The Board Life & Governance Committee of the Board of Directors has the honor of selecting the Charles L. Calkins and the Clay F. Lee Award recipients. Individuals for these awards are nominated for extraordinary contributions, visionary leadership and dedication to the values of Wespath Benefits and Investments.

Charles L. Calkins Award

Established in 1988, the Charles L. Calkins Award recognizes an annual conference pension and health benefits administrator who, in partnership with Wespath Benefits and Investments, has provided exceptional service in the administration of pension and health benefits within The United Methodist Church.

The Charles L. Calkins Award is named for Charles L. Calkins, who served the agency as Associate Secretary from 1938 to 1952 and as Executive/General Secretary from 1952 to 1964.

The award recognizes those who have distinguished themselves in the administration of benefits by their:

• Extraordinary effort and unusual and resourceful leadership
• Overall helpfulness to pension and health benefit concerns and sharing of ideas and counsel with Wespath Benefits and Investments
• Responsiveness to Wespath Benefits and Investments in pension and health benefit matters and cooperation and assistance in the overall presentation of the programs of the Church
• Advocacy of pension and health benefit programs of the Church

2019 Award Winners

Pictured from Left to Right: Wespath Board Life and Governance Committee Chairperson Reverend Dr. Gray Southern, Wespath General Secretary Barbara Boigegrain, Reverend Dr. Karl Stegall, Karen Fullerton, and Wespath Board Chair Bishop Robert Schnase.