Chancellor McRaven receives Intrepid Freedom Award

The annual award is presented to a national or international leader who has distinguished himself or herself in promoting and defending the values of freedom and democracy.

"This award celebrates Americans who have dedicated their lives to advancing our nation – through service and sacrifice, through education and innovation," said Susan Marenoff-Zausner, president of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. "We are proud to recognize Chancellor McRaven for going above and beyond the call of duty, and we thank him for his immeasurable contributions to our great nation and to the contribution he is making toward our future."

Past recipients include George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Boris Yeltsin, John McCain, Madeleine Albright, Henry Kissinger and Colin Powell.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum was founded by New York developer and philanthropist Zachary Fisher after spearheading a campaign to save the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid from the scrap yard. Centered on Intrepid, a National Historic Landmark, the museum features the space shuttle Enterprise, the world's fastest jets and a guided missile submarine. Through its collection of historic artifacts, exhibitions and programming, the museum promotes the awareness and understanding of history, science and service. In 1982, the same year the museum opened, the Fishers established the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation to help families of military members who lost their lives serving their country.

In 1990, the couple established the Fisher House Foundation, which constructs "comfort homes" at military and VA medical centers, enabling family members of hospitalized military personnel to be present during treatment. Today there are more than 60 Fisher Houses across the country, with many more planned or under construction. Fisher Houses serve more than 22,000 families a year. Since its establishment, the program has provided over 5.2 million days of lodging, saving military and veteran families more than $235 million in travel and lodging costs.

“This was a special night for me because I had the great honor of paying tribute to a man who has earned the respect of the world,” Ken Fisher, chairman of the Fisher House Foundation, said Thursday night after the Intrepid Freedom Award was presented to McRaven.

McRaven expressed profound appreciation and gratitude to the Fisher family and to the men and women who have served the nation’s military.

"I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this award and to accept it on behalf of all the men and women who have served and are serving in the armed forces. The Fisher family has done so much for those who defend our nation, from preserving our history to literally providing a roof over our heads in times of greatest need. For those things and more, I am deeply grateful," McRaven said.

"It has been my distinct privilege to lead young men and women who volunteered to serve their country in the military, and now, I am equally honored to serve the UT System, to have the opportunity to help our students achieve their dreams and to play a part in shaping the leaders of tomorrow," McRaven added. "As I visit UT campuses and witness the world-class teaching and groundbreaking research taking place, I have no doubt that the future of America, and the future of freedom and democracy, is in good hands."

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking research and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States, with nine academic universities, six health institutions and an enrollment of more than 214,000. The UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public universities in Texas. The UT System has an annual operating budget of $15.6 billion (FY 2015) including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With about 90,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.