Why Our “Sandy Award” Means So Much To Me

Sandy McDonnell, one of the co-founders of Character.org, was my mentor and friend. Every day, I try to channel his “can-do” spirit.

I am writing to invite you to nominate an individual to receive our 2024 “Sandy Award.” Character.org established the award in 2008 to recognize Sandy’s steadfast dedication to character development and education. To learn more about the award, check out the link below.

Sandy wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal years ago about the importance of character. His opening paragraph still captivates me:

Throughout most of our history, certain core ethical values were considered fundamental to the character of the nation and to the character of the people who made up the nation. These values were passed from generation to generation in the home, the school, and the church. 

While Sandy was well known for implementing a company-wide ethics program during his tenure as CEO of McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, he fervently believed that schools have the greatest potential for overcoming what he believed was a “national crisis of character.”

Please don’t think Sandy was a “Debbie Downer” because he used the word “crisis.” Just the opposite. He was an optimist. It was one of his superpowers. In fact, Sandy’s favorite aphorism was “Conceive it. Believe it. Achieve it!”

That’s why the Sandy Award is so important to Character.org. It’s a joy for our board and staff to recognize a person who exemplifies Sandy’s “can do” spirit each year. Someone who has, like Sandy, dedicated his or her life to helping schools cultivate an inspiring culture of character. A true champion for character. 

To learn more about the Sandy Award, or to nominate someone, please click here.