Algernon Sydney Sullivan Scholar Program

We are pleased to offer the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Scholar Program at Guilford College, one of the original college/university campuses in the United States where the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation created both a scholarship fund and an award program.

Algernon Sydney Sullivan was a lawyer, a spiritual and thoughtful leader, a noted philanthropist, a devoted family man and a courageous citizen during perilous times. Nobel character and traits related to ethical and moral values, including honesty, morality, ethics, integrity, responsibility, determination, courage and compassion are a must for those students who are selected for the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation Scholarship. Students must show they serve the needs of others and the community.

This program offers a $10,000 renewable scholarship each year.

Expectations of Program

During the first year, engage in a minimum of 80 hours of service work with a community partner with review and approval by the Guilford College designated faculty adviser.

At the beginning of the second year, identify a social need or gap being experienced in the communities with which they worked that could be addressed through innovation and leadership.

• Upon review and approval by the faculty advisor, design an innovative program or tool that would address this social issue.
• Enroll in one of the classes that may support them as they engage in their program design.
• The program or tool will also include an ethical leadership context and framework.
  • This consists of an understanding that everything a leader does is within an ethical context. Ethical decision-making is guided by the standards and values that reflect us "at our best."
  • Ethical decision-making flows from a commitment to act in ways that promote fundamental values and principles such as equity, dignity, compassion, the lessening of suffering, and flourishing relationships and communities.
  • Also, included is the ability to see a wide range of possibilities and adopt fresh approaches, for addressing an existing ethical challenge or preventing one from arising in the first place. The model includes three different levels where leadership can be demonstrated: individual, group and community level.
• This program will be led by the scholarship recipient but may be collaborative in nature, involving community members or students and faculty from disciplines that would enhance their social innovation project.

In the third year, implement this program or tool.

• Toward the end of this year, conduct an assessment of the program or tool and make improvements.

In the fourth year, continue the program or tool.

• In this year, ascertain options for sustainability and continuation of the program.
• Toward the end of this year, conduct a workshop or talk for fellow students and/or members of the greater community, to share their learning from this experience as an Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation Service and Ethical Leadership Scholar.