Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is an award presented to graduating seniors, alumni, and community members of selected colleges and universities in the Southern United States for excellence of character and service to humanity.  At Elon, two graduating seniors and one faculty or staff member are recognized annually for their honesty, morality, ethics, integrity, responsibility, determination, courage, and compassion.

Presented by Jon Dooley, Vice President of Student Life and Associate Professor of Education

Transcript of Commendations

Jon Dooley, Vice President of Student Life and Associate Professor of Education

Each year the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is presented to two students and one faculty or staff member.  Sponsored by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation, these awards recognize college students across the country who put service of others before self-interest. We celebrate individuals here at Elon who demonstrate the highest standards of character, integrity, and leadership in service to others and the community.

One of our recipients this year is Arianne Payne, a senior from Chicago, Il majoring in English with a Communications Design minor. Ari is someone that many refer to as a positive role model and caring mentor. She has been involved in student life and admissions and in various student organizations and university centers—the CREDE, Black Student Union, being a diversity ambassador for the Admissions office—for most of the time she’s been a student at Elon.

A staff member wrote “At the root of Ari’s service to the community is concern for marginalized populations of varying identities. She always thinks beyond herself and encourages other leaders to consider perspectives of those who don’t always have the opportunity to have their voices heard.”

Another nominator said, “I wholeheartedly agree that Arianne is extremely deserving of this award. She has exuded a presence and a love for others that encourages them to draw closer into her space. She helps the lonely feel welcomed, provides sage advice, and is constantly giving of herself to others in a way that is effortless and beautiful.”

A faculty member shared, “Arianne is very possibly the most intellectually curious student I’ve ever worked with and I think that curiosity fuels her desire to make her community and the wider world a more loving, inclusive, fair, beautiful place for all people to live.  I’m thrilled to know she has been nominated for this award.”

It is with great pleasure I award the 2020 Algernon Sydney Sullivan award to Arianne Payne.