CIC Award for Philanthropy (Individual)
Presented to George Birdsong
George Birdsong, CEO of Birdsong Corporation, is synonymous with extraordinary philanthropic support and leadership in Virginia. An ardent supporter of independent higher education, Birdsong has served since 1994 as a member of the Board of Trustees (including two years as chair) of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC), a 65-member board of significant business leaders that annually contributes over $3 million to 16 independent VFIC member colleges and universities. He also served on the Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees for 21 years (including three years as chair).
George Birdsong and the Birdsong Corporation have given millions of dollars to support scholarships, academic programs, athletics, capital projects, and unrestricted giving at Paul D. Camp Community College, and CIC member institutions Randolph-Macon College, Virginia Wesleyan University, and Washington & Lee University, as well as many other educational and charitable organizations. The Virginia House of Delegates filed a joint resolution to honor Birdsong’s numerous contributions. Recognizing that his philanthropy has served as a model for others, the presidents of the nation’s independent colleges and universities honor his distinguished record of generosity and service.
History of the Philanthropy Award—Individual
The historical and literal definition of “philanthropy” is the “love of humankind.” This award celebrates an individual or individuals who demonstrate this love through consequential giving—either in volunteer service or financial support or both—to independent colleges and universities that share the mission of the Council of Independent Colleges. The award honors those who, by their example, provide a beacon for others to follow.
Although every independent college and university president can identify individuals whose contributions have been significant in the life of a particular institution, CIC recognizes with this award individuals who have been important to more than one college or university. Recent examples have included individuals who have provided major support to several different institutions, or to all of the private colleges and universities in one state, or to a number of institutions affiliated with a specific religious denomination. In addition, these philanthropists have often further distinguished themselves by sustained commitment, or by drawing attention to critical needs not yet well supported.
PREVIOUS PHILANTHROPY AWARD RECIPIENTS
2023: James F. Dicke II and Janet St. Claire Dicke
2022: Robert and Karen Hale
2021: Henry B. and Patricia Bush Tippie
2020: Timothy H. and Sharon Williams Ubben
2019: Robert O. Carr
2018: Ronda E. Stryker and William D. Johnston
2016: O. Jay and Patricia Tomson
2015: Roger Mudd
2014: Joan and Macon Brock
2013: E. Ronald Salvitti
2012: T. Jerome and Carolyn Rae McGonigle Holleran
2011: Red and Charline McCombs
2010: William T. Young, Jr. and Barbara Smith Young
2009: Craig Dykstra
2008: H. F. (Gerry) and Marguerite Lenfest
2007: Marvin Suomi
2006: Maynard and Carolyn Sauder
2004: Stanley M. and Helen Jensen Howe
2003: Elizabeth Perkins Protho
2002: John and Constance Vucurevich
2000: Julie J. Kidd
CIC Award for Philanthropy (Organization)
Presented to TheDream.US
TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college and career success program for undocumented youth, believes everyone, regardless of where they were born, should have equitable access to a college education, a meaningful career, and opportunities to contribute to the communities they call home. To achieve this mission, TheDream.US has subsidized the tuition of hundreds of undocumented students attending institutions across the country (including more than 15 CIC colleges and universities). TheDream.US offers a national scholarship program to undocumented students and has an active network of partner institutions and alumni throughout the country. It evolves along with students’ needs, more recently providing loans for graduate education and creating even more generous “opportunity” scholarships for undocumented students to cover travel expenses.
History of the Philanthropy Award—Organization
Philanthropic foundations and corporate giving programs support innovative thinking and the development of ideas and programs. As important cultural agents, they focus the nation’s attention on pressing issues facing our society. This award celebrates a foundation or corporation whose support to CIC or private colleges and universities has demonstrated leadership and vision and consequently has made a significant difference in the vitality of independent higher education.
With this award, CIC seeks to honor philanthropic organizations, whether their scope is national or regional, that have made the support of independent colleges and universities a priority in their funding or have discovered that independent institutions are particularly successful grantees in addressing the funding organization’s priority areas. Many of the foundations and corporations that have received this award also have demonstrated sustained commitment to independent higher education over a number of years and even decades.
PREVIOUS PHILANTHROPY AWARD RECIPIENTS
2023: The Jaharis Family Foundation
2022: The Cannon Charitable Interests
2021: The Duke Endowment
2020: Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Inc.
2019: The Bernard Osher Foundation
2018: Newman’s Own Foundation
2017: Research Corporation for Science Advancement
2016: The Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation
2015: James S. Kemper Foundation
2013: Coca-Cola Company
2012: The John R. Oishei Foundation
2011: The Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation
The Walmart Foundation
2010: The Bernard McDonough Foundation
2009: Shelby M. C. Davis United World College Scholars Program
2008: Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation
2007: George I. Alden Trust
2006: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Davis Educational Foundation
2005: The UPS Foundation
2004: Scholarship America
2003: Jessie Ball DuPont Fund
2002: The Bush Foundation
2001: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
2000: The Kresge Foundation
The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust
CIC Allen P. Splete Award for Outstanding Service
(Sponsored by Encoura)
Presented to Ann Die Hasselmo
Ann Die Hasselmo is president emerita of the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) in Washington, DC, and of Hendrix College (AR). Prior to becoming the founding president of AALI, she was the managing director of Academic Search Consultation Service (ASCS). Her earlier career in higher education administration spanned positions from faculty leadership to the presidency at both public and private colleges and universities, and she has held a variety of chair positions and presidencies of national higher education boards and associations. Her networks and experience give insights about candidates for senior executive positions and a comprehensive understanding of leadership qualifications and requirements. Her professional work in leadership development in higher education spans 30 years. She has led leadership workshops, programs, and seminars across the country for emerging leaders in both public and private higher education and chaired statewide and national initiatives to develop higher education leaders—particularly those who were traditionally underrepresented in American higher education.
History of the Allen P. Splete Award
The Allen P. Splete Award is presented to an individual, organization, or publication in recognition of significant contributions to independent higher education. Recipients have demonstrated national leadership, through ideas and commitment, on behalf of private colleges and universities.
With this award, CIC recognizes individuals and organizations that have contributed to greater understanding and appreciation of the role of independent colleges and universities or have been responsible for significant improvements in these institutions. Examples include research and writing about this sector or a particular segment of it and giving voice to the needs and attributes of independent institutions in public forums, as well as behind the scenes. The award is named after Allen P. Splete, president of CIC from 1986 to 2000.
PREVIOUS ALLEN P. SPLETE AWARD RECIPIENTS
2023: David L. Warren
2022: Judith Block McLaughlin
2021: Earl Lewis
2020: Peter T. Ewell
2019: Johnnetta Betsch Cole
2018: Ernesto Nieto
2017: Arthur Levine
2016: W. Robert Connor
2014: Sandy Baum and Michael McPherson
2013: Alexander Astin
2012: Gordon Winston
2011: Mary Patterson McPherson
2009: George D. Kuh
2008: Stephen Joel Trachtenberg
2007: Eugene M. Lang
2006: Ken Yamada
2005: Thomas A. Emmet
2004: Elizabeth J. McCormack and Jerry I. Aron
2003: USA Today
2002: Patricia Willis
2001: Richard Kimball