Contact: Dan Adkins

“I am impressed by the commitment exhibited by these three for improving the lives of others. They truly fulfill the criteria for the Sullivan Medallion, which is to demonstrate a spirit of love for helpfulness to other men and women through their heart, mind and conduct.”

-- Lee T. Todd Jr.,
president,
University of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 23, 2004) -- An Alzheimer’s disease patient advocate, an organ-donor activist, and a volunteer in Lexington arts and food drives have been chosen as the recipients of the 2004 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallions to be presented Saturday, May 8, at the University of Kentucky’s 137th Commencement at Rupp Arena.

The recipients are Virginia Marsh Bell, the non-student winner; Amelia C. Brown, the graduating female student winner; and Albert Kalim, the graduating male student winner.

“I am impressed by the commitment exhibited by these three for improving the lives of others. They truly fulfill the criteria for the Sullivan Medallion, which is to demonstrate a spirit of love for helpfulness to other men and women through their heart, mind and conduct,” said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr.

Bell, 81, who earned her master’s degree in social work at UK in 1982 – 38 years after receiving her bachelor’s degree from Transylvania University – has been active for more than 20 years in assisting Alzheimer’s disease patients. She currently serves as program consultant for the Greater Kentucky/Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She has been a family counselor for families coping with the disease; director of the Helping Hand Program, a day and in-home program for persons diagnosed with non-treatable dementia illnesses that provides respite to caregivers; developer and implementer of educational programs for students and professionals in the field of aging, volunteer and community groups; and a consultant for organizing Alzheimer’s support groups for family members and care programs for Alzheimer’s patients. Bell also was recently inducted into the UK College of Social Work Hall of Fame.

Brown, who received her bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences in December 2003, spent the spring coordinating UK’s third Gift of Life Challenge, which pits UK and the University of Louisville in a competition to encourage organ donation signups. She also has been an active volunteer for Stop the Violence, which encourages school children to prevent school violence; Relay for Life, raising money for cancer research; Jarrett’s Joy Cart, which collects toys for pediatric cancer patients; and the Ronald McDonald House, among other programs.

Kalim, who also received his bachelor’s degree in computer science in December 2003, has served as an adviser in Student Activities Program Management at UK. He repeatedly volunteered for various activities, including being a coordinator for new students during Welcome Week at UK and for special events for the Student Volunteer Center. He has been a volunteer math and reading tutor for the Carnegie Center for Literacy and the Arts, and has been an international classroom volunteer for the School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Lexington. He also organized the International Student Council’s food and clothing drive during the 2003 ice storm and has worked actively with Reforest the Bluegrass.