King University is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.

First presented in 1890 and awarded annually by more than 70 colleges and universities throughout the South, the award honors graduating students and community members for their high standards of character, integrity, and service, and for their commitment to creating positive change in their communities.

This year’s award recipients are community representative Rose Marie Burriss and 2025 graduate Jessica Campbell. Both were recognized during today’s commencement ceremony.

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan award seeks to recognize those who manifest “a continuous expression of those high qualities which ennoble and beautify living, binding people together in mutual love and helpfulness.” According to Martin Dotterweich, Ph.D., director of the King Institute for Faith & Culture, this description is exemplified by Rose Marie Burriss, a longtime Bristol resident who has for decades consistently placed service over self.

In nominating Burriss, her peers noted that she consistently exhibits a generous heart in all she does. Holding a master’s degree in Counseling from East Tennessee State University and in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, she has served as a guidance counselor in the Sullivan County School system and a previous leader of King’s Career Services office. In doing so, she supported thousands of students in our region as they worked to find their way forward in the professional world.

Along with her beloved late husband Bill, she has poured time and talent into numerous regional organizations, including the Appalachian Literacy Initiative, Blue Stocking Club, Family Promise, Friends of the Bristol Public Library, Girls Inc., Haven of Rest, Junior League, Rivers Way, the Salvation Army, Second Harvest Food Bank, Tech Girls, the YMCA, and the YWCA.

She has also served as a counselor, caregiver, and leader at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, and her benevolence has extended on to numerous charitable causes including Catholic Relief Services, Capuchin Franciscan Friars, Covenant House, Food for the Poor, Maryknoll, St Jude’s Hospital, and others. Additionally, she is a well-known patron of the arts, having supported for many years groups such as the King Institute for Faith & Culture, Symphony of the Mountains and Voices of the Mountains, Barter Theatre and Barter Players, Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol Ballet, Hill and Dale Garden Club, the Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy, PBS, the Paramount Theatre, Rhythm & Roots Reunion, and the William King Museum of Art.

“Every day, Rose Marie demonstrates the kind of character we want to have,” said Dotterweich. “She is deeply grounded in the Christian faith and shows kindness, curiosity, and wonder in all her endeavors. We’re very fortunate to have her as a member of the King community, as a Bristol resident, and honored to applaud her through this award.”

Jessica Campbell ’25, from Graysville, Tennessee, graduated this spring with a double major in Biology and Chemistry. According to her peers and professors, she embodies “the fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living,” and the “nobility of character…demonstrated in a commitment to placing service to others before themselves,” for which the Sullivan Award is known.

Since coming to King in 2022, Campbell has taken on several positions of leadership and service. She has served as a Chemistry tutor and teaching assistant, a teaching assistant for King’s Understanding Christianity class, and as a student worker, participant and volunteer in Chapel, playing active roles in services and worship. Additionally, she has been an active member of King’s chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as president for the last two years.

Campbell is recognized by those who nominated her as “an exceptional human being who is always motivated to do the right thing.” She is described as wise beyond her years, loyal, trustworthy, responsible, a person of deep integrity, faithful and compassionate, and as someone who leads the way for the Christian community at King.

“She is what we want students to be at this university,” said Head Coach Kyleigh Payne, who worked with Campbell on the Tornado softball team.

For more information regarding the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, visit here.