February 1, 2017

The award recognizes a distinguished graduate of the College, faculty or staff member, or an individual from the larger Bennington College community, whose innovative and inspirational leadership is advancing civic and cultural life and improving the lives of others. 

The selected individual will be an engaged citizen who has successfully demonstrated the willingness to step forward and take risks in order to solve problems and achieve results in the areas of education, government, the arts and sciences, or industry. 

The past recipients are Shelia Lewandowski '97 (2016), Victoria Sammartino '99 (2015), and Holly Block '80 (2014).