NIRSA Honor Award

The NIRSA Honor Award is the highest award given by our Association. It recognizes a member for outstanding achievements in the profession and exemplary service to the Association.

Each year award recipients are recognized through a variety of mediums, including press releases, social media, and various digital displays and announcements at conferences throughout the year.

Mondo, sponsor of the NIRSA Honor Award

Thank you to our sponsor, Mondo

Nominations are due November 15, 2023

The nomination period has ended.

Eligibility

To be eligible for nomination, the individual should meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be a NIRSA Member in good standing (former members retired from the profession retain eligibility)
  • Have at least eight years of experience in the field of collegiate recreation
  • Be a member in good standing and exemplify standards of ethical behavior, consistent with the NIRSA Member Code of Ethics

Nomination Requirements

Prepare a letter of nomination indicating how your nominee exhibits outstanding volunteer leadership in the Association and exceptional leadership on their campus by addressing the Eligibility and Selection Criteria:

  • Nominee must have at least three letters of support from NIRSA members to be considered
  • Encourage others who know the nominee to submit their own letter and provide additional insight (It is a conflict of interest for serving committee members to submit a nomination letter and recommendation for any nominee)
  • Nominators must provide accurate data relating to dates and accomplishment for cited contributions
  • Submit your nomination materials via the link at the top of this page

Selection Criteria

Your letter of nomination should address your nominee’s qualifications within as many of the following areas as possible:

  • Participation in efforts of significant breadth or impact to the services or programs of the Association
  • Contribution in efforts to support the Association through times of transition, change, self-assessment, or planning
  • Innovation or fulfillment of new initiatives within the Association
  • Contribution to the Association’s commitment to serve and recruit a diverse membership
  • Influence, motivation, or support in the development of students, young professionals, or emerging leaders in the profession
  • Contribution to the learning or scholarly endeavors of others through research, assessment, teaching, presentations, or publication development
  • Accomplishment of goals or strategic projects, through appointed roles or elected office within the Association at the institutional, state, regional, or national level
  • Enhancement of the visibility, awareness, or impact of the profession and/or the Association to external organizations, business or governing entities, or individuals

Additional characteristics/achievements that will be considered:

  • Volunteerism with public or civic organizations
  • Honors and awards

Tips for writing letters of support for Honor Award nominees

  • Don’t just say how wonderful your nominee is; give solid, well described examples of how your nominee meets or exceeds the selection criteria, and provide honest, specific information by expanding on examples from their resume
  • Show how your nominee was involved in volunteer leadership and give concrete examples as to what was accomplished as a result of their leadership
    • Example: “as an active member of three national committees, and the chair of two, (nominee) worked on (committee, sub-committee, leadership group) and was instrumental in hosting the (symposium/workshop, etc.)”
  • List ways your nominee has provided support to students and young professionals
  • Share your nominee’s significant contributions to their campus, showcasing any involvement in the support of NIRSA goals and professional and student development

Previous Recipients

2023 – 2020

2024 —Bill Crockett, University of Maryland, Baltimore – Learn more

2023 — Kathleen Hatch, Kansas State University – Learn more

2022 — R. Kevin Marbury, Ph.D. – Learn more

2021 — Stacey L. Hall, Ph.D. – Learn more

2020 — Eric Nickel, James Madison University – Learn more

2019 – 2010

2019 — Stan L. Shingles, Central Michigan University – Learn more

2018 — Vicki Highstreet, RCRSP, University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Learn more

2017 — Greg Jordan, Oakland University – Learn more

2016 — Mick Deluca, UCLA – Learn more

2015 — Moe McGonagle, DePaul University – Learn more

2014 — Mark Fletcher, University of Virginia – Learn more

2013 — Thomas G. Kirch, RCRSP, Oregon State University

2012 — Juliette R. Moore, CRSS, The University of Arizona

2011 — Kathryn George Bayless, CRSS, Indiana University

2010 — Patricia “Patti” Bostic, University of Connecticut

2009 – 2000

2009 — Sue Ivie Boling, CRSS, Virginia Commonwealth University

2008 — Sid Gonsoulin, CRSS, University of Southern Mississippi

2007 — Tom Dison, The University of Texas at Austin

2006 — John T. Meyer, CRSS, University of Colorado

2005 — Pat Besner, University of Toledo

2004 — Samuel Hirt, CRSS, Vanderbilt University

2003 — Natalie Kovac, CRSS, NIRSA National Center

2002 — Stan Campbell, CRSS, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

2001 — Hazel Varner, CRSS, Keene State College

2000 — Lawrence Preo, Purdue University, West Lafayette

 

1999 – 1990

1999 — J. Michael Dunn, Ohio State University

1998 — Jeff Vessely, Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis

1997 — Janet C. Gong, University of California, Davis

1996 — Jesse A. “Tony” Clements, CRSS, University of Illinois

1995 — Horace Moody, Southern University

1994 — Judith Bryant, Georgia State University

1993 — Charles E. Fisher, CRSS, Oregon State University

1992 — Patti Holmes, CRSS, Holmes Training & Development

1991 — Mary A. Daniels, CRSS, The Ohio State University

1990 — Bill Vendl, CRSS, California State University, Long Beach

 

1989 – 1980

1989 — Gene Lamke, CRSS, San Diego State University

1988 — Don C. Bailey, CRSS, University of North Texas

1987 — Tom R. Jones, CRSS, Central Michigan University

1986 — Richard F. Mull, CRSS, Indiana University

1985 — Dennis A. Corrington, CRSS, Texas A&M University

1984 — William G. Manning, University of California, Berkeley

1983 — Louis Marciani, CRSS, University of Southern Mississippi

1982 — Chuck Schelsky, CRSS, Oklahoma State University

1981 — William A. Thompson, CRSS, Long Beach City College

1980 — Will M. Holsberry, CRSS, Oregon State University

1979 – 1970

1979 — Ellis J. Mendelsohn, CRSS, University of Louisville

1978 — C.E. “Pat” Mueller, University of Minnesota

1977 — David O. Matthews, CRSS, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

1976 — A.A. “Sonny” Rooker, CRSS, Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness, Texas

1975 — Ned A. Linta, Delaware Valley College

1974 — H. Edsel Buchanan, CRSS, University of Nebraska, Omaha

1973 — Paul H. Gunsten, CRSS, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

1972 — J. Clinton Hollinger, The Cooper Union

1971 — Ross E. Townes, North Carolina Central University

1970 — Al C. Zuaro, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

1969 – 1963

1969 — William N. Wasson, CRSS, Wayne State University

1968 — Albert E. Lumley, Amherst College

1967 — Embra C. Bowie, Morgan State College

1966 — Earl Riskey, University of Michigan

1965 — John Heffernan, Brown University

1964 — Paul V. Keen, University of Oklahoma

1963 — George Haniford, CRSS, Purdue University

For More Info

For more information about the NIRSA Honor Award, please contact the NIRSA Membership & Leadership Coordinator, Rachel Marcella.