WASHINGTON—At its recent Awakening 2025 Conference, The Heritage Foundation honored Larry P. Arnn, Ph.D., with its Great American Award. 

The Great American Award is presented to a leader who has epitomized the American dream through hard work, perseverance, and integrity. They have helped to lead the nation, strengthened communities, and built a country where families can flourish. Past awardees have led lives devoted to military and public service, ministry, and movement building. The award was created by the Amos family in honor of William Amos, Sr., who, along with his brothers (and with only one college degree among them), created the company Aflac.    

Arnn, the president of Hillsdale College, was selected for the award because of his devotion to educating the next generation about America’s founding principles, the great patriots who fought to protect them, and the institutions that passed on those principles.  

“As our country endures battles over our history, our language, and even the meaning of America, Larry Arnn’s steadfast belief that all men are created equal and endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights has inspired students and faculty, parents and philanthropists, elected leaders and citizens,” Heritage Foundation President Dr. Kevin Roberts said in presenting Arnn with the award.  

Roberts added: 

“His life has been dedicated to ensuring that Americans know what it means to love our country through ‘study and learning, prayer and devotion, argument and action’ and know that through these acts we must defend our liberty.”  

Past winners of the Great American Award include Bernie Marcus, co-founder of Home Depot and founder of the Marcus Foundation; Charles C. Krulak, former Commandant of the United States Marine Corps; Dr. James Dobson, Jr., founder of Focus on the Family; and Edwin Meese, III, Former Attorney General of the United States.