The Isaiah Thomas Award is given in recognition of Distinguished Community Service in Worcester, Massachusetts.
2026 ISAIAH THOMAS AWARD RECIPIENT
GEORGE W. TETLER III
George Tetler is a nationally recognized, skilled, and successful business lawyer with more than 40 years of experience. He is a partner in Prince Lobel’s Business Transactions and Real Estate Practice Groups.
While his corporate success is significant, the Isaiah Thomas Award recognizes George as a dedicated, community service oriented leader.
He has been an active part of the Worcester community for decades and is, or has been, a leader in countless organizations. To name a few: American Antiquarian Society, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester State University, New England Commission of Higher Education, Nativity School of Worcester, Worcester Education Collaborative, Learning First Charter Public School, Worcester Business Development Corporation, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Worcester Venture Forum, United Way of Central Massachusetts, Music Worcester, Worcester Economic Development Coordinating Council, and Worcester Center for Crafts.
George is a wise and forceful behind-the–scenes leader: his leadership and counsel have made a profound and lasting impact on Worcester and the entire central Massachusetts region.
2026 YOUTH ISAIAH THOMAS AWARD RECIPIENT
CHELSEA OHENAWAA OKANTEY
North High School
Chelsea Ohenewaa Okantey is a senior at Worcester Public Schools’ North High School.
Chelsea’s dedication to her community is best exemplified by her over 200 hours of community service to organizations such as St. John’s Food Pantry, Walk for the Homeless, Walk Like MADD Greater Boston, Belmont Community School Family Night, and the Worcester Public Library College & Career Access Fair, and more. Chelsea represents the very best of our community. She possesses an innate sense of compassion and commitment to the place she calls home, approaching every experience with “optimism, maturity, and a strong moral compass rooted in her family’s values and her own sense of purpose.” Chelsea is the ideal embodiment of the inaugural Youth Isaiah Thomas Award.
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HISTORY
In every community there are loyal men and women who unselfishly devote their time and energies to the benefit of others. They do this without expecting reward or acknowledgment, only hoping that their efforts may help to build a better community with greater opportunities for all citizens. Such personal sacrifices and accomplishments merit sincere recognition. This recognition takes tangible form in the presentation of the Isaiah Thomas Award.
Among the pages of Worcester history, one name, more than any other, stands out as best exemplifying community spirit – the name of Isaiah Thomas. He was a man of many accomplishments, who was a printer, publisher, businessman and philanthropist. He did much to promote the betterment of Worcester in its early days. It is appropriate therefore, that his name should be selected as the inspiration for this Award.
A replica of Isaiah Thomas’ printing press, the means he used to enrich the lives of his fellow citizens, was chosen as a physical memento of the award. The true significance of the award lies, however, in the recognition and appreciation by all fellow citizens of the recipient’s “distinguished community service.”
Former Isaiah Thomas Award Recipients
1950 – George F. Booth
1951 – Mrs. J. Herbert Johnson
1952 – Harry G. Stoddard
1953 – Philip M. Morgan
1954 – George N. Jeppson
1955 – Everett F. Merrill
1956 – George F. Fuller
1957 – Cardinal John F. Wright
1958 – F. Harold Daniels
1959 – Raymond P. Harold
1960 – Richard C. Potter
1961 – Milton P. Higgins
1962 – Richard J. Rutherford
1963 – Edwin B. Coghlin
1965 – H. Ladd Plumley
1967 – Howard B. Jefferson
1969 – Cosmo E. Mingolla
1971 – Robert S. & Helen A. Bowditch
1973 – Edward C. Maher
1975 – Anthony A. Borgatti Jr.
1977 – John Jeppson II
1979 – Joseph T. Benedict
1982 – Richard C. Steele
1983 – Anthony J. Stevens Jr.
1985 – Jacob Hiatt
1987 – John D. Hunt
1989 – Anne M. & Paul S. Morgan
1991 – Mark R. Ungerer
1993 – Lois B. Green
1995 – Fairman C. Cowan
1997 – William P. Densmore
1999 – Rev. Richard & Shirley Wright
2000 – Rev. Paul D. Kennedy D.D.
2001 – Russell E. Fuller
2002 – Henry B. Dewey
2003 – Francis R. Carroll
2004 – Edwin B. Coghlin Jr.
2005 – Michael P. Angelini
2006 – Charles F. Monahan Jr.
2007 – Sumner B. Tilton Jr.
2008 – James W. Coghlin Sr.
2009 – John & Kay Bassett
2010 – Mary C. DeFeudis
2012 – Martha & Arthur Pappas
2013 – Abraham Haddad
2014 – Mark W. Fuller
2015 – Michael D. Sleeper
2016 – Patricia & Frederick Eppinger
2017 – Warner S. Fletcher
2024 – J. Christopher Collins
2024 ISAIAH THOMAS AWARDS
Highlight Reel
Recipient: J. Christopher Collins
Chris is Of Counsel at Mirick O’Connell, where he began in 2015 as a member of the Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Litigation Group. He is known both in central Massachusetts and nationally for his expertise in life, health and disability insurance matters. Prior to his current position, Chris served over 30 years with Unum Group and its predecessor companies. While at Unum, he became senior vice president and general counsel at Unum US, the largest provider of group and individual disability insurance in the U.S.
Chris is very active in the Worcester Community. He has served on numerous Boards for non-profits in Worcester. He was the Chair of the Nativity School for six years and was a member of its Board for nine; he has been Council Member and corporator for the American Antiquarian Society; he served as Chair of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and has been a Board member as well; he served as a past Trustee, President, Trustee Emeritus, Salisbury Society member & Co-Chair, for the Worcester Art Museum; Chris has served as the Campaign Chair for the United Way of Central Massachusetts and on the UW’s Alexis De Tocqueville Society; he has been a Board member and Board President of The Bridge of Central Massachusetts; he has been the Campaign Chair for ArtsWorcester’s Framing the Future Capital Campaign; he has also been a member of the College of the Holy Cross’ Board of Trustees, Presidents Council, and Chair of the Class of 1980. As a leader in Worcester-area not-for-profits, he has received numerous accolades from the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, March of Dimes, Boy Scouts of America, United Way, the Nativity School, and more.
