Richard Workman inducted into Horatio Alger Association
Apr. 11—Dr. Richard Workman, the founder of Heartland Dental and namesake of the Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex in Effingham, has joined an educational organization comprised of select members — including several former U.S. presidents, titans of industry and renowned entertainers.
Workman is now a member of the Horatio Alger Alger Association for Distinguished Americans after receiving the 2024 Horatio Alger Award during an induction ceremony held at the U.S. Supreme Court last week as part a multi-day event that took place in Washington, D.C. from April 4-6. The association announced that he would be included in its class of 2024 in February.
"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Workman as a lifetime member," Terrence J. Giroux, the former executive director of the Horatio Alger Association, said in a press release published in February. "From 85-hour work weeks as a dentist to dedicating his time to giving back to other current and future dentists, his journey exemplifies our Association's core values — perseverance, honesty, and determination. I have no doubt that Dr. Workman will set an incredible example for our Scholars and become a key resource in their educational paths."
The Horatio Alger Association is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships for promising young students who have faced adversity.
"The more I learn, the more grateful and honored I am to have been selected," Workman said in an interview Wednesday. "It was very inspiring to meet other people, hear their stories and, I think most importantly, come away realizing what the Horatio Alger Association is doing for student scholarships."
The Horatio Alger Award is given to individuals who have risen above difficult circumstances through hard work and perseverance. Previous recipients of the award include Maya Angelou, former President Ronald Reagan and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who took part in this year's award ceremonies, which included a speech from former U.S. President George W. Bush.
"It's the only non-legal event allowed in the Supreme Court building, and Justice Clarence Thomas is the person who put the medallion over my head," Workman said. "It was so incredible to a guy like me."
To Workman, who grew up on a farm in the small town of Ingraham, the Horatio Alger Award is a symbol of the "American Dream" and the mindset that just about any challenge can be overcome.
"I consider myself somewhat just a representative of downstate, small town farm life," he said. "To be recognized along with those other people and hear their stories is truly humbling and a great honor, no question."
Editor's note: The Effingham Daily News will feature a broader story about the award and Workman's induction into the association in the spring edition of Effingham Magazine, scheduled to publish May 29.
Nick Taylor can be reached at nick.taylor@effinghamdailynews.com or by phone at 618-510-9226 or 217-347-7151 ext. 300132.
