12 Esteemed Business and Philanthropic Leaders Selected for Prestigious 2015 Horatio Alger Award

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced the recipients of its prestigious 2015 Horatio Alger Award.  The annual award is bestowed upon accomplished leaders who have succeeded in the face of significant adversity, and who are committed to philanthropy and higher education. 

Horatio Alger Association will honor the following 12 individuals, all of whom have demonstrated a strong work ethic, honesty and determination on their road to personal and professional success, with lifetime membership into the organization:

• Charles C. Anderson Sr., chairman emeritus, Anderson Companies
• Leon G. Cooperman, founder, chairman and CEO, Omega Advisors, Inc.
• James F. Dicke, II, chairman-CEO, Crown Equipment Corporation
• Serge Godin, founder and executive chairman of the board, CGI
• Edmund A. Hajim, president, Diker Management, LLC
• Bruce T. Halle, founder and chairman of the board, Discount Tire
• Elizabeth Holmes, founder and CEO, Theranos
• Gilbert Edward LeVasseur Jr., chairman and CEO, LeVasseur Capital Partners, LLC
• James J. Maguire Sr., founder and chairman emeritus, Philadelphia Insurance Companies and president, Maguire Foundation
• David C. Novak, chairman and CEO, Yum! Brands, Inc.
• Frank L. VanderSloot, CEO, Melaleuca, Inc.
• Jordan Zimmerman, founder and chairman, Zimmerman Advertising              

"Horatio Alger Association was established nearly 70 years ago to dispel the mounting belief in the United States that the American Dream was no longer attainable," said David Sokol, chairman, Horatio Alger Association and 2004 Horatio Alger Award recipient.  "The 12 new Horatio Alger Members selected for the class of 2015 are living proof that the American Dream is stronger than ever.  I have no doubt that these charitable and committed individuals will serve as an inspiration to our promising young Scholars, and will continue to spread the mission and reach of our organization in all that they do."

Through its Members, Horatio Alger Association aims to educate young Americans about the limitless opportunities afforded to them by the free-enterprise system.  To further this goal, the organization awards scholarships to outstanding young men and women who are committed to pursuing higher education and giving back to their communities.  Like Association Members, Horatio Alger Scholars have faced significant adversities, but have displayed unmatched resilience in overcoming life's challenges.  Since the scholarship program was established in 1984, Horatio Alger Association has provided more than $100 million to students in need.  Scholarships are funded solely through the generosity of Association Members, Life Partners and friends. 

"From broken homes to poverty to abuse, our Scholars have overcome incredible hardships," said Tony Novelly, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association and 2000 Horatio Alger Award recipient.  "But, what is so special about our young men and women is that, despite facing such trying circumstances, their spirit and their willpower has never wavered.  Our Scholars reflect an incredible resilience and are more determined than ever to succeed.  I could not be more proud to be a Member of an organization that has given them the well-deserved and necessary help they needed to achieve their dreams through higher education."

The 2015 Horatio Alger Award recipients will be formally inducted into the Association on April 9-11, 2015, during the Association's 68^th Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C.  The annual three-day event not only honors the achievements of the Members, but also recognizes Horatio Alger National Scholars, affording both groups the opportunity to meet and interact, exchanging stories of hardships, triumphs and successes.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association and its Member Class of 2015, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., fulfills its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Horatio Alger Association supports students through annual undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships and mentoring programs across the United States and Canada. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $100 million in college scholarships to deserving young people.  For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

CONTACT:
Meg Kane
484-385-2938 (office)
[email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/12-esteemed-business-and-philanthropic-leaders-selected-for-prestigious-2015-horatio-alger-award-300004859.html

SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.horatioalger.org