Ruth Altshuler (SMU)

Renowned civic and nationally recognized philanthropic leader Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler was honored as the 2011 recipient of the J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award Thursday.

The presentation included tributes by Former First Lady Laura Bush, SMU President R. Gerald Turner and Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation.

Altshuler is the first person in the United States to receive all three national service honors – the Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year Award from the National Society of Fundraising Executives; the national Alexis de Tocqueville Award of the United Way of America; and the Distinguished Service Award given by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges.

Globally she was honored with the Order of Distinguished Auxiliary Service from the Salvation Army- International in London. 

Altshuler has also been honored with SMU’s Distinguished Alumni Award. She is one of SMU’s longest-serving trustees, a former chair and a current member of the board of trustees.

She is a co-chair of the Second Century Campaign Leadership Council and previously served as a co-chair of the campaign for SMU.She also is co-chair of the Second Century Celebration Organizing Committee.

The Jonsson Ethics Award is presented annually by SMU’s Cary Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility to individuals who exemplify the spirit of moral leadership and public virtue.