Earlier this month, I was touched to receive the appreciation of my alma mater, DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, for my work in servant-leadership, when I accepted their 2008 Community Leader Award. The certificate that I received, states:
DePauw University’s success is measured by the leaders it prepares, who make a difference in the communities where we live and work.
The University is proud to present the Community Leader Award to Larry C. Spears for outstanding community leadership, which has made a difference in so many lives. Awarded this 14th day of June 2008 in Greencastle, Indiana.
In accepting the 2008 Community Leader Award, I said, in part:
Servant-leadership challenges leaders to serve others. Even more radical: Servant-leadership challenges those, whom Robert Greenleaf called ‘natural servants,’ to look for opportunities to provide leadership in their organizations, communities, and elsewhere.
Leaders-as-servants, and especially servants-as-leaders, are gradually improving the quality of commitment and caring toward one another throughout many communities. Nowhere is the saying, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” more true than in servant-leadership.
I appreciate this thoughtful expression of support by DePauw University, and I accept it in recognition of servant-leaders everywhere.
I am grateful for the honor, and even more, for the encouragement that it represents.
Warm regards,
Larry
Larry C. Spears
President & CEO
The Spears Center for Servant-Leadership
