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Sanford graduate student Eni Owoeye (MPP) and undergraduate student Velda Wang (PPS '25) are recipients of the 2025 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. This prestigious Duke honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate remarkable selflessness, service to others, and generosity of character.
Owoeye and Wang were honored alongside one other Duke community member last week for their outstanding commitment to creating stronger access to community services and embodying the spirit of civic engagement.
Vicki Bogan, Professor of Public Policy and Director of Graduate Studies, congratulated Owoeye, “We are incredibly proud of Eni for receiving the Sullivan award! It perfectly recognizes her deep selflessness, dedicated service, and generous character. We see these qualities shine through her leadership in Sanford for groups like Policy in Living Color and the Africa Policy Group, her coordination of the Black Policy Conference, and her wonderful community-building work with HOPE North Carolina. Eni truly inspires us. Heartfelt congratulations on this richly deserved honor!”
Nathan Boucher, Associate Research Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Sanford, shared his appreciation for Wang's work, "In addressing menstrual inequity, Ms. Wang showed that meaningful change begins with noticing what others overlook, then channeling passion into practical solutions that ripple far beyond campus boundaries."
About the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is presented annually by Duke University to recognize and honor individuals whose lives and actions demonstrate the highest qualities of selflessness, service to others, and generosity of character. The award highlights those who have made significant contributions to their communities and improved access to essential services, reflecting the values Duke seeks to instill in its students and recognize within its community members.
Meet Sanford's Honorees:
(The following descriptions are excerpted from the official Duke University announcement)
Eni Owoeye, Sanford School of Public Policy
A second-year master’s of public policy student, Owoeye has had a busy year. For her studies of international environmental policy and student leadership on campus, Owoeye received the Samuel DuBois Cook Award for distinguished service.
Now her work in the community, with HOPE North Carolina and other groups, and campus leadership as a mentor to other students, Owoeye is being honored with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.
“What sets Eni apart is not just her accomplishments but the humility and care with which she approaches every act of service,” said Dr. Afnan Siddig, a master’s student in global health. “Whether serving as a TA for an environmental negotiations class or participating in the Center for Reconciliation’s spiritual formation cohort, Eni creates opportunities and ensures others feel empowered to step into them.”
Owoeye’s service and mentorship pops up across campus, whether with the Divinity School’s Center for Reconciliation, supporting experiential learning opportunities with the Prison Engagement Initiative or as a member of the Duke Climate Commitment Advisory Council. Within her own Sanford School, she has served as president of Sanford School’s Policy in Living Color; co-president of the school’s Africa Policy Group; and executive board member of the Black Policy Conference.
Beyond the campus, she has made a mark in Durham with her volunteer leadership in HOPE North Carolina, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding inclusive housing options, particularly for adults with intellectual and development disabilities. Emma Herold, volunteer coordinator for HOPE, said Owoeye has shown “a commitment to bridging relationships between Duke and Durham that underscores her belief that a stronger community is built through meaningful partnerships.”
Receiving the Sullivan award, Owoeye noted the many people who encouraged her in these efforts. “There are so many people who walked beside me,” she said. “I appreciate being able to do this work not just with my friends but also to meet strangers who have become friends. For me, what’s important is to cultivate a beloved community in a place that has been my home for the last two years.”
Velda Wang, public policy and neuroscience major
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Velda Wang came to Duke with a strong interest in issues of health access, but she was surprised by one challenge she found at a well-resourced university like Duke: Why were some students struggling to access something as basic as menstrual products?
Her response and organizing skills left one of her nominators for the Sullivan award believing that Wang will be a force for change for years to come. “I am excited to see all that she accomplishes in her work, as I expect her to become a key contributor in any community she joins,” said Hannah Taylor of the Thompson Writing Program, the faculty adviser for the student group Progress Period Organization.
“It is rare that I run into students who are as passionate and engaged as Velda,” Taylor added. “Not only is she able to turn that passion into change, but she inspires the desire for change in others.”
Affiliated with the national group, PERIOD., the Progress Period group at Duke raised awareness about access to menstrual products on campus and in the local community, and benefited the lives of students and community members. Many low-income women have to choose between buying food or menstrual products, Wang said.
On campus, Wang pressed for menstrual products to become available in residence halls and piloted a product distribution program in the dorms. She also worked with administrators and academic leadership to raise awareness of student needs related to menstrual products and won their support for increasing access.
In the community, Wang helped organized North Carolina’s first menstrual equity rally. In observance of Menstrual Hygiene Day, she connected students, activists and state legislators to show up and support the NC Diaper Bank. She also led a social media campaign that reached more than 98,000 people.
Wang said the response she receives from students and people in the community inspires her to do more. In receiving the Sullivan Award, she cited one comment from a student thanking Progress Period for ensuring that she would have access to menstrual products: “This is one less thing I have to struggle with; one less thing I have to worry about.”
“None of this would have been possible without the brilliant, passionate members of Progress Period. I’m deeply grateful to be part of such a dedicated team--and for Dr. Taylor’s constant support and mentorship,” Wang said.