May 17, 2010

It is my privilege to announce the student and community recipients of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. It is given annually on this day to those individuals who possess "fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living, usually going to persons who have given unselfish service without due recognition."

The 2010 student recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is from Lincoln, Massachusetts. Actually, we should have known what was ahead with her when she deferred her start at Davidson to walk the Appalachian Trail ....by herself. Class of 2010, it's a good thing for you have had the joy of knowing her and her impact for the past four years.

Many of her actions since have been just as "hidden on a trail" from others, selfless service often behind the scenes. She has quietly persisted, with her characteristic determination, vision, intelligence and charm, to change the shape of our college and community. She wrote a proposal to the College to establish the Eco-House - an environmentally conscious collection of 10 students who live and promote an eco-sensitive lifestyle on campus. She then served as an RA for the house in addition to two other years with Residence Life.

When she learned that the town was interested in establishing a Farmer's Market with locally grown food, she immediately got involved and has since served on their Board. When she heard that those on food stamps couldn't use them at the Market, she led efforts to get an EBT machine on site.

She has also integrated environmental issues into her coursework with her thesis focused on mountain top coal removal.

For her friends she is loyal, passionate, patient, ethical, and unwavering in her support. She possesses qualities that come from a lifetime of deep, engaged service to others.

Perhaps the greatest testament to her generous spirit comes in a brief story. She is on a scholarship and receives generous aid from her father's workplace. She decided that it was more that she needed and sought to give her scholarship up to another student who deserved it more. She did so without fanfare and without the student knowing who made it possible; simply because it was the right thing to do.

For all you have done to make this community, on and off campus, a more responsible and sustainable one; for leading by example in spirit, mind and action, for doing so with humility and unwavering good will, today we honor you and celebrate you as the 2010 student recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award -- Kathleen "Katie" Elizabeth Epstein.