The Sixteenth Annual NAICU Award for Advocacy of Independent Higher Education

The Honorable John W. Warner, Former Member, U.S. Senate

A statesman and a visionary, John Warner retired from the U.S. Senate this January after a remarkable career of service to our nation.  While best known for his experience in and understanding of the military, it was his willingness to always put his country first that stands as the true hallmark of his life.  A staunch and committed Republican, he still has broken with his party on issues of the environment, defense, national security, state taxes, and party elections when he saw it in the national or state interest to do so.  In classic Warner style, he supported a Democratic governor’s proposed state tax increase by saying, “Politics be damned!  Let’s consider what’s best for the men and women of this great state and their families and children.”

This spirit of independence and common sense has endeared John Warner to both new and old Virginians, Republican and Democrat.  Over the years, challengers from both parties were unable to unseat him because he always had the people behind him.  He retires with the proud record of being the second-longest serving senator in Virginia history.   

Warner enlisted in the Navy at 17, and later went to both Washington & Lee University and the University of Virginia Law School on the GI bill.  He has often said that he might never have gone to college without that assistance – especially given the death of his father three months after he was discharged from the Navy.  He has also said, “I would not be a U.S. senator . . . had it not been for the GI Bill.”

Of particular importance to Warner, has been the choice of college his GI bill provided.  As an undergraduate he chose a private university, and as a graduate, a public law school.  Last year Warner authored a special provision to Sen. Jim Webb’s new GI Bill to ensure that today’s veterans have the same higher education choices he had after his service in both World War II and the Korean War.  Under the new Yellow Ribbon program, private colleges receive a dollar match for every scholarship dollar they provide veterans above the new GI Bill’s basic allowance.  

The program is an innovative and groundbreaking way to challenge our nation’s private colleges to open their doors to today’s veterans – and does it with principles and provisions that recognize their independence and special missions.  First and foremost, the Yellow Ribbon program is voluntary, based on incentives.  Second, it carries no mandates in areas more properly the domain of colleges – such as academic standards, operations, or admissions criteria.  Finally, it recognizes the inherent price structure of private colleges, operating with little if any state support.  

It is this visionary approach to a legislated program that we particularly salute with this award:  a model that recognizes the value and importance of our independence, as well as the essential public purpose we serve.  The Yellow Ribbon program stands as a hopeful model for future partnerships with the federal government, and we deeply appreciate the respect for private higher education that is inherent in the program’s design.

For his service, for his "common sense conservatism," and for his understanding and support of our nation’s private colleges and universities, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities has named Senator John W. Warner, as the recipient of the 16th Annual NAICU Award for Advocacy of Independent Higher Education.

The NAICU Advocacy Award was established to recognize individuals outside of academe who have championed the cause of independent higher education.  Whether in government, business, or philanthropy, the winner of this award has provided leadership, established resources, or enacted policy at the state or national level that recognized the role of independent colleges and universities in serving public purposes.  No single contribution makes one eligible to receive the award.  Instead, it recognizes a lifetime of service, initiative, and determination.

Previous Award Winners – NAICU Award for Advocacy of Independent Higher Education

1993    The Honorable Terry Sanford, U.S. Senate

1994    The Honorable Tom Harkin, U.S. Senate

1995    The Honorable Robert Stafford, U.S. Senate

1996    (Special Summit Meeting – no award was given)

1997    The Honorable Richard Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education

1998    The Honorable William Roth, U.S. Senate

1999    The Honorable Claiborne Pell, U.S. Senate

2000    The Honorable Arlen Specter, U.S. Senate

2001    The Honorable David R. Obey, U.S. House of Representatives

2002    The Honorable Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, U. S. House of Representatives

2003    The Honorable Dale E.  Kildee, U.S. House of Representatives

2004    The Honorable Chuck Grassley, U.S. Senate

2005    The Honorable Thomas H.  Kean, President, Drew University; Chair, The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States; and Former Governor of New Jersey

2006    The Honorable Philip S. English, U.S. House of Representatives

2007    Loren Pope, College Placement Counselor and Author, Colleges That Change Lives

2008    The Honorable Ralph Regula, U. S. House of Representatives