Annual Inspiration

Recognizing 20 Years

By Laura J. Veach

Since 2006, the annual award now known as the Austin College Posey Leadership Award has honored an outstanding individual who has demonstrated the principles of servant leadership by:

• taking a courageous stand on a public policy issue that advances a humanitarian or educational purpose; or
• serving the youth of a state, nation, or international community to improve the quality of health, education, or community services; or
• creating opportunities for young people that help them enhance their educational experience and move to a new level of service to society.

The vision to recognize these leaders is rooted in the Posey Leadership Institute at Austin College, created in 1995. In 2003, the Institute was named in honor of Lee and Sally Posey of Dallas, Texas, in gratitude for their generous endowment gift and contributions of time, talents, and resources in mentoring and supporting countless young people. The couple later endowed the Austin College Leadership Award, as well, and when Lee Posey died in 2008, the Posey name was added to the award in memory of his legacy of leadership.

In 2021, the Posey Leadership Award was reenvisioned and relaunched as the Austin College Posey Leader-In-Residence Series to enable deeper student engagement with the award recipient. In addition to a keynote address and award presentation in the spring, the Posey Leader-In-Residence meets virtually with students and faculty throughout the academic year to explore multiple topics and build connections.

The inaugural Austin College Posey Leadership Award was presented to Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach For America, in 2006. Twenty years later, the list of luminaries who have received the Award and the $100,000 prize it carries is a who’s who of impressive names and important causes. While they represent many different fields, the recipients have in common that they are global citizens who have applied their leadership talents to make a positive impact on society. Interacting with these inspiring individuals can influence Austin College students to strive to do the same.