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this photo shows Auburn University gymnast Sylvia Meredith in action on the beam

This Sullivan Award Recipient Is Also a Gymnastics Star at Auburn University

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April 11, 2021

Prior to the pandemic, Meredith Sylvia tutored and mentored middle and elementary school kids. During COVID-19, she has fostered more than 20 Humane Society animals in need of a home.

Esteemed Professor, Two Students Receive 2021 Sullivan Award from Auburn University

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April 11, 2021

Political Science Professor Steven Brown and College of Sciences and Mathematics students William Illiano and Meredith Sylvia are this year’s recipients of the prestigious Sullivan Award.

Julie Copeland: Time Can Be Your Greatest Ally and Your Worst Enemy

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April 5, 2021

This Wofford College alumnus and Sullivan Award recipient chose a career in HR because "human capital is an organization's greatest asset, and, hence, I wanted to have an influence and impact on people."

Rafael Egues, Jr.: We're All Unique and Important Pieces of a Larger Puzzle

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April 5, 2021

This Auburn alumnus and 1981 Sullivan Award winner cares deeply about mental health, substance abuse and the homeless, but he's most passionate about combating hopelessness.

Changemakers Can Leap Back into Action With Sullivan's Summer Leadership Workshops in May

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April 5, 2021

The Summer Workshops for Leadership and Transformative Action program will help students build their leadership skills and create transformative action plans for solving real-world problems.

Students Learn to Supercharge Their Lives and Careers in Skills-Based Sessions This April

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April 5, 2021

From choosing a career to networking and storytelling, the Sullivan Foundation’s new series of free online sessions will provide the real-world guidance that college students and changemakers are looking for.

Sullivan Stars

This Sullivan Award Recipient Is Also a Gymnastics Star at Auburn University

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April 11, 2021

Prior to the pandemic, Meredith Sylvia tutored and mentored middle and elementary school kids. During COVID-19, she has fostered more than 20 Humane Society animals in need of a home.

Esteemed Professor, Two Students Receive 2021 Sullivan Award from Auburn University

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April 11, 2021

Political Science Professor Steven Brown and College of Sciences and Mathematics students William Illiano and Meredith Sylvia are this year’s recipients of the prestigious Sullivan Award.

Sullivan Scholar Sarah Guest of Vanderbilt Aims to Become a School Leader

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January 25, 2021

Currently a third-grade teacher in Antioch, Tenn. and pursuing her master's degree, Sarah Guest talks about how her experiences at Vandy have helped her "gain more confidence in my strengths as a leader in education."

Dr. Sarah Imam of The Citadel Teaches Students the Human Side of Medicine

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January 7, 2021

Dr. Imam, a past Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award recipient and a professor of health and human performance at The Citadel, hasn't forgotten that patients are people, too, and she makes sure her students don't forget either.

Past Sullivan Award Winner Helps Prepare Girls of Color for Careers in Science

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December 22, 2020

Dr. Cagney Coomer, who recently earned her Ph.D. in biology from the University of Kentucky, founded the Nerd Squad to introduce girls of color from low-income communities to exciting career possibilities in STEM.

this photo shows Zachary Wilson, the recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Scholarship at Rust College

Zachary Wilson Receives Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation Scholarship at Rust College

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November 10, 2020

Wilson is the second recipient of the Sullivan Scholarship at the historically black college in Holly Springs, Miss.

Sullivan Alumni Spotlight

Julie Copeland: Time Can Be Your Greatest Ally and Your Worst Enemy

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April 5, 2021

This Wofford College alumnus and Sullivan Award recipient chose a career in HR because "human capital is an organization's greatest asset, and, hence, I wanted to have an influence and impact on people."

Police Psychologist Kimberly Miller Works Through Law Enforcement to Help the Underserved

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April 5, 2021

Dr. Miller, a 1993 Auburn graduate and Sullivan Award winner, believes God put her on the planet to make it a better place.

Rafael Egues, Jr.: We're All Unique and Important Pieces of a Larger Puzzle

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April 5, 2021

This Auburn alumnus and 1981 Sullivan Award winner cares deeply about mental health, substance abuse and the homeless, but he's most passionate about combating hopelessness.

Campbell University Grad Shelley Varner-Perez Focuses on Spiritual Care Outcomes for Patients

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March 3, 2021

Shelley Varner-Perez, who holds a Master of Divinity degree, combined her interests in religion, community service and the humanities to become a spiritual care researcher.

True Romance: Alice Lloyd College Grads Reflect on Decades of Teaching Kentucky's Youth

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February 2, 2021

As long-married educators, Johnny and Mary Belcher, both past winners of the Sullivan Award from Alice Lloyd College, have dedicated their lives to helping their students unlock their hidden potential and escape poverty.

Papa Viva: Rollins College Alumnus Creates Safe Haven for Families Affected by AIDS

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February 2, 2021

Camp Viva, a summer sleepaway camp cofounded by Sullivan Award recipient Tony Lembeck, has been helping parents and children cope with the HIV virus since 1994.

Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Changemakers Can Leap Back into Action With Sullivan's Summer Leadership Workshops in May

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April 5, 2021

The Summer Workshops for Leadership and Transformative Action program will help students build their leadership skills and create transformative action plans for solving real-world problems.

this is a promotional photo showing plant-based foods available from national wholesaler VEDGEco

Purpose-Driven VEDGEco Is First National Wholesaler of Plant-Based Foods

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March 30, 2021

Founder Trevor Hitch said VEDGEco, headquartered in Kailua, Hawaii, has been a purpose-driven business from the start, prioritizing people, animals and the planet over profit.

Rapper J.I.D. and MOD Pizza Join Forces to Help People Struggling in the Pandemic

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March 25, 2021

To launch Random Acts of MODness, MOD Pizza, a leading social-impact company in the restaurant sector, and the Grammy-nominated rapper presented a new car to a woman who lost her job and insurance in the pandemic.

this shows the founders of Bold Xchange, a company that helps black-owned businesses find new customers

Elon University Social Entrepreneurs Help Black-Owned Businesses Find New Customers

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March 19, 2021

Founded by Danielle Deavens and Doug Spencer, Bold Xchange offers a convenient way to find Black-owned companies across the country and promises fast shipping, vetted products and loyalty rewards.

this photo shows news anchor Lu Parker wearing a t-shirt from her company, Be Kind & Co.

The Citadel Alumnus, Former Miss USA Lu Parker Spreads Kindness Through Entrepreneurship

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March 15, 2021

"I have never given up on the belief that kindness can create huge change," says L.A. news anchor Lu Parker, founder of Be Kind & Co., which recently launched a new line of kindness apparel.

this photo shows biodegradable, sustainable straws and eating utensils being tested at Shake Shack

Shake Shack Starts Testing Sustainable, Biodegradable Straws and Cutlery

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March 4, 2021

Manufactured by Restore Foodware, the plastic-free straws and cutlery are made with AirCarbon, a natural, carbon-negative material that feels like plastic but degrades naturally if it ends up in the environment.

Education and Community Development

Women's Organizations Provide Strong Support Network at University of Alabama

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April 12, 2021

To help female students succeed and thrive, there are more than 50 women-centered organizations with a wide range of interests and focus areas at the University of Alabama.

UK Alum Creates Scholarship Foundation for Black Students with GPA of 2.0 or Better

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April 11, 2021

Aaron Porter, a journalism graduate from the University of Kentucky, and his cousins have started the Lawson Porter Scholarship Foundation to ease the burden of college expenses for Black students.

Students Learn to Supercharge Their Lives and Careers in Skills-Based Sessions This April

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April 5, 2021

From choosing a career to networking and storytelling, the Sullivan Foundation’s new series of free online sessions will provide the real-world guidance that college students and changemakers are looking for.

Auburn’s Sullivan Award Winners Are Part of a Proud Lineage Dating Back 70 Years

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April 5, 2021

Since its partnership with the foundation began in 1951, Auburn University has given the Sullivan Award to 190 changemakers, including Tammy Beasley, Sean Akers and, most recently, gymnast Meredith Sylvia.

Lit Up and On Fire: Wofford College and Sullivan Foundation Create “Transformative” Experiences

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April 5, 2021

Jessalyn Story, director of Wofford's Center for Community-Based Learning, says the college's association with the Sullivan Foundation is "the epitome of integrity and service to humanity and all that’s good and right in the world."

this photo shows Christine Condo, a prominent advocate for people with autism and invisible disabilities

George Mason Graduate Student Advocates for Those With 'Invisible Disabilities'

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March 25, 2021

Christine Condo earned her diploma and two bachelor's degrees before being diagnosed with autism, but she still feels the need to hide it, which leads to what she calls the "Autism Paradox."

Environment and Climate

Shake Shack Starts Testing Sustainable, Biodegradable Straws and Cutlery

0 Comments

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March 4, 2021

Manufactured by Restore Foodware, the plastic-free straws and cutlery are made with AirCarbon, a natural, carbon-negative material that feels like plastic but degrades naturally if it ends up in the environment.

this photo shows several vet techs working with a huge elephant at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee

For the Love of Elephants: Furman University Alum Educates Public About Plight of Pachyderms

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February 17, 2021

Joy Owens, an educator at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn., wants people to understand that elephants are highly intelligent animals with complex emotions and health needs.

This photo shows a young woman walking across a beautiful bridge in a scenic area of Warren Wilson College, one of the country's top sustainable campuses.

Warren Wilson Recognized as a Top Sustainable College

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December 17, 2020

Warren Wilson College, which has made sustainability a key part of its mission, ranked third place overall among baccalaureate institutions in AASHE's 2020 Sustainable Campus Index.

this photo shows a pizza made with food waste ingredients from Shuggie's Trash Pies and Natural Wine, a sustainable restaurant opening this spring in San Francisco

This Sustainable Restaurant Will Top Its Pizzas With Rejected Veggies to Combat Food Waste

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November 18, 2020

Founded by Kayla Abe and David Murphy, Shuggie's Trash Pies and Natural Wine, opening this spring in San Francisco, will help customers fight climate change through their food.

this photo shows a sheep grazing on the grass around Furman University's solar farm

Furman University Announces New Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities

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November 12, 2020

The Shi Institute, an outgrowth of Furman's David E. Shi Center for Sustainability, promotes sustainable human flourishing through its centers for sustainability education, research and leadership.

this photo shows Catawba College students who helped the school become one of the country's Top 50 Green Colleges

Two Sullivan Foundation Partner Schools Ranked Among Top 50 Green Colleges

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October 28, 2020

Catawba College and Guilford College, both located in North Carolina, were honored for their commitment to sustainability, both in on-campus best practices and in their educational curriculums.

Social Justice and Equality

UK Alum Creates Scholarship Foundation for Black Students with GPA of 2.0 or Better

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April 11, 2021

Aaron Porter, a journalism graduate from the University of Kentucky, and his cousins have started the Lawson Porter Scholarship Foundation to ease the burden of college expenses for Black students.

this photo, showing a sad, frightened little girl in a developing nation, illustrates the problem of human trafficking

North Carolina Wesleyan College Joins the Battle Against Human Trafficking

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March 26, 2021

With its upcoming Barefoot Mile fundraiser, NC Wesleyan wants to raise $15,000 for JOY International, a nonprofit that has helped more than 2,000 victims of human trafficking, including children, teens and women.

George Mason Graduate Student Advocates for Those With 'Invisible Disabilities'

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March 25, 2021

Christine Condo earned her diploma and two bachelor's degrees before being diagnosed with autism, but she still feels the need to hide it, which leads to what she calls the "Autism Paradox."

Elon University Social Entrepreneurs Help Black-Owned Businesses Find New Customers

0 Comments

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March 19, 2021

Founded by Danielle Deavens and Doug Spencer, Bold Xchange offers a convenient way to find Black-owned companies across the country and promises fast shipping, vetted products and loyalty rewards.

This Black-Owned Food Delivery Company Helps Make Black-Owned Restaurants More Competitive

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February 23, 2021

Twin brothers David and Aaron Cabello founded Black and Mobile to provide exposure for Black restaurateurs in urban communities, and their business now operates in three major cities.

this photo shows Tabitha Peck of Davidson College in a virtual reality environment at Duke University

Can Virtual Reality Help Combat Negative Stereotypes?

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January 12, 2021

In NSF-funded research by Tabitha Peck and Jessica Good of Davidson College, working with female VR avatars sheds light on stereotype threat, a phenomenon in which people unwittingly fulfill negative stereotypes about their groups.

Poverty and Hunger

Alabama, Auburn Students Join Forces To Help Food-Insecure Families

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March 30, 2021

The End Child Hunger in Alabama (ECHA) County Food Guide Project connects Alabama families in crisis with food resources in their communities.

Berea College Program Serves Thousands of Free Nutritious Meals Three Days a Week to Children in Need

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February 12, 2021

A partnership between Berea College, Grow Appalachia, the USDA and the Kentucky Department of Education, Berea Kids Eat also helps keep local restaurants in business while supporting area farmers.

this is a photo of a group of cute kids who benefit from No Kid Hungry's campaign to combat food insecurity

President's Executive Order Will Provide More Federal Aid for Anti-Hunger Nonprofits

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February 10, 2021

President Biden has directed FEMA to increase its share of funds supporting nonprofit/restaurant partnerships that address food insecurity, ensuring more free meals can be delivered to people in need while also saving jobs for restaurant employees.

UVA Pediatric Team Works to Bring Fresh, Healthy Foods to Families in Need

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January 25, 2021

A food insecurity project, spearheaded by UVA pediatric surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Gander in partnership with Local Food Hub's Fresh Farmacy program, also aims to help combat childhood obesity.

Berry College Partners With Homeless Shelter to Train Urban Farmers

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January 7, 2021

Berry College's environmental science and studies students will also work alongside shelter residents in the gardens and farm to provide fresh produce for the shelters’ dinners.

LMU Students Lead Drive to Help Address Food Insecurity During the Holidays

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December 8, 2020

Lincoln Memorial University students donated a total of 1,561 cans and 77 decorated Thanksgiving meal boxes in a late-November food drive for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Health and Wellness

These Mercer University Student Volunteers Have Administered Thousands of COVID-19 Vaccines

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March 25, 2021

"I’ve given so many shots, but I’ve never given a shot that made me feel like I was actually, really changing lives,” said one student in the physician assistant program in Mercer's College of Health Professions.

Ole Miss Pharmacy Professor Helps the Underserved of the Mississippi Delta

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February 27, 2021

Through her work with the Mississippi Delta Health Collaborative, Meagan Brown shows that pharmacists can make a real difference for patients dealing with cardiometabolic diseases.

Nursing Students at Tennessee Wesleyan University Volunteering to Boost Vaccination Efforts

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February 17, 2021

More than 30 TWU student and faculty volunteers have dedicated 250-plus hours of service at Covenant Health locations around Knoxville, Tenn. in the fight against the pandemic.

UVA Pediatric Team Works to Bring Fresh, Healthy Foods to Families in Need

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January 25, 2021

A food insecurity project, spearheaded by UVA pediatric surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Gander in partnership with Local Food Hub's Fresh Farmacy program, also aims to help combat childhood obesity.

New Research Division at Duke University Merges AI With Medical Science

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January 21, 2021

The Division of Artificial Intelligence and Computational Pathology, a joint project between Duke's engineering and medical schools, will support research to develop artificial intelligence technologies for better diagnosing and predicting cancer and other diseases.

this photo shows Dr. Elizabeth Gleim setting up tick arenas for her Lyme disease research at Hollins University

Hollins University's "Tick Lady" Works to Combat Lyme Disease

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January 20, 2021

Dr. Elizabeth Gleim has collected 50,000 ticks in an effort to understand why Southwest Virginia has become a hotspot for Lyme disease and whether prescribed fires can help reduce the risk to humans.

Service, Social Entrepreneurship, and Changemaking News Across the American Southeast

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