a century ago when he first moved to this bustling city. Yet, despite all that has changed, much remains the same. The need for compassion, integrity, and selfless service to others endures, as does the legacy of Sullivan himself.

Frederic C. Rich, a retired partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, captured the essence of the man who started it all in his opening remarks at the Centennial Celebration’s inaugural event. “All of us share a common legacy—and that is the legacy of Algernon Sydney Sullivan,” he said, setting a reflective tone for the evening. “Sullivan believed deeply in justice, fairness, and the importance of character. He was a man who understood that true leadership is not about position or power but about the responsibility we carry to uplift those around us.”

Born in Madison, Indiana, in 1826, Sullivan was a figure of moral courage and public duty, who recognized the weight of responsibility that came with his privilege and education. After college, Sullivan journeyed east to New York, where he co-founded Sullivan & Cromwell with William Nelson Cromwell in 1879. The firm quickly became synonymous with corporate law, but for Sullivan, the law was not merely a career—it was a vehicle for public good.

“Sullivan’s focus was on fighting corruption, working as New York’s Public Administrator, and engaging in wide-ranging philanthropy,” Rich explained. This commitment to the public good resonated with the stories Rich shared about Sullivan’s life. One such story was of Sullivan’s defense of Confederate sailors during the Civil War, a defense he undertook not out of support for the southern cause but out of belief in the rule of law. “His decision to undertake the defense of the crew of the Savannah was a testament to the importance of the rule of law, even when the cause was deeply unpopular,” Rich noted. Sullivan’s unyielding sense of justice, even when it put him at personal risk, exemplified his character.

The Savannah Case and Moral Courage

The Savannah case became a defining moment in Sullivan’s career, and it was a story that resonated deeply during the centennial celebration. At the outset of the Civil War, the Confederate schooner Savannah was captured, and its crew was brought to New York, where they faced trial for piracy—a capital offense. As Rich recounted, Sullivan volunteered to represent these sailors, even though the popular sentiment in the North was fiercely against them. This wasn’t about supporting the Confederacy; Sullivan was a staunch opponent of slavery. Instead, it was about upholding justice and treating prisoners of war according to international norms. Despite public threats against his life, Sullivan persisted, and his passionate defense ensured the crew was treated as prisoners of war rather than executed. Rich added, “Sullivan’s closing argument was so powerful that the judge, reportedly moved to tears, descended from the bench to embrace him. It was an act of moral courage that left an indelible mark on New York’s legal community.”

Rich shared how this commitment to doing what was right, even when unpopular, became a cornerstone of Sullivan & Cromwell’s identity. This tradition carried through the generations, manifesting most recently in the actions of Mike Cooper, a senior partner at the firm, who represented a Tunisian detainee held at Guantanamo Bay. Much like Sullivan, Cooper took on this case pro bono, despite facing public criticism. After nine years of dedicated work, Cooper successfully secured the detainee’s release. Rich emphasized, “The values that Algernon Sullivan upheld—the courage to take on the tough cases, the commitment to justice—are alive and well at Sullivan & Cromwell today.”

A Legacy of Inclusion: John F. Quarles

Another profound story that Rich shared was Sullivan’s role in helping John F. Quarles, an African American man born into slavery, become the first Black lawyer admitted to the New York bar. In the 1880s, no other lawyer in New York was willing to nominate Quarles, and without such a nomination, he could not be admitted. Sullivan recognized the injustice in this and stepped forward to nominate Quarles, enabling him to begin his legal career. “It was the right thing to do,” Rich said simply, capturing the essence of Sullivan’s motivation. The story of Quarles is a reminder that Sullivan’s work wasn’t just about grand gestures—it was about the quiet, persistent work of breaking down barriers, one act at a time.

The Centennial Celebration and Looking Forward

These stories, though drawn from the 19th century, echoed across the room in 2024. The values that defined Sullivan’s life—character, courage, and service—remain vital today in a world that often seems fractured and in need of strong moral leadership. As Rich emphasized, “Character is more important than ever. In a world that often seems divided and uncertain, we need individuals who are willing to stand up for what is right, not for personal gain, but because it is simply the right thing to do.”

But the Centennial Celebration was not just a look back—it was also a launchpad for the future. The Sullivan Foundation is committed to continuing its mission of fostering servant leaders, and the next few years will be filled with events honoring the original schools that first presented the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. Vanderbilt University, Rollins College, Mercer University, William & Mary, and several others have long been the stewards of Sullivan’s ideals. Each will host its own centennial celebration, ensuring that the legacy of service and integrity continues to inspire future generations.

In Spring 2025, the Sullivan Showcase will be held in Nashville, honoring 100 years of service at Vanderbilt University, the first institution to present the Sullivan Award. In Fall 2025, William & Mary will host a special Alumni Reception, paying tribute to its own 100-year relationship with the Foundation. Mercer University will hold a centennial celebration in Spring 2026, followed by events at the University of Kentucky in Fall 2026, Rollins College in Spring 2027, and the University of Alabama in Fall 2027. Each celebration will not only reflect on the past century but also lay the groundwork for the next.

The Sullivan Fellows Program and Luminary Award

As these events unfold, they will serve as a testament to Sullivan’s enduring impact on education, leadership, and service. The Sullivan Fellows Program, one of the Foundation’s most powerful initiatives, continues to nurture young leaders who embrace Sullivan’s values. Every year, a new class of Fellows steps into communities, offering their time, passion, and talents to causes that uplift others.

Steve McDavid, president of the Sullivan Foundation, spoke with great pride about the program and the young leaders it cultivates. “The Sullivan Fellows Program is about more than just leadership—it’s about character. We are helping young people understand that true leadership is rooted in service, and that the greatest measure of success is not what you achieve for yourself, but what you do for others.”

The Centennial celebrations will also spotlight the Sullivan Luminary Award, presented annually to honor past Sullivan Award recipients. This award, like the Foundation itself, is a reminder that the values Algernon Sydney Sullivan championed are timeless and that the individuals who carry his legacy forward are as important today as they were a century ago.

The Firm Today: Continuing the Legacy

As Rich pointed out during his speech, Sullivan’s influence extends beyond the Foundation itself. “At Sullivan & Cromwell today, I’m pleased to report that Sullivan’s legacy burns bright, not just in words, but as a call to action.” In 2023 alone, the firm’s lawyers dedicated over 65,000 hours to pro bono work. From helping asylum seekers to fighting for access to medical care for marginalized groups, the work Sullivan & Cromwell does today is a reflection of the values that Sullivan upheld throughout his life.

This commitment to service is shared by the Foundation, which continues to work closely with schools and communities to inspire servant leadership. McDavid summed up this mission succinctly: “The work we do today, through our awards, our Fellows, and our partnerships with schools, is all about building a better world. And it’s a world where character matters, where service matters, and where the legacy of Algernon Sydney Sullivan continues to guide us.”

Carrying the Torch Forward

As the night in New York drew to a close, there was a palpable sense of both accomplishment and anticipation. The Centennial Celebration had honored the past, but more importantly, it had set the stage for the next hundred years. The Sullivan Foundation, along with its partner schools, corporate allies, and alumni, is committed to carrying Sullivan’s legacy forward, ensuring that his values of integrity, service, and humility continue to inspire future generations.

Rich closed his remarks with a sentiment that resonated deeply with those in attendance: “We will carry this legacy forward, because, as Algernon himself believed, a life of service is a life well-lived. And the work we do today will ensure that his ideals continue to shine brightly for the next hundred years.”

A Call to Action

As the evening wrapped up, the message was clear: the work of the Sullivan Foundation is far from finished. For those who attended, the Centennial Celebration was not just a commemoration of history, but a call to action, a reminder that in a world often focused on personal success, true greatness lies in our ability to lift others up.

The next century of the Sullivan Foundation promises to be as impactful as the first, driven by the same values of character, service, and leadership that Algernon Sydney Sullivan exemplified. And as the Foundation moves forward, it does so with the knowledge that, as Rich so aptly put it, “Algernon’s legacy is not confined to the past; it is alive in every good work we do.”

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