Judges consider the dedication of the nominee over a significant amount of time. People who meet these criteria are eligible for nomination:

• 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 sharing similar goals
• Used all resources of the campus to achieve legislative goals
• A record of demonstrated and recognized success

The 2021 Service Awards in Government Relations nomination period is now open. The nomination period closes on September 29, 2021.

All nomination information and materials are submitted online by someone at a CASE member institution. Include in the nomination package:

• A complete entry form by the official nominator (self-nominations and nominations by students will not be accepted) answering entry questions. Each question has a 500 character limit.

1. How long has the nominee worked as a government relations officer at a higher education institution or system?
2. How has the nominee demonstrated commitment to state government relations?
3. How has the nominee 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)
4. How has the nominee effectively used resources to achieve legislative goals?
5. Please provide any further information on the nominee's qualifications.

• 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)

The awards committee reviews all nominations and selects finalists.

2019 Robin Walton - Thomas Edison State University 
2018 John N. Diamond - University of Maine
2017 Dene Sheheane - Georgia Institute of Technology
2016 Martin Oetting - University of Missouri System
2015 Owen Holmes - California State University, Fullerton
2014 Sherry Burkey - Western Washington University
2013 Ron Withem - University of Nebraska
2012 Susan Peterson - Kansas State University
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
2016 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