Marvin D. "Swede" Johnson Achievement Award

The Swede Johnson award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement, quality and effectiveness of state relations on behalf of a higher education institution or state system. Recipients have primary long-term responsibility for state relations at their institution or system and have a proven track record of accomplishment.

The award is named in honor of the late Marvin D. "Swede" Johnson, a longtime director of state government relations at the universities of Arizona and New Mexico. The recipient receives a crystal award at the annual Higher Education Government Relations Conference.

---

Nomination and Selection Process

Nomination deadline: The deadline for the 2012 awards is July 27, 2012.

Criteria

Judges consider the dedication of the nominee over a significant amount of time. Nominees must have:

• Worked as a government relations officer at a higher education institution or system for at least 10 years; service may have been at multiple institutions,
• Demonstrated commitment to state government relations,
• Effectively mobilized others to help meet the institution's legislative goals—for example, created coalitions between other colleges and universities, higher education associations or other groups,
• Used all resources of the campus to achieve legislative goals and
• A record of demonstrated and recognized success.

Nomination instructions

Please enter through the online system. Included in the nomination package:

• A complete entry form.
• A curriculum vitae that provides a concise summary of the individual's education, government relations experience, relevant awards, publications and other significant contributions (information may be summarized using a biographical format but should focus on state government relations experience) and
• A nomination letter detailing how the nominee meets the award criteria. (Self-nominations and nominations by students will not be accepted.)

Selection Process

Nominations are reviewed by an awards selection committee chaired by the vice chair of the Task Force on Higher Education Government Relations. The task force is a collaborative effort of AACC, AASCU, APLU and CASE.

The awards committee reviews all nominations and selects semi-finalists for a second round of judging. Nominators will be contacted for additional materials for semi-finalists, including supporting letters from colleagues, policymakers or other persons familiar with the qualifications of the candidate, and for a personal statement written by the nominee.

Recipients are selected in September, with the awards presented at the annual Higher Education Government Relations Conference. Winners are expected to attend and produce a five-minute biographical DVD for presentation at the conference.

Past Winners

2011
Thomas E. Daniel
University System of Georgia

2010
Richard Hudson
University of Arkansas

2009
Sherri Fulford
Auburn University

2008
Jay Hershenson
City University of New York

2007
Stuart Connock
University of Virginia

2006
Paul Kincaid
Missouri State University

2005
Robert Bartee
University of Nebraska

2004
Karen Yelverton Zamarripa
California State University System

2003
Blake Anderson
Arizona State University

2002
Jack W. Lunsford
Maricopa Community Colleges

2001
David Olien
University of Wisconsin System

2000
Valerie Purnell
University of California System

1999
Daniel C. Holsenbeck
University of Central Florida

1998
Shirley Bird Perry
University of Texas

1997
Edwin M. Crawford
Auburn University, the University of Virginia, The Ohio State University, and the University of California System

1996
Richard L. Kennedy
University of Michigan

1995
Stephen A. Arditti
University of California System

For more information, contact Brian Flahaven, director of legislative, foundation and recognition programs, at flahaven@case.org or +1-202-478-5617.