Cecelia W. Sawyer to receive honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
JANS – Rust College will confer the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters upon Cecelia W. Sawyer during its 160th Commencement Exercise, to be held Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. on the Grand Lawn in front of the McCoy Administration Building.
A distinguished alumna of Rust College, Sawyer exemplifies the institution’s enduring mission to prepare graduates to “rise up and stand tall wherever they may find themselves.” Her career reflects exceptional achievement in executive leadership, health care administration, education, and community engagement.
Sawyer earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Rust College and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and a diploma in nursing from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. She is also a Certified Senior Advisor and a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Her commitment to education is further demonstrated through her service as an adjunct professor in health care economics and management at the University of Phoenix.
A trailblazing executive, Sawyer became the first African American woman to serve as Chief Executive Officer within Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, leading both Methodist South Hospital and Methodist University Hospital. In these roles, she oversaw strategic planning and operations within a major integrated health system, advancing service delivery, expanding access to care, and strengthening organizational performance.
Her leadership has been marked by innovation and measurable impact. She led significant expansions in transplant services, increased operational efficiency, and implemented major facility and technology enhancements. Her work has consistently improved access to quality health care, particularly for underserved communities, through collaborative partnerships, outreach initiatives, and patient-centered programming.
Sawyer’s commitment to community service extends beyond her executive roles. She has served in numerous leadership capacities, including two terms as Chair of the Rust College Board of Trustees, where she also served as Interim President. Her civic and philanthropic involvement includes service with national and local organizations such as the NAACP, The Links, Incorporated, and various educational and cultural boards.
Her distinguished career has earned widespread recognition, including honors from the Memphis Business Journal, Tennessee Magazine, and numerous civic and professional organizations. A respected thought leader, she continues to contribute to public discourse on health care leadership and community advancement.
A native of Mississippi, Sawyer attributes her accomplishments to a foundation rooted in faith, education, and service. She remains a committed supporter of Rust College, contributing generously to its mission and future growth.
Sawyer and her husband, Stan, reside in Memphis, Tennessee. They are the parents of two sons, Vincent Sawyer and the late Jeremy Sawyer.
