Chancellor Dan Jones, Deterrian Shackelford and Darryail Whittington pose for a photo during the Celebration of Service at the Ole Miss Inn, Tuesday, April 14, 2015. (DM Photo | Cady Herring)
Three recipients were presented with the 2015 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award on Tuesday in the Gertrude C. Ford Ballroom at The Inn at Ole Miss. The recipients, Chancellor Dan Jones, Ole Miss linebacker Deterrian Shackleford and alumnus Darryail Whittington were awarded this honor for outstanding service to others.
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was created in 1890 to honor individuals who display “nobility of character.” The award is considered the highest honor at the University of Mississippi for recognition of leaders in service among students, faculty and community members. Over 70 colleges and universities across the South participate in the distribution of the Sullivan Award.
“An award like this means so much more to me than what I’ve been able to accomplish from an athletic perspective,” Shackelford said.
Shackelford said, as a firm believer in Jesus Christ, he is working to serve others just as his spiritual father did. He said, although Jesus is a revered figure, he still served others in very humbling ways.
“It was a blessing to be able to share the stage with Dan Jones today,” Shackelford said.
Jones defined ‘nobility of character’ as something that comes from a spiritual life, and although we may learn character through many people, it transpires from the spiritual side of our lives.
“I believe that selflessness is the key to service,” Jones said.
Jones said the Sullivan Award is special in that it recognizes the service of certain individuals and encourages others to do the same.
Oxford resident Darryail Whittington received the Sullivan Award due to his tremendous contribution of service hours. Whittington was nominated by his son, Ryan Whittington.
“My dad is the busiest retired man that I know,” said Ryan.
Whittington has lived in Oxford with his wife for 40 years and is highly involved in Habitat for Humanity and anti-drunk driving organizations, among many others. He spends most of his retired days building affordable homes in Oxford for students and working individuals.
“This award recognizes not just what I do, but what we are trying to do as a community,” Whittington said.
Assistant Professor of Higher Education Dr. Phillis George, the keynote speaker for the event, spoke about servant leadership and the importance of selflessness.
“I’ve realized that, if you really want to transform a community, it starts with you,” George said.
George said he believed in order to be truly selfless, one must have the power and courage to look beyond personal costs and gains and to fight for what they believe.
“I learned a long time ago that human nature is truly a force to be reckoned with,” George said.
