The Authentic Faith in Leadership Award is given annually to two students who exhibit commitment to developing their leadership skills and heeding God’s calling on their lives to serve others. The award is sponsored by Jeremy Fyke Leader Development (JFLD)[1], a leader development firm that exists to help leaders discover and develop their authentic leadership voice to communicate and execute effectively.

Dr. Jeremy Fyke, founder of JFLD, is an associate professor in Communication Studies and Corporate Communication at Belmont. Dr. Fyke has had the opportunity to develop leaders at all levels in all industries and sectors in retail, government, higher education, manufacturing, professional communications, healthcare, finance, and facilities services.

As an educator and people developer, Dr. Fyke’s greatest passion is helping students become authentic leaders who serve others and contribute to the greater good. The Authentic Faith in Leadership Award gives $550 annually to two students as a celebration of achievement and commitment to the two core values of JFLD: authentic development and faith in action.

The recipients of the Authentic Faith in Leadership Award will show a commitment to:

1. Authentic Development. To be authentic is to see ourselves as a work in progress. The student demonstrates openness and vulnerability to admit the need to improve and hone his/her skills. The student is reflective, humble, and teachable by seeking advice and help and taking the necessary actions to get better. Crucially, the student takes the advice and makes changes for the short and long term.
2. Faith in Action. Jeremy Fyke Leader Development is a faith-based business that holds Jesus Christ as the giver of all and the measure of all. As such, JFLD is founded on the principle that everything is a gift from God, and one’s talents are best used in service to others to reflect the glory of God. This student will demonstrate a commitment to using his/her gifts to bring glory to God through service, kindness, and generosity.

Each recipient is awarded $550. The hope is that the recipient uses $500 for expenses related to school or his/her own leader development (e.g., personal enrichment books, online short courses/masterclasses). The additional $50 is designed for the student to be able to offer it as a tithe to a cause of his/her choice (e.g., church, faith-based nonprofit, person in need).

To apply, please respond to the following two prompts in no more than one single-spaced page. Send your responses along with your current resume to Jeremy.fyke@belmont.edu no later than 5pm Friday, March 24, 2023. Winners will be notified by Wednesday, March 29. Winners will be presented their awards at the CLASS Awards Day, Wednesday, April 12, 4-6pm.

1. How do you demonstrate a commitment to authentic leadership development inside and outside of Belmont (see description above)? Be sure to give examples.
2. How does your life exemplify faith in action, as described above? Give examples.

Applicants must be a major or minor in Communication Studies, Corporate Communication or Public Advocacy.

[1] The awards are co-sponsored by Brandon Murphy, a Christian financial advisor in Portland, TN.