Distinguished Alumnus Award
Honors excellence in vocation.

2001 Recipient
Amy Sherman '87

Amy L. Sherman's academic pursuits have taken her from the corridors of Washington, D.C., to the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia. She brings this breadth of experience to her position as senior fellow at the Welfare Policy in Communities project. This project equips urban community leaders for effective ministry by providing tools such as training manuals and phone consultation. Faith in Communities also sponsors research exploring ministerial practices that will prove effective in urban faith organizations.

Sherman is the author of four books and several articles concerning reinvestment in urban and impoverished segments of American and Latin American societies. Sherman's commitment to which she founded with the mission of restoring faith to the urban community of Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries, which she founded with the mission of restoring faith to the urban community of Charlottesville. Abundant Life runs a variety of programs for urban youth and adults.

Sherman received her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in 1994. She holds a master's degree from the same institution and a bachelor of arts in political science from Messiah College. She has served as an advisor to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and is credited with te first major study evaluating the Charitable Choice provisions of welfare reform law of 1996.