Leilani McKinzie-Lavayen Named 2026 John Allen Gable Award Recipient
April 30, 2026
Oyster Bay, N.Y. – The Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) and the Hofstra University History Department announced Leilani McKinzie-Lavayen as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious John Allen Gable Award. The award, presented on April 29, 2026 by TRA Executive Director Chris Cosentino and Professor John Staudt, includes a bust of Theodore Roosevelt and a $1,000 stipend funded by the TRA.
Established in 2008, the John Allen Gable Award recognizes an outstanding Hofstra University history major or minor. It honors Dr. John Allen Gable, TRA Executive Director for 31 years and widely regarded as the foremost scholar of Theodore Roosevelt until his passing in 2005.
Leilani McKinzie-Lavayen, a senior English major at Hofstra with concentrations in Children’s and Young Adult Literature and minors in Psychology and History, exemplifies academic excellence and leadership. She will pursue a Master of Education in Psychological Counseling: School Counselor at Teachers College, Columbia University beginning in Summer 2026.
“Leilani McKinzie-Lavayen’s scholarship, leadership, and dedication to educational equity reflect the transformative power of history that Dr. Gable championed,” said Chris Cosentino, TRA Executive Director. “The TRA is proud to recognize Leilani and honor John Allen Gable’s enduring legacy.”
As founder and president of the Black Honors Student Committee in Hofstra’s Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honors College, McKinzie-Lavayen has championed equity and community for Black honors students. Her signature event, the Mentor Mixer, connects students with faculty mentors to foster belonging and professional growth.
McKinzie-Lavayen’s essay, “The Power of Historical Study and the Pursuit of Educational Equity,” explores how Black history studies have informed her academic and professional path. Drawing from courses such as Protest and Reform in the United States and texts including Elizabeth Hinton’s America on Fire, she examines post-Brown v. Board of Education inequities and outlines her commitment to culturally responsive counseling.
The Theodore Roosevelt Association congratulates Leilani McKinzie-Lavayen on this distinguished honor and commends Hofstra University for continuing this meaningful tradition.
About the Theodore Roosevelt Association
Founded in 1919, the Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) is a historical and public service organization dedicated to perpetuating the memory and ideals of Theodore Roosevelt. Through education, historical scholarship, and community programs, the TRA inspires new generations to embody Theodore Roosevelt’s ideals of courage, integrity, and active citizenship. Learn more at www.theodoreroosevelt.org.