2024 Cougar Servant Leadership Awards

The Cougar Servant Leadership Awards are presented to leaders with tremendous dedication, exceptional service, and outstanding leadership that have helped transform Chicago and Illinois. The categories recognized are Education Equity, Public Service, and Alumni Achievement.

The following awardees were honored at the annual 1stGEN Scholarship Gala: Accelerate, presented by United, which took place on Friday, September 27, 2024. See photos from the evening's event here.

Danny Davis Cougar Servant Leadership Award

Congratulations to our Cougar Servant Leadership Awardee in Alumni Achievement, Congressman Danny K. Davis, Illinois' 7^th District

Congressman Davis is an alumnus of Chicago State University and a trailblazer who throughout his public service career has always put the people's interest first. He has been a City Councilman, Democratic Committeeman, U.S. Representative, 7th District, Illinois, Democratic State Central Committeeman, 7th District and Member Democratic National Committee. Before becoming an elected official, Congressman Danny K. Davis had productive careers as an educator, health planner, administrator, community organizer, civil rights advocate, and activist. He has received hundreds of awards for his outstanding work in health, education, human relations, politics, and advocacy, including eight honorary doctorate degrees from prestigious colleges and universities.

He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and has spent time in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and in South and Central America. Currently, Representative Davis is serving his fourteenth term in the U.S. House of Representatives where he sits on the influential Ways and Means Committee, is the 7th Democrat in Seniority and is Ranking Member on the Sub-Committee on Worker and Family Support. He has been the principal author and lead sponsor of several bills such as the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, The Second Chance Act, The Jackie Walorski Memorial Act and the Sickle Cell Education and Treatment Act.

Valerie Jarrett Cougar Servant Leadership Award

Congratulations to our Cougar Servant Leadership Awardee in Public Service, Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation

Chicago State University and the Chicago State Foundation are pleased to celebrate the abundance of deep knowledge that Jarrett brings to her leadership roles across the City of Chicago. Being the longest serving senior advisor to a president in history, Jarrett formerly oversaw the Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and Chaired the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Currently, Jarrett is the Chief Executive Officer and a Board Member of The Barack Obama Foundation. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward as well as a recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees, including TIME's "100 Most Influential People" Award. Jarrett is a true Public Servant Leader.

John Atkin Cougar Servant Leadership Award

Congratulations to our Cougar Servant Leadership Awardee in Education Equity, John Atkinson, Managing Director & Chairman of Marsh Chicago

As a recognized business leader in the insurance and human capital space, Atkinson has focused on building companies and teams to help organizations navigate complex business problems related to risk, people, and strategy. In his current role, Atkinson oversees one of Marsh's fastest-growing businesses in North America and serves as the Chairman of Marsh's Chicago office. He leads civic and community engagement for the firm and contributes to the growth of Marsh's business in the Midwest. Atkinson was recently tapped by Governor Pritzker to help lead economic development for the State of Illinois as Chairman of Intersect Illinois, the go-to resource for attracting and retaining business in Illinois. Until then, he served under Governor Pritzker as the Chairman of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), where he led the development of the state’s first Equity focused strategic plan for Illinois Higher Education, and Chairman of the State Universities Retirement System (SURS).

Atkinson also serves as co-chair of The Equity Working Group convened by Chicago State University alongside President "Z" Scott, State Senator Elgie Sims, and Karen Freeman-Wilson which is committed to recommending reforms that will improve Black student access to higher education. The Equity Working Group will generate solutions to achieve systemic and institutional change across education systems, community organizations, philanthropy, the private sector, and the State hoping to address systemic racism that shows up in policies, as well as knock down barriers that have prevented our system from serving students and families equitably. Atkinson has been exemplary in his passion and work in education equity, creating and nurturing diverse platforms and opportunities for students in Chicago to have access to equitable education.