Alma Mater Magazine - Spring 2006
Virginia Tech Alumni Association
2006 Humanitarian Award
William T. Sergeant '40
Ut Prosim, "That I May Serve" - William T. Sergeant '40 exemplifies the university motto to the fullest extent with his dedicated leadership for Rotary International in a campaign to eradicate polio around the globe. The Virginia Tech Alumni Association proudly recognizes William T. Sergeant with its 2006 Humanitarian Award.
Sergeant, a Rotarian since 1947, accepted the chairmanship in 1994 to head the newly created Rotary International PolioPlus campaign. As chairman, he headed efforts to eradicate polio by trying to mobilize 1.2 million Rotarians in 30,100 Rotary Clubs in 166 countries to take on the challenge. He provided direction and supervision to regional and country by country PolioPlus Committees. This involved coordinating all elements of supply and in giving the vaccine, establishing policies and strategies, and raising more than $650 million. Rotary's PolioPlus works with World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help provide additional resources.
During a typical year, Sergeant would board an airplane around 100 times and visit India, Pakistan, Australia, Thailand, Korea, Taiwan, Spain, Argentina, Scotland, Canada, Switzerland, Egypt, and Zimbabwe in carrying out his responsibilities. He also traveled to New York, Washington, Atlanta, and twice a month to Rotary headquarters in Evanston, Illinois.
Since Rotary began its PolioPlus program, the number of countries which continue to be polio endemic has declined from over 125 countries in 1985 to 4 countries in 2006. When Rotary International launched its program in 1985, more than 350,000 children were paralyzed or died from polio, and in 2005 there were just over 1,900 cases of polio world-wide. At least 122 nations around the world have benefited from PolioPlus grants for polio immunization and eradication efforts. In 2005, as part of the global polio eradication effort, over 390 million children were vaccinated in 47 countries using nearly 2 billion doses of oral polio vaccine.
The Chairman of the Rotary International Foundation from Italy stated, "for the eradication to be a success, continuity in all aspects was a necessity - and that one person, Bill Sergeant, is a polio hero."
Chairman Ravizza of Italy and President of Rotary International, Glenn Estes of Alabama, other world leaders in Rotary, and the Ambassador from Hungary, participated in the commission in Knoxville, TN of a bronze sculpture honoring Bill Sergeant's service to children world-wide. The sculpture showing Sergeant giving the vaccine to a child was created by Hungarian artist Tajos Biro.
Sergeant has also received the Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service, Distinguished Service Award for his special service to the Rotary International Foundation, Service Above Self Award from the Board of Directors, Oak Ridge Chapter of the Knights of Columbus's Annual Award for outstanding service in the field of civic affairs in the city, and the first Kellogg/Hannah Neil International World of Children Award.
Bill Sergeant has contributed so much for humanitarian efforts around the world and is much deserving of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association's Humanitarian Award. His work has saved millions of children around the world who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to get vaccinated against polio.
For more information on PolioPlus and how you can help, please visit www.rotary.org/foundation/polioplus.