Grand Canyon University honored four devoted leaders who embody the ideal for which Jerry Colangelo is best known – servant leadership – during the fifth annual Colangelo Servant Leadership Awards on Tuesday morning.

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The Colangelo Servant Leadership Awards, presented by Freeport-McMoRan, are named after one of Arizona’s most notable business and sports icons who is also the namesake of GCU’s Colangelo College of Business (CCOB). The award ceremony was held at GCU and honored the following recipients:

  • Doug Ducey, former Governor of Arizona: Doug Ducey served as the Governor of Arizona from 2015 to 2023, focusing on economic growth, education reform and border security. Prior to his tenure as governor, Ducey was CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, leading the company to significant expansion before its acquisition. As governor, he implemented policies to bolster Arizona’s economy, resulting in strong job growth and increased state revenues. Ducey also prioritized education funding and led bipartisan initiatives to enhance public safety. He now plays a role in advising business and governmental organizations on leadership and policy.
  • Dr. Richard Gray, CEO of Mayo Clinic: Dr. Richard J. Gray is a renowned surgical oncologist and professor of surgery at the Arizona campus of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he has been on the faculty since 2001. He is the CEO of Mayo Clinic and the co-director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Breast Health in Arizona, as well as co-chair of the Breast Disease Group for Mayo Clinic system-wide. As a prolific researcher, Dr. Gray has authored over 110 peer-reviewed publications and has received numerous accolades, including the 2013 Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator award. He is deeply committed to educating physicians, patients and the broader community, ensuring comprehensive understanding of cancer care and treatment. His patient-centered approach emphasizes precision medicine, tailoring treatments to the unique characteristics of both the tumor and the individual. His leadership at Mayo Clinic reflects his dedication to advancing healthcare innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Dr. Chevy Humphrey, President and CEO of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: Dr. Chevy Humphrey is President and CEO of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, a position she has held since January 2021. Under her leadership, the museum has focused on creating inclusive, accessible programs to foster a lifelong relationship with science. With over 1.5 million annual visitors, the museum has become a hub for community engagement and innovation. Previously, Dr. Humphrey served as CEO of the Arizona Science Center for 15 years, where she significantly increased revenue and assets, and became the first Black American to lead a science center in the U.S. Her extensive board involvement includes roles with the Argonne National Laboratory, Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, Helios Education Foundation, and Grand Canyon Education. Recognized with awards such as the ATHENA Award and inclusion in Forbes’ “50 Over 50” list, Dr. Humphrey holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from GCU and an MBA from Northeastern University.
  • Tom Lewis, CEO of T.W. Lewis Foundation: Tom Lewis is an award-winning businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Founded in 1991, T.W. Lewis Company is best known for its outstanding quality and customer service in the homebuilding industry. In 2013, Lewis received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Professional Builder Magazine and the National Housing Quality Award Committee and was named the first inductee into the National Housing Quality Hall of Fame. In 2000, Lewis and his wife, Jan, formed T.W. Lewis Foundation that supports higher education, children and families in need, youth education and a variety of other local and national nonprofits. T.W. Lewis Foundation has provided over 200 college scholarships to outstanding students to attend some of America’s best universities. In 2020, Lewis published Solid Ground – A Foundation for Winning in Work and Life. This award-winning book shatters the popular myths in today’s culture about how to create a successful life and career. Lewis received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky and his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“Mr. Colangelo is the definition of service before self. When we pick recipients for the Colangelo Servant Leadership Awards, we are looking for those business leaders in our community who really represent that type of leadership,” said Dean of GCU’s Colangelo College of Business John Kaites. “Mr. Ducey, Dr. Gray, Dr. Humphrey and Mr. Lewis all go above and beyond when it comes to combining business and service, so we are thrilled to honor them with this year’s award.” 

As one of the three pillars of the Colangelo College of Business, servant leadership is taught both in and out of the classroom. “Servant leadership should be a core principle of every successful business or organization and these four individuals exemplify that,” Jerry Colangelo said. “They are truly making a difference in our communities and setting an example for future leaders in Arizona.”

Colangelo is an Arizona icon whose Hall of Fame career in sports, business and real estate has spanned 50 years — from the day he arrived in 1968 with $300 in his pocket to a career that included ownership of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks; the Valley’s only major sports championship with the 2001 World Series; the creation/relocation on the Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Rattlers and Arizona Coyotes; reshaping the Valley skyline with two state-of-the-art sports facilities that transformed downtown Phoenix; re-establishing global dominance of USA Basketball; and serving as principal partner with JDM Partners, which has a 60-year history of real estate acquisitions, development and management.

The 2024 Colangelo Servant Leadership recipients were Bill McKee, Brandy Labinjo, Mike Greenawalt and Karrin Taylor Robson.