Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, to Receive University Roundtable “Best and Brightest” Award

The San Antonio chapter of the University Roundtable, an organization founded to “explore creative, challenging and controversial issues,” has long shared ties with the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW). Dr. Amy Freeman Lee, who served as president of the UIW Board of Trustees from 1973–1990, played a key role in establishing the San Antonio chapter in 1980.

Today, the University Roundtable hosts several luncheons throughout the year, culminating in its annual awards event each December. This year, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, will be honored with the organization’s prestigious “Best and Brightest” award. With the exception of the pandemic years, the award is traditionally presented to one man and one woman who demonstrate exceptional personal achievement in their fields.

Sr. Martha Ann shared that the award carries special meaning because of its connection to Dr. Amy Freeman Lee. “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. I was delighted and touched because she had inspired me as an Incarnate Word College student when she often spoke on campus,” she recalled. “She had a profound reverence for life, joyful creativity, compassion, enthusiasm and generosity.”

As this year’s honoree, Sr. Martha Ann will address attendees on the themes of compassion, service and peacebuilding, highlighting UIW projects that embody these values. She will also share about organizations she actively supports, including Charter for Compassion and CompassionateUSA.

Sr. Martha Ann joins a notable group of Incarnate Word community members who have previously received the “Best and Brightest” award, 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,” she said. “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 Ann will invite guests to recite the Charter of Compassion with her, highlighting the unifying and transformative power of compassion for San Antonio and beyond.

Congratulations to Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, on this well-deserved honor!