Ball and Richards named 2025 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award recipients

Carson-Newman University announced that Samantha Ball and Oluwafemi Richards are recipients of the 2025 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The recognition, announced during C-N’s Honors Convocation, is the highest honor the University presents to students.

Ball is a psychology and Christian studies double major with an emphasis in missions. A Morristown resident, she is described as having a heart for serving God and His people. This is seen both on and beyond campus. A first-generation student, Ball serves as president of Tri-Alpha Honor Society. In her role she has been passionate about ensuring that first generation students enrolled in Carson-Newman’s new Prison Ministry are also inducted into the honor society.

She serves as president of YOKE Youth Ministries on campus, as well as a YOKE Folk at Jefferson Middle School each week. Ball has taken part in multiple C-N missions trips including to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Washington D.C.; Denver, Colorado; and Cape Town, South Africa.

Her involvement also includes membership in Alpha Chi Honor Society, Psi Chi Honor Society, and the Theta Alpha Kappa Honor Society. Her time as a work study student, has allowed her to be a friendly, familiar face in the areas of the Library, Financial Aid Office, and Campus Ministries Office.

She attends Morningside Baptist Church where she serves as the director of Children’s Ministry.
“Samantha’s impressive academic achievements are coupled with a winsome spirit and grace that reaches out to all she meets,” said Dr. David Crutchley, dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies. “Her Christian faith, integrity, and compassion are reflected in her service to others over the past four years.”

Richards is a political science major from Hendersonville, Tennessee. His time at Carson-Newman has been a balance of academic discipline and athletic competitiveness. As a member of the Eagles’ track and field team, Richards is championed by Coach Kieran Showler-Davis for having grown from a raw athlete to one consistently among those vying for competition medals in the high jump. This year he was named to the USTFCCCA Southeast All-Region team.

When he’s not competing, Richards is involved within the campus community. He serves as a resident assistant, has been a member of C-N’s forensics team, a participant in this year’s Model United Nations team, and is a recipient of the Ministry and Missions Cord. Each activity has made him well-known on campus, but it is his attitude, humbleness and love for Christ that others have noted as qualities deserving of recognition.

“His leadership is rooted in a genuine desire to help others thrive, and his sportsmanship as a track athlete exemplifies selflessness and team spirit,” said Resident Life Director Baylee Rhoton. “Femi is incredibly humble and points every success to the Lord and shares this admiration of God with those around him.”

One of Richard’s professors, Dr. John McClellan, couldn’t agree more. “Femi stands out for the positive energy and intellectual curiosity he brings each day to his philosophy classes. It’s been a tremendous joy to teach him.” 

The New York Southern Society established the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 1890 to honor an Indiana native and Manhattan attorney who was considered a living example of genteel spirit and Christian compassion. The awards, which are donated by the foundation that bears his name, are granted at more than 70 colleges and universities to graduating seniors, one female and one male, who “excel in high ideals of living, in fine spiritual qualities, and in generous and unselfish service to others.”