Dr. Summerville Institute

Honoring Service Through the Summerville Institute
We are excited to share a powerful new chapter in the life of Tall One Champion Award what began humbly in Wilson, North Carolina, as a grassroots effort to honor local heroes in education, music, and community service has grown into a national movement of recognition and transformation.
For years, the Tall One Champion Award celebrated adults who quietly but powerfully shaped their communities through selfless service. These educators, musicians, and community leaders never sought the spotlight—but their work planted the seeds of something greater.
Today, that movement has evolved into the Summerville Institute for Excellence and Service, a national initiative with a broader mission but the same foundation: compassion, leadership, service, and legacy.
 Our Pillars of Recognition
The Summerville Institute now honors individuals through three powerful categories:
    •    Tall One Champion Award
Recognizing students who have completed over 100 hours of volunteer service and are inspiring others to give back.
    •    President’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Celebrating those who have dedicated more than 4,000 hours of service through the Presidential Volunteer Service framework.
    •    Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism
Awarded through our partnership with GIA Global International Alliance, this honor is reserved for individuals whose life’s work has made a global humanitarian impact.
A Word from Our Founder
“We’re not just handing out honors—we’re passing on legacy.
We are empowering generations to lead with love, serve with dignity,
and rise with excellence.”
— Dr. Mildred Summerville
📍 Proudly Based in Wilson, NC — Reaching Nationwide
Though we now serve a broader audience, we remain deeply rooted in Wilson, North Carolina—committed to shining a light on those who serve, lead, and uplift communities everywhere.
Join the Mission
We invite you to:
    •    Nominate someone who embodies service and excellence
    •    Partner with us as we expand our reach
    •    Help us recognize and celebrate changemakers across the country