This story was originally published in UKNow. Photo by Logan Justice.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 4, 2026) — Two University of Kentucky students, including UK College of Social Work’s (CoSW) Ben Ison, and a faculty emeritus have received UK’s highest honor for humanitarian efforts — the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.
Established by the New York Southern Society in 1925 and named for its first president, Algernon Sydney Sullivan, the award recognizes those “who exhibit Sullivan’s ideals of heart, mind and conduct as evince a spirit of love for and helpfulness to other men and women.” After the society closed, the award has lived on through the Sullivan Foundation and is given at several universities in the South.
At UK, the Sullivan Award is bestowed each year on two graduating seniors and one citizen who has a connection to the university. This year’s Sullivan award student winners are Morgan David and Ben Ison. Sam Powdrill is the citizen award recipient.
Ison, of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, earned dual bachelor’s degrees in social work and criminal justice in May, along with a minor in criminology.
Throughout his time at UK, Ison has distinguished himself through exceptional academic achievement and a deep commitment to service. A 4.0 student and consistent Dean’s List honoree, he has paired his classroom success with meaningful research, leadership and hands-on experiences that reflect his passion for justice and advocacy.
Ison has been actively involved in undergraduate research through the College of Social Work, where he serves as a research assistant focusing on juvenile justice. In this role, he has conducted literature reviews, supported data collection and analysis, and contributed to research examining systems that impact youth and communities. His academic interests extend into practice — as demonstrated by his service on the University Appeals Board, where he helped review academic and disciplinary cases and contributed to fair, policy-aligned decisions.
Committed to applying his knowledge in real-world settings, Ison completed a social work internship with the Exit Crisis Unit at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church. There, he provided crisis intervention services, helped connect individuals to critical resources and coordinated community outreach efforts — including a clothing drive paired with Narcan training to support harm reduction.
On campus, Ison is a dedicated leader and advocate for student well-being. As a student ambassador for the College of Social Work, he supports prospective and current students through outreach events, information sessions and community-building initiatives. He has also held leadership roles within Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, serving as internal vice president and previously as mental health chairman, where he worked to promote awareness and access to mental health resources, including implementing suicide prevention programming.
Ison’s commitment to service extends beyond leadership roles. He regularly volunteers in the community, including participating in weekly meal programs, and has earned certifications in areas such as QPR suicide prevention and responsible conduct of research.
“Through his academic excellence, leadership and compassion for others, Ison exemplifies the spirit of a servant leader — using his education and experiences to create meaningful change in the lives of those around him,” Shelita Jackson, D.S.W., director of undergraduate studies in the College of Social Work, said. He has integrity, conviction, is reliable and has a heart for justice.”
Reflecting on his philosophy of service, Ison said, “Across all of my experiences at UK, I’ve learned that service is ultimately about responsibility — using what you’ve been given to support others in ways that are thoughtful, consistent and grounded in respect. It is less about recognition and more about being present, being willing to learn and being committed to contributing to something larger than yourself.”
Ison plans to continue his work at the intersection of social work and criminal justice, with a focus on advancing equitable systems and supporting vulnerable populations.