Awards

UMACRAO recognizes members who have served our profession or the association with several awards. The UMACRAO Nominations Committee votes on nominations, and forwards to the UMACRAO executive board for final approval. Awards are presented at the fall annual meeting. The following is a description of the UMACRAO awards:

Tina Falkner Inspiration Award

Named for AACRAO and UMACRAO Past-President Tina Falkner, this award recognizes a UMACRAO member who has demonstrated a profound commitment to enhancing organizational strength through inspiring others to achieve their career or personal goals by lending extraordinary levels of support.

Exemplary Service Award

This award celebrates the outstanding contribution of a UMACRAO member to the Association and/or the profession. It is the UMACRAO award recognizing leadership and professionalism.

Honorary Membership

This award is given to individuals who are retiring, leaving the profession, or leaving the region who have made significant contributions to UMACRAO.

Staff Support Award

The Staff Support Award is given to a UMACRAO member who makes an exceptional contribution their institution and the Association while working in a support staff role.

Exemplary New Member Award

The Exemplary New Member Award is given to a UMACRAO member who, up to their fifth year of membership, has made an exceptional or unique contribution to the organization and demonstrates promise as a future UMACRAO leader.

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

Year Name School Award
2025 Abbie Maubach Iowa State University Exemplary New Member
2025 Taylor Copp University of Iowa Exemplary New Member
2025 Jamie Pettit University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary New Member
2025 Cynthia Moreno Ridgewater Colleges Staff Support Role
2025 Jodi Pierce North Dakota State University Exemplary Service Award
2025 Joyce Kepford South Dakota State University Honorary Membership
2025 Sara Sullivan University of Iowa/Cornell University Honorary Membership
2025 Joni Krueger Augustana University/Antioch University Honorary Membership
2025 Joni Krueger Augustana University/Antioch University Tina Falkner Inspiration Award
2024 Colleen Harms University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary New Member 
2024 Jacob Nolton Iowa State University Exemplary New Member 
2024 Kacey Donamaria Minot State University Exemplary New Member 
2024 Megan Wollner University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Staff Support Award
2024 Julie Fell University of Iowa Honorary Life Membership
2024 Elissa Thoman University of Iowa Exemplary Service Award
2024 Amber Cellotti University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Tina Falkner Inspiration Award
2023 Shannon Seehase University of Northern Iowa Staff Support Award
2023 Mickie Deaton Iowa State University Exemplary New Member 
2023 Joni Krueger Augustana University Exemplary Service Award
2023 Chance McWorthy Kirkwood Community College Tina Falkner Inspiration Award
2022 Caroline Jens University of Iowa Exemplary New Member
2022 Sara Morelli University of Iowa Exemplary New Member
2022 Amber Cellotti University of Minnesota Exemplary Service Award
2022 Sara Sullivan University of Iowa Exemplary Service Award
2022 Diane Rupp Iowa State University Honorary Life Membership
2022 Tina Falkner University of Minnesota Honorary Life Membership
2022 Tina Falkner University of Minnesota Inspiration Award
2021 Lawrence Lockwood University of Iowa Honorary Life Membership
2021 Sue Van Voorhis University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Honorary Life Membership
2021 Chelsea Burk University of Iowa Exemplary New Member Award

2020

 Faye Draper Iowa State University Staff Support Award
2020 Hannah Rounds University of Iowa Exemplary New Member Award
2020 Chance McWorthy Mount Mercy University Exemplary Service Award
2019 Rick Pospichal  Winona State University Exemplary New Member Award
2019 Sarah Harris  University of Iowa Honorary Life Member
2019 Rhonda Kitch  Cornell University Honorary Life Member
2019 Dan Delaney University of Minnesota-Twin Cities  Staff Support Award
2018 Lori Beseler Winona State University Honorary Life Membership
2018 Sara Sullivan University of Iowa Exemplary New Member Award
2018 Elissa Thoman University of Iowa Exemplary New Member Award
2018 Samantha Schneekloth Mount Mercy University Exemplary New Member Award
2017 Char Hulesebus Iowa State University Honorary Life Membership
2017 Laura Osborn Dakota State University Exemplary New Member Award
2017 Jessica Alberhasky University of Iowa Exemplary New Member Award
2016 Phil Patton University of Northern Iowa Honorary Life Membership
2016 Carl Stange Winona State University Honorary Life Membership
2016 Ingrid Nuttall University of Minnesota Honorary Lifetime Membership
2016 Shawna Massow Coe College Exemplary New Member Award
2016 Amber Cellotti University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Exemplary New Member Award
2016 Mary Bergstrom North Dakota University Exemplary Service Award
2015 Suzanne Anderson University of North Dakota Honorary Life Membership
2015 Kelly Palmer Coe College Staff Support Award
2015 Sara VandeKamp Augustana College Exemplary New Member Award
2014 Karen Fluegge Minnesota State University-Mankato Honorary Lifetime Membership
2014 Wendy Mulder University of Northern Iowa Staff Support Award Award
2014 Jodi Pierce North Dakota State University Staff Support Award Award
2014 Meghan Trueman University of Manitoba Exemplary New Member Award
2014 Katrina Chapman Bethel University Exemplary New Member Award
2013 Susan Battles Concordia University Exemplary Service Award
2013 Chance McWorthy Mount Mercy University Exemplary New Member Award
2012 Ingrid Nuttall University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary Service Award*
2012 Rhonda Kitch North Dakota State University Exemplary Service Award*
2012 Lori Beseler Winona State University Exemplary Service Award
2012 Jennifer Love University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary New Member Award
2011 Kathy Jones Iowa State University Honorary Lifetime Membership
2011 Mary Koskan University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Honorary Lifetime Membership
2011 Jason Clapp Mount Mercy College Exemplary New Member Award
2010 Kasi Williamson University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary New Member Award
2010 Dan Johnson Lake Region State College Exemplary Service Award
2010 Carl Stange Winona State University Exemplary Service Award
2009 Heather Soleim North Dakota State University Exemplary Service Award
2009 Karen Fluegge Minnesota State University, Mankato Exemplary Service Award
2009 Kristie Vortherms Southeast Technical Institute Exemplary Service Award
2009 Kristin Tomanek North Dakota State University Staff Support Award
2009 Mary Iverson Mayville State University Honorary Lifetime Membership
2009 Monte Johnson Valley City State University Honorary Lifetime Membership
2009 Carol Stalheim Concordia College Honorary Lifetime Membership
2008 Tina Falkner University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary Service Award
2008 Phyllis Thompson University of Sioux Falls Honorary Lifetime Membership
2008 Dave Gjerde Minnesota State University, Mankato Honorary Lifetime Membership
2007 Vickie Roberts University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary Service Award
2007 Margo Mueller University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary Service Award
2007 Mary Iverson Mayville State University Exemplary Service Award
2007 Phyllis Thompson University of Sioux Falls Exemplary Service Award
2007 Julie Fell University of Iowa Exemplary New Member Award
2007 Karla Mae Elling Iowa State University Exemplary New Member Award
2007 Sarah Harris University of Iowa Exemplary New Member Award
2006 Laurie Tralle MnSCU Exemplary Service Award
2006 Heidi Kippenhan University of North Dakota Exemplary Service Award
2006 Ingrid Nuttall University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary New Member Award
2006 Brain Steenerson University of North Dakota Honorary Lifetime Membership
2005 Sue Van Voorhis University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Exemplary Service Award
2005 Jackie Carlson University of Minnesota, Duluth Exemplary Service Award
2005 Char Hulsebus Iowa State University Exemplary Service Award
2004 Laura Foering Iowa State University Exemplary Service Award
2004 Debbie Henderson University of Minnesota Staff Support Award Award
2004 Dave Gjerde Minnesota State University, Mankato Exemplary Service Award

*2012 Exemplary Service also was awarded to Amy Gleason and Ed Lee of WACRAO at the joint conference.