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Celebrating the spirit of Sarah Fain

The Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award recognizes cumulative efforts made through years of dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional performance in leadership and development of NIRSA programs, policies, events, special projects, or committees.

Nomination period is CLOSED.

The nomination period happens in the fall of each year.

Nomination Information

Other Information

The Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award celebrates the dedication of a NIRSA Championship Series volunteer who has embodied the spirit of Sarah Fain exhibited by their commitment to the Series through years of service to the NIRSA Services Corporation.

Eligibility

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

  • Hold current professional membership in NIRSA
  • Have held continuous membership in NIRSA for three years preceding the nomination for award
  • Has never received the Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award
  • Have volunteered at multiple NIRSA Championship Series Events at the Regional or National level including relevant events prior to the Series
  • Receive a nomination from a current member who has volunteered with the NIRSA Championship Series
  • It is recommended that the current NIRSA Championship Series Executive Committee members not be nominated
  • Be a member in good standing and exemplify standards of ethical behavior, consistent with the NIRSA Member Code of Ethics

Selection Criteria

To illustrate how your nominee exemplifies outstanding service to the NIRSA Championship Series, please describe how your nominee contributed to one or more of the following areas:

  • Leadership of a pioneering nature in the formulation or development of Championship Series activities
  • Sustained, excellent performance as a volunteer over 3 or more years
  • Significant contributions that had a direct impact on NIRSA Championship Series Events including relevant events prior to the Series
  • Extraordinary dedication or creativity exhibited as a member of a NIRSA Championship Series Event
  • Significant contributions to NIRSA Championship Series guidelines, policies, special projects, publications, or event management
  • Tireless dedication to getting the details correct, being a team player, improving the participant experience, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done

Award Recipients

2025-2018

2025: Jacob Tingle, Trinity University

2024: Steve Rey, Western Kentucky

2023: Valerie McCutchan, NIRSA

2022: Anna Castillo, Southwestern University

2021: Mark Williams, University of Notre Dame

2020: Brooke Turner, University of Alabama

2019: Howard Taylor, CRSS, Purdue University

2018: Dan Hazlett, Georgia Institute of Technology

Award Namesake

In Memoriam Sarah Fain

Sarah Fain

Entry Fee & Payment Information

Nomination is free