Centennial Institute Honors Woodson

Posted on October 07, 2024

Centennial Institute Honors Woodson

The Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University welcomed 275 distinguished guests to the CCU campus on Thursday, October 3, 2024, for the presentation of the Eighth Annual William L. Armstrong Award to Robert L. Woodson, founder and president of the Woodson Center in Washington, D.C.

The William L. Armstrong Award is presented annually in honor of the late businessman, United States senator (1979-1991), and Colorado Christian University president (2006-2016) William L. Armstrong. The award is given to a leader who embodies the values that Armstrong held dear - faith, family, and freedom - and who has made a difference in America's culture through business, politics or education. The prestigious award has been an annual highlight, the University's highest honor, presented each year since Armstrong's death in 2016.

"It was an honor to join with others to honor the legacy of Bill Armstrong and the visionary things he accomplished for our conservative values and for this university," said Eric K. Hogue, CCU President. "As part of that legacy, Colorado Christian University and the Centennial Institute are honored to present the William L. Armstrong Award to Bob Woodson - an inspiring leader who continues to work directly with communities to combat real-world issues."

"Bob Woodson was a hero to my father," said Wil Armstrong, son of the late senator and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Colorado Christian University. "He particularly appreciated Bob's effectiveness in calling attention to and examining the work of heroes who make a difference in our cities. In a time of racial divisions and tensions, Bob has set a higher standard and become a role model to generations."

Woodson maintained a lifelong friendship with Armstrong, later serving on the Board of Trustees of Colorado Christian University. The University awarded him an honorary doctorate of humanities in 2010.

"This award is a great honor, partly because Colorado Christian University has a special place in my heart, and also because Senator Armstrong was such a good friend to me, and to the Woodson Center," said Woodson. "We spent many years working together to help people lift themselves out of poverty, to minimize the focus on race and maximize the focus on opportunity and freedom. To see that work honored in this way means a great deal to me."

To learn more about the William L. Armstrong Award and past recipients, please visit: https://www.thearmstrongproject.org/award/.