Individual Achievement Awards
Beth K. Fields Award
The Beth K. Fields Award was established by the CASE Kentucky Board of Directors in 1994. The award was created in memory of Fields, who served as Director of Unit Associations for the University of Louisville Alumni Association, after a car accident on her way to work claimed her life, just one week after the CASE-Kentucky Conference.
Fields was an active CASE Kentucky Board member and admired advancement professional. The most prestigious award within CASE Kentucky, it recognizes the individual who continually goes above and beyond the call of duty in both their advancement profession and CASE Kentucky. Learn more.
Bill Franklin Volunteer of the Year Award
The Bill Franklin Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes the vital role of volunteers in institutional advancement. A volunteer is any non-staff person who assists in advancing the institution through programs such as fundraising, alumni relations, and student recruitment. Volunteers may not be nominated posthumously. Institutions may nominate only one individual per year. Nominees are judged on their overall volunteer contributions and their long-term effect on the institution. Nominees may be trustees; they may be, but need not be, alumni.
Learn more about submitting a nomination.
Chief Executive Leadership Award
Established in 1999, this prestigious award recognizes the chief executive of a District III member institution for outstanding leadership and service in support of education. We invite nominations of chief executives whose contributions to their campuses and communities deserve exceptional recognition and celebration.
Award Selection Criteria:
The District III Chief Executive Leadership Award may be presented annually to an outstanding president, chancellor, headmaster, or system head of a District III member institution. Chief executives who have retired during the past year may be considered for the award. To qualify, a nominee shall have demonstrated the ability to:
- Create a vision and inspire others.
- Establish a positive image for the institution while leading it to higher levels of success.
- Increase the institution’s stature in the community.
- Encourage innovation and risk-taking among employees.
- Actively support all aspects of institutional advancement.
Learn more about submitting a nomination.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award honors persons with exemplary professional service to CASE and District III, including active involvement in the advancement profession for a minimum of 10 years; professional employment with District III member institutions for at least eight years; regular attendance at District III meetings; volunteer service to CASE sponsored conferences, programs and activities; and outstanding achievement in the total spectrum of endeavors represented by CASE’s objectives for the advancement profession. Current District III cabinet members are excluded from consideration.
Learn more about submitting a nomination.
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award was established in 2018 and recognizes a person with three to ten years of advancement experience whose accomplishments distinguish their trajectory among their peers. It honors the accomplishments of those whose early success demonstrates their enthusiasm for and commitment to the profession, and an understanding of the needs and goals of the philanthropic tradition.
The candidates should be individuals whose performance demonstrates achievement, innovation, professionalism and leadership qualities.
The criteria for nomination are:
- Three to ten years professional experience in any advancement area
- A demonstrated and consistently high level of professional achievement
- Demonstrates potential for leadership within any area of institutional advancement: communications (public relations, media relations, publications, and others), alumni relations or philanthropy (fundraising, advancement services, and others).
- A strong commitment to the advancement profession
- An affiliation with CASE and/or NAIS.
Learn more about submitting a nomination.
Mentor of the Year Award
The Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made an impact on other advancement professionals through their mentorship. Candidates should be nominated by a mentee who has benefited directly from the personal and professional leadership of the mentor. We define a mentor simply as an individual who has provided guidance and support to a professional colleague in one or more of the following areas: sponsorship, coaching, protection, exposure/visibility, support, acceptance and confirmation. There are no specific requirements related to years of service or scope of the relationship.
Learn more about submitting a nomination.
Opportunity and Inclusion Award
The Opportunity and Inclusion Award recognizes an advancement professional who displays leadership in fostering inclusion and diversity within the profession, on their campus, and/or within the surrounding community.
Recipients will possess the following criteria:
- A demonstrated and sustained passion for the advancement of diversity.
- A demonstrated and sustained contribution to increasing diversity within their institution and community.
- A demonstrated and sustained commitment to the progression, career advancement and promotion of diverse, new leaders in the profession.
- Achievements in support of diversity plan goals and/or demonstrated diversity improvement effort.