CCVI Sister to Receive the University Roundtable “Best and Brightest” Award

The University Roundtable is an organization that seeks to "explore creative, challenging and controversial issues." The San Antonio chapter of this organization notably has ties to the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), as former 1973-1990 Incarnate Word Board of Trustees President Dr. Amy Freeman Lee aided in its establishment in 1980.

The group previously met monthly to host lunch and dinner discussions but now host luncheon events throughout the year, with their award event hosted during the month of December.

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, will be recognized at this year's award event as the recipient of the "Best and Brightest" award. With the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic years, the University Roundtable selections one man and one woman to receive the "Best and Brightest" award, given to individuals who have made personal achievement in their respective fields and specialties.

"When I was notified about the award, I was told that Dr. Amy Freeman Lee was a founder of the University Roundtable of San Antonio," recalled Sr. Martha. "I was delighted and touched because she had inspired me as an Incarnate Word College student when she often spoke on campus. She had a profound reverence for life, joyful creativity, compassion, enthusiasm and generosity. Dr. Lee is nationally respected as a person of wisdom, an artist, a poet and leader in the humane movement. She spoke when we began our M.A. in Peace and Justice in 1986 and I was the co-director."

As this year's distinguished winner, Sr. Martha will accept her award surrounded by her friends and colleagues, and will speak on the topics of compassion, service and peacebuilding, including how some of UIW's related projects tie into these themes. Additionally, she will share more about related organizations that she's involved in like Charter for Compassion and CompassionateUSA.

Sr. Martha is honored to accept this year's "Best and Brightest" award as many of her beloved Incarnate Word peers have also received this honor, including Sr. Margaret Patrice Slattery, CCVI, Mareen Halligan and Ronald Ibbs.

"Perhaps I was chosen because this is a time that people want to reflect on the value of compassion," said Sr. Martha. "The Incarnate Word Sisters are thought of as persons of compassion in the history of the city. My students and I inaugurated the Charter for Compassion in San Antonio in 2009."

During the ceremony, Sr. Martha will invite attendees to say the Charter of Compassion with her, demonstrating the power that compassion has to unify and create a positive impact in the city of San Antionio and the world.

Congratulations, Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI!