Justice Clarence Thomas to Receive Benedict Leadership Award from Belmont Abbey College

Belmont, NC — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been named the fourth recipient of the Benedict Leadership Award. The award, given by the Benedict Leadership Institute at Belmont Abbey College, will be presented in a public ceremony at Belmont Abbey College on March 12, 2020.

The Institute selected Justice Thomas in recognition of his extraordinary career defending the Constitution and his enduring leadership as a man of faith.

After graduating cum laude from Holy Cross in 1971 with a B.A. in English Literature, Justice Thomas began pursuing his long and distinguished career as a public servant. He received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1974 from Yale Law School, and was appointed an Assistant Attorney General in Missouri that same year. In 1981 he was appointed Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education, and in 1982 President Ronald Reagan appointed him Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

On July 1, 1991, Justice Thomas was nominated by President George Bush to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. He is currently the longest serving Justice on the Supreme Court. He also released a book in 2007 entitled My Grandfather’s Son; A Memoir, which became an immediate bestseller.

Conor Gallagher, Executive Director of the Benedict Leadership Institute, made the following comment to Justice Thomas: “While your life displays numerous reasons for being worthy of the Benedict Leadership Award, the Committee wishes to honor and highlight your leadership in defense of our nation’s Constitution and your personal witness as a man of faith.”

Recipients of this award deliver a public address in their area of leadership, and are presented with a $10,000 cash award.

The Benedict Leadership Institute was founded in 2016 by Belmont Abbey College to develop and inspire Catholic leaders to transform society in light of their faith. The Benedict Leadership Award, conferred annually, is a key activity of the Institute, and aims to recognize outstanding men and women whose achievements reflect the heroic leadership of St. Benedict. 

Prior recipients include Mr. Michael P. Warsaw, Mr. Leonard Leo and Mr. Carl Anderson.

Belmont Abbey College, home of the Benedict Leadership Institute, is a private Catholic liberal arts college located near Charlotte, NC. Founded in 1876 by Benedictine monks, it is recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as one of America’s top Catholic colleges.