Individual Achievement Awards

Chief Executive Leadership AwardDistinguished Service AwardRising Star AwardVirginia Carter Smith Recognition AwardVolunteer of the Year Award
View past winners
District VI Chief Executive Leadership Award

CASE District VI is pleased to offer this prestigious award to recognize outstanding leadership and service in support of education. We invite nominations of chief executives whose contributions to their campuses and communities deserve exceptional notice and praise.

The Chief Executive Leadership Award is presented annually to an outstanding president, chancellor, headmaster or system head of a District VI  member institution. Executive directors and/or presidents of institutionally related foundations and/or associations are not eligible for this award.

Learn more about submitting a nomination.

 

Distinguished Service Award

This award honors persons with exemplary professional service to CASE and District VI, including active involvement in the advancement profession for a minimum of eight years. Including:

  • Professional employment with CASE VI member institutions for a least eight years
  • Regular attendance at CASE VI meetings
  • Volunteer service to CASE sponsored conferences, programs, and activities
  • Outstanding achievement in the total spectrum of endeavors represented by CASE's objectives for the advancement profession

Learn more about submitting a nomination.

 

Rising Star Award

Created in 2012, the purpose of the Rising Star Award is to recognize individuals working in the advancement professions of Alumni Relations, Communications and Marketing, and Philanthropy for a maximum of seven years demonstrating their potential for leadership within their chosen area of advancement, as well as an enthusiasm and commitment to their profession and their professional organization, CASE.

  • Individuals nominated must have been in the advancement profession for 3-7 years and have served as a volunteer for CASE for a minimum of two years.
  • The nominee must have demonstrated a consistently high level of professional achievement and strong leadership qualities.
  • The nominee should be actively involved in the advancement of CASE with new ideas which can make a positive impact as well as a commitment to participate in areas of responsibility with CASE in the future.

Learn more about submitting a nomination.

 

Virginia Carter Smith Recognition Award

This award is presented to senior advancement professionals with exceptional service to CASE who are ending or will be ending their careers within the last or next 12 months. They must have at least 15 years of successful participation in institutional advancement and be employed by a CASE District VI member institution at the time of retirement. The award is presented at the conference nearest the recipient's retirement date.

Learn more about submitting a nomination.

 

Volunteer of the Year Award

This award is presented to persons outside CASE who have given time, talent, and/or gifts to further the success of education through a CASE VI member institution. The award reflects:

  • Voluntary service to education only
  • A diversity of service to education and the CASE VI member institution

Learn more about submitting a nomination.

Nomination Instructions

The nominator must be on staff at a CASE member institution, educational affiliate, or educational partner.

All application materials are submitted online. Nominators will be asked to answer these questions:

  • Please provide a brief overview of why you are nominating this candidate for this award. If selected for an award, this statement will be used on the CASE website and in promotional materials.
  • In addition to attaching the candidate's resume/CV, please provide a brief summary of the candidate’s professional experience. If selected for an award, this statement may be used on the CASE website and in promotional materials. 
  • Describe the length, type and variety of service that the candidate has given to the institution. 
  • Explain the impact that the candidate has made on the institution and the communities it serves. 
  • Describe the candidate’s involvement with CASE and/or other volunteer service. 
  • What sets this candidate apart from others? 
  • Describe how the candidate has supported advancement efforts, including marketing/communications, alumni relations, advocacy, and fundraising*.

*Only required for the Chief Executive Leadership Award 

Nominators also will be asked to upload:

  • A resume/CV of the candidate
  • A headshot of the candidate
  • Two letters in support of the nomination from someone other than the person submitting the nomination.

Nomination period is closed.

Past Winners

2021
Dr. Kevin Eichner, Chancellor Emeritus, Ottawa University
Dr. Susan Thomas, President, Truman State University

2020
Dr. Jacqueline Vietti, President Emeritus, Butler County Community College

2019
Dr. Hal Higdon, Chancellor, Ozarks Technical Community College System

2018
Dr. Michael Ash, President, Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa

2017
Dr. John Christensen, University of Nebraska Omaha

2016
Dr. Donald M. Claycomb, State Technical College of Missouri

2015
Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, President, College of Saint Mary

2014
Dr. David L. Chicoine, President, South Dakota State University

2013
Kirk H. Schulz, President, Kansas State University

2012
Dr. Richard F. ( Dick ) Celeste, Colorado College, CEO Retired

2011
Dr. David Maxwell, Drake University; Dr. David L. Sallee, William Jewell College

2010
John F. Carney III, Chancellor, Missouri University of , Science and Technology

2009
Dr. Edward H. Hammond, Fort Hays State University; Dr. Dean L. Hubbard, Northwest Missouri State
University

2008
Ben Ernst, President, Ranken Technical College; Dr. Jerry Farley, President, Washburn University

2007
Jack R. Ohle, President, Wartburg College

2006
Jon Wefald, President, Kansas State University

2005
Dr. Daniel M. Lambert, President, Baker University

2004
Philip L. Dubois, President, University of Wyoming

2021
Steve Reed, Director of Public Information, Cottey College

2020
Bob Otterson, Director of Development, North Dakota State University College of Business

2019
Mark Jastorff, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Fort Lewis College

2018
No award recipient

2017
Sheri Irwin-Gish, University of Nebraska Lincoln

2016
Lee Denker, University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association

2015
Todd McCubbin, Associate Vice Chancellor of Alumni Relations; Executive Director, University of Missouri Alumni Association; Kevin Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Dickinson State University Foundation

2014
Mary Feller, Executive Director, Craig Hospital Foundation

2013
Cora Zaletel, Executive Director, External Affairs, Colorado State University-Pueblo

2012
Erin Verry, Maryville University

2011
Curtis Crespino, University of Missouri - Kansas City

2009
Sherri Schmidt, North Dakota State University; Jerry Weakley, Baker University

2008 
John Amato, Des Moines University

2007
Keri Drinka, North Dakota State University

2006
Diane Calbeck, Drake University

2005
Kenneth Converse, Buena Vista University

2004
Cornie Wassink, Northwestern; Gerald Anglum, University of Northern Iowa

2003
J. Todd Coleman, University of Missouri

2002
Andrew Careaga, University of Missouri-Rolla; Paul Chewning, former CASE VP for Professional Development

2001
Paul Kincaid, Missouri State University

2000
Susan Chilcott, University of Northern Iowa

1999
Dale Seuferling, University of Kansas

1998
Jack Ohle, Drake University; Charlotte Million, University of Denver

1997
Judy Jasper, Washington University

1996
Lou Cartier, University of Nebraska-Omaha; Amy Button Renz, Kansas State University

1995
Patricia J. Morocco, Bellevue University

1994
Carol D. Tally-Davis, University of Missouri-Kansas City

1993
Carolyn Smith, Colorado Academy; James C. Miller, North Dakota State University

1992
Murray M. Blackwelder, Iowa State University

1991
Phyllis Lepke, Iowa State University; Art Loub, Kansas State University

1990
Dr. Guy Horton, University of Missouri Systems

1989
Gary Timmer, Central College

1988
James Hopson, Iowa State University; Frederick Sudermann, Wichita State University; Barbara L. Yalich, Colorado College

2020-2021
No award recipient

2019
Sami Zoss, University of South Dakota Foundation

2018
No award recipient

2017
Morgan Bossman, University of Jamestown

2016
Aaron Rouse, University of Nebraska Foundation

2015
Stephanie Maier, Director of Programs and Student Engagement, North Dakota State University, Development Foundation and Alumni Association

2014
Mark Versen, Assistant Director of Off-Campus Programs, Colorado College

2013
Elizabeth Kraemer, Director of Alumni Programs, UNO Alumni Association

2021
No Recipient

2020
Cindy Spiker (nominated by Truman State University); Sylvia and Roy Robinson (nominated by Kansas State University)

2019
Lawrence and Marilyn Matteson; John Anderson

2018
Gordon Trafton, University of Colorado Boulder, Leeds School of Business, Boulder, Colorado; Richard G. Ballantine, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado

2017
Richard Miller, University of Missouri

2016
Patricia Macdonald, University of Missouri-Kansas City

2015
Steve Richardson, University of Missouri-Columbia

2014
Judith A. Kuergeleis Schmuck, William Woods University

2012
Susanne Richardson Teel, (nominated by Baker University); Kurt and Sue Watson, (nominated by University of Kansas)

2011
Jerome J. "Jerry" Lohr (nominated by South Dakota State University); Angela Bennett, (nominated by UMKC)

2008
Richard (Dick) Monfort (nominated by University of Northern Colorado)

2007
Larry McMullen (nominated by University of Missouri)

2006
Donald Lamberti (nominated by Buena Vista University)

2005
Curt Frasier (nominated by Kansas State University)

2003
Jeannette Nichols (nominated by University of Missouri-Kansas City)

2002
Richard Small (nominated by Cornell College)

2001
Dane and Polly Bales (nominated by University of Kansas)

2000
Max and Lois Hubbard (nominated by Wichita State University)

1999
Mary Kay McPhee (nominated by University of Missouri-Kansas City)

1998
Bob and Barbara Eddy (nominated by Iowa State University)

1997
Dr. Ralf J. Thomas (nominated by Pittsburgh State University)

1996
Owen J. Newlin (nominated by Iowa State University)

1995
Madelyn M. Levitt (nominated by Drake University)

1994
Paul "Buck" Gallagher (nominated by North Dakota State University)

1993
Joseph Cannon (nominated by Emporia State University)

1992
Warren Kiederich (nominated by North Dakota State University)

1991
Ruth Holtan (nominated by Waldorf College)

1989-90
Dawn Wells (nominated by Stephens College)

1988
Col. David Wege (nominated by the U.S. Air Force Academy)

2018–2021
No award recipient

2017
Terry Fairfield, University of Nebraska Foundation

2016
Jerry Weakley, Baker University

2015
Kevin Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Dickinson State University Foundation

2014
Paul Kincaid, Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President for University Relations, Missouri State University

2012
Judy Wright, University of Kansas - KU Endowment

2009
Valerie Goodin, University of Missouri

2008
Greg Onslot, Missouri State University

2007
Judy Jasper Leicht, Washington University

2005
Kenneth K. Bateman, Pittsburg State University

2003-04
Phyllis Lepke, Iowa State University

2001
Barbara Smith, University of Missouri-Kansas City

2000
Jim Hopson, Iowa State University

1999
Bob Lowen, Fort Hays State University

1998
Ron Plughoft, Fort Hays State University

1996-97
Robert Manthe, University of Missouri-Kansas City; Eleanor Crandall, University of Colorado-Boulder

1995
Glen E. Peterson, Augustana College; Barbara L. Yalich, Colorado College; Arthur F. Loub, Kansas State University

1994
C. Dean Graves, University of Colorado

1993
Kenneth L. Grover, University of South Dakota; Dr. Frank DeFazio, Drake University; Dr. Larry D. Miller, Fort Hays State University; Dr. Guy Horton, University of Missouri; Gary Timmer, Central College

1992 - Guy M. Entsminger, University of Missouri; W.R. Brosman, Colorado College