Nominations sought for MLK Student Servant-Leadership Award
Martin Luther King Jr. – clergyman, activist, civil-rights giant – once said, “He who is the greatest among us shall be our servant.” It is a lesson that has its rewards at Arizona State University, as the call goes out for nominations for the 10th annual 2010 ASU MLK Student Servant-Leadership Award.
Deadline for submission of student nominations is October 7. The ASU MLK Committee will present the award at the MLK breakfast event in January.
“The ASU Martin Luther King Student Servant-Leadership Award has become one of the most highly prized awards because it highlights and underscores the deep commitment and action being taken by our national, community and collegiate leaders to build better communities through the vision and legacy of Dr. King,” says Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, MLK committee chair and executive director of ASU Gammage. “This award recognizes those who have quietly toiled to make Arizona a better place for everyone.”
The ASU community is invited to nominate candidates who are full-time students at the university and exemplify the ideals of servant-leadership through a history of volunteer service. Self nominations are encouraged. Those seeking to nominate a student must contact an MLK committee member prior to submitting a nomination so the committee member can review the nomination form, make sure it is properly completed and can speak on behalf of the nominee.
“Servant-leadership is a practical philosophy which supports people who choose to serve first, and then lead as a way of expanding service to individuals and institutions,” says Jennings-Roggensack. “Servant-leadership encourages collaboration, trust, foresight, listening, and the ethical use of power and empowerment.”
Other additional qualities she says embodies a servant-leader are acceptance of others, a willingness to change, the ability to conceptualize and communicate concepts, and the ability to build a sense of community in the workplace.
To receive a copy of the nomination form, call Michelle Johnson at ASU Gammage, (480) 965-3916, or e-mail to mmjcap@asu.edu. To read about the 2009 winners of the Servant-Leadership Award, visit http://asu.edu/mlk/servant_leader.html.