Lawson named 2022 CCVI Spirit Award Winner

The University of the Incarnate Word is pleased to announce that the 2022 CCVI Spirit Award winner is Angela Lawson, senior associate director of Athletics/Academic Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA). The CCVI Spirit Award recognizes a member of the faculty, administration or staff who has demonstrated, in service to the University and/or to the broader civic community, the spirit of the founders, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. The Mission of the University flows directly from this spirit.

“Angela has integrated her faith in her work and approach to her duties in UIW’s Athletics Department,” said UIW President Thomas M. Evans, PhD. “In this role, she interacts with hundreds of students annually and has impacted thousands of lives over her 21-year career at UIW. The University is pleased to recognize Ms. Angela Lawson’s character, manner of work, selfless acts on behalf of others, promotion of human dignity, and embodiment of the Spirit of the Incarnate Word, which she manifests daily on this campus with recognition as the 2022 CCVI Spirit Award.”

“I feel truly honored and blessed to be the recipient of the CCVI spirit award,” added Lawson. “I thought of all the countless service hours many at UIW put into the UIW community and out of all those people, I was selected as the recipient this year.”

“I understand the significance this award means to our Sisters and the history of the institution. It is humbling to know your peers nominated and voted for you because they believe you represent the spirit and Mission of UIW. I Peter 4:10… ‘As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.’”

Lawson was nominated for this award by the entire athletic department, inclusive of its administrators, coaches, staff and student-athletes, and joined by other academic administrators, faculty and staff from across the University. Lawson, they note, is someone who walks with God and is not afraid to share his love and light.

“There is no one more honest in the athletics department than Angela,” noted Athletic Director Richard Duran. “Whether the truth is easy to hear or more difficult, she speaks it with love and with the intent of helping others.”

Lawson joined UIW as the women’s basketball head coach in 2000-2001 and still holds the program’s record for most wins with a 190-174 record in 13 seasons. In 2013, Lawson transitioned into athletic administration and continues to work to better the lives of all student-athletes within UIW Athletics.

Lawson serves as a living embodiment of just action for others. A former student-athlete herself, she continues to advocate for coaches and students. Throughout her 21 years of service to UIW, she has shown resiliency and the ability to adapt and innovate.

The committee recognized Lawson’s character, manner of work, selfless acts on behalf of others, promotion of human dignity, and embodiment of the Spirit of the Incarnate Word which she manifests daily.

“The award captures the heart, the soul of the sisters,” said Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI, vice president of Mission and Ministry. “Angela has in each and every encounter made God present. She is a woman of courage, integrity, faith and hope, so needed today. She lives right relationships and calls each one to be the person God intends us to be!”