Sullivan Welcomes John McCardell, Thanks Betsy Verner for 19 Years of Service

Honoring Excellence and Service

In the realm of philanthropy and community service, two recipients of the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award have made their mark. John McCardell, well-known for a lifetime of service in education and leadership, recently joined the Board of Directors for the Sullivan Foundation. While Betsy Verner recently completed her time of service on the board, but remains a dedicated advocate for the work of the Sullivan Foundation.

John McCardell: A Luminary of Higher Education

John M. McCardell Jr., a well-known historian and educator, has left his mark on the academic landscape. Serving as the Vice-Chancellor and President of Sewanee: The University of the South, McCardell brought a wealth of experience and passion for learning to the job. His journey in academia, leadership and service has been nothing short of remarkable.

A Maryland native, John McCardell began his academic journey at Washington and Lee University, where he graduated in 1971. He then moved on to The Johns Hopkins University and later to Harvard University, where he earned his Ph.D. in history in 1976. Although McCardell specialized in 19th-century U.S. history, with a focus on the Old South and American historiography, he is perhaps more well-known for being forward-looking. As one peer explained it, “He is a historian that is forward-looking. He’s reading the past, but not as if the past is at a distance removed from us, but he sees how the past is simultaneously complicating and also enriching our present.”

McCardell’s commitment to education extended beyond his own educational pursuits. He served as Middlebury College’s president for over a decade, from 1992 until 2004, and his leadership was also extended into athletics, where he chaired the Division III Presidents’ Council of the NCAA in 2003-04, leading successful reform efforts.

McCardell is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa and has received grants and fellowships from The National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Philosophical Society, and the Institute for Southern Studies. Most recently McCardell received the Sullivan Foundation’s Luminary Award. The Luminary Award is presented to a past Sullivan Award student recipient who has continued on a lifelong path of placing service above self.

A Lasting Legacy

The Foundation is proud to have individuals like John McCardell and Betsy Verner as part of its legacy. Through their commitment to education, community service, and leadership, they inspire and uplift those who aspire to make the world a better place. We will miss Betsy’s guidance greatly, but welcome John’s perspective as we move forward.