William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Awards
Named after NIRSA’s founder, Dr. William N. Wasson, the William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Awards recognize exceptional undergraduate and graduate students who set the standard on campuses across the country.
The William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Awards recognize top students, both graduate and undergraduate, in collegiate recreation who participate in or are employed by the Department of Recreational Sports.
Award Timeline
Nominations for this award generally open in late summer, with a deadline in November. Winners are usually notified in December. (This time frame shifts slightly depending on the year.)
The nomination period has ended.
Eligibility
To be eligible for nomination, the individual should meet all of the following criteria:
- Nominees must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students on a university/college campus at the time of nomination or may have graduated from a university/college campus within the academic year that the award is being bestowed. They may be studying any curriculum at their institution but must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or 3.75 on a 5. Scale.
- Nominees must be participants of, volunteers for, and/or employed by the Department of Recreational Sports.
- Graduate student nominees must be student members of NIRSA.
- Recipients may only receive the award twice – once as an undergraduate student and once as a graduate student.
Selection Criteria
The nomination form asks nominators to share information about the student’s:
- Scholarship or professional development through research, honors, self-improvement, continuing education, certifications, presentations, participation in professional organizations (e.g., internships, NIRSA membership, CPR/First Aid).
- Involvement in department service through participation in student organizations, employee/campus recreation advisory board representative, committee work, community/campus activity, or leadership in employee training or orientation programs, etc.
- Campus or community involvement through volunteerism
- Promotion or participation in campus diversity as demonstrated through inclusion, recruitment and/or retention of diverse student populations into recreational sports programs, through participation in orientation, multicultural affairs, or related programs
The William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award Committee evaluates each nomination on a 30-point scale, using a detailed rubric. Often, the quality of the written nomination is the reason a nominee is awarded.
- Up to 5 points are awarded according to the nominee’s GPA.
- Up to 5 points are awarded according to the nominee’s scholarship and professional development. (Full points are awarded if the nominee actively seeks out professional development and/or research opportunities, takes part in self-improvement opportunities through continuing education, certifications, membership and participation in professional organizations, internships, etc., demonstrates proven success through honors and accolades.)
- Up to 5 points are awarded according to the nominee’s leadership. (Full points are awarded if the nominee actively demonstrates outstanding and exemplary leadership within and outside of the recreation department, including recruitment and training of peers, leadership or supervisory positions held in student organizations, advisory boards, and committees.)
- Up to 5 points are awarded according to the nominee’s campus involvement and volunteerism. (Full points are awarded if the nominee demonstrates active participation and involvement in campus recreation department as well as other campus and community opportunities and initiatives; volunteers willingly and exceeds expectations of responsibilities within their recreation program.)
- Up to 5 points are awarded according to the nominee’s promotion of recreational activities and recruitment/retention of a diverse student population into these events. (Full points are awarded if the nominee actively goes above and beyond their required scope of responsibilities within the recreation department to promote campus and community involvement for the recreation program with the goal of including, recruiting, and/or retaining a diverse student population, regularly and willingly volunteers for recreation department activities and makes a positive impact on participants.)
- Up to 10 points are awarded for the letter of recommendation. (Full points are awarded if the nominee is clearly outstanding, and the nominator reiterates the candidate’s exemplary participation in recreation, leadership, and educational activities.)
Award Recognition
Award recipients receive a plaque and are recognized at the annual conference, the NIRSA website, and in news releases. Additional plaques are available for purchase.
Previous Recipients
2024
Region I
- Schuyler Capozzoli, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Shannon Colbert, Towson University
- Chelsea Crane, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Chloe Kissinger, Millersville University
- Jessica Matheson, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Region II
- Lauren Ayres, James Madison University
- Elijah Dale, James Madison University
- Katelyn Gil, Georgia Southern University
- Lauren Shutt, James Madison University
- Abigail Townsend, James Madison University
- Grace Young, James Madison University
Region III
- Gabriella Fisette, Indiana University South Bend/University of Notre Dame
- Morgan Losey, Western Michigan University
- Nalani Lee Malackowski, University of Notre Dame
- Ben Miles, The Ohio State University
Region IV
- Justine Balconi-Lamica, The University of Texas at Arlington
- Emily Schneider, Texas A&M University
- Linden Settles, The University of Texas at Arlington
Region V
- Hayden Bavis, University of North Dakota
- Grace Charlesworth, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Ryan Larson, North Dakota State University
- Ciara Nelson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Region VI
- Tayllor Johns, Northern Arizona University
- Sarah Mebane, California State University, Bakersfield
- Oshiogwe Nash-Haruna, University of California Davis
- Ainsley Nommensen, California State University Bakersfield
- Lia Reznik, University of California Davis
Canadian Region
No nominations were received
2023
Region I
- Curtis J. Richall, University of Rhode Island
- Phoebe Kurniawan, University of Maryland
- James Davis, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Olay Ajayi, Cornell University
- Jake Novick, Towson University
- Kaylyn Carlucci, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Region II
- Tim Groth, James Madison University
- Shaina Reins, East Tennessee State University
- Delaney Carrick, James Madison University
- Chandler Bagwell, James Madison University
- William Burton, James Madison University
- Isabelle Flugrad, James Madison University
Region III
- Mattison Interian, University of Notre Dame
- Matilda Smolij, University of Cincinnati
Region IV
- Brittany Close, Oklahoma State University
- Isaac Estrada, Oklahoma State University
Region V
- Brynn Fuelberth, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Hattie Roberts, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Bethany Meyers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Sophia Thomas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Eric Gunderson, University of Minnesota Duluth
- Kinna Arp, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Region VI
- Sophia Pienta, UC Davis
- Olivia Badalamenti, UC Davis
- Rachel Vermeltfoort, University of Utah
- Jacob Parker, Seattle University
- Zachary Gaziano Smith, Seattle University
Canadian Region
- Lauryn Rogers, University of Windsor
2022
Region I
- Brooke Donald, Towson University
- Olivia Palmer, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Amin Purry, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Isabela Yepes, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Region II
- Spencer Cavan, James Madison University
- Erin Davis, James Madison University
- Eduardo Hernandez Escobar, Southern Miss Campus Recreation
- Burley Johnson, University of South Carolina Aiken
- Brittany Kaplan, James Madison University
- Andrew Sklavounos, James Madison University
Region III
- Quinn Erin Hogan, University of Notre Dame
- Cameron Johnson, Cleveland State University
- Dean Maloney, University of Notre Dame
- Aliyah Valdez, The Ohio State University
Region IV
- Alyssa Kerr, Oklahoma State University
- Clifford Richardson, Oklahoma State University
Region V
- Joe Hinnant, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Jason Johanek, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Kara Peightal, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Ethan Roeder, Minnesota State University Moorhead
- Brett Rowland, University of Northern Colorado
- Madeline Zitek, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Region VI
- Annie Breger, UC Davis
- Pierce C. Desmond, UC Davis Campus Recreation
- Kaylon Draney, The University of Utah
- JT (Jack-Thomas) Lee, University of California, Davis
2021
Region I
- Ashley Murphy, Towson University
- Eleanor VanVranken, University of Maryland
- Megan Callahan, University of Connecticut
- Eli Goldfarb, The University of Rhode Island
- Marissa Vittorio, University of New Haven
Region II
- Gracie Jones, James Madison University
- Kellee Nordstrom, UNC Greensboro
- Dylan Scott, James Madison University
- Gregory “BJ” Beckwith, James Madison University
- Abby Brocato, James Madison University
- LeAnne Davis, University of Mississippi
Region III
- Karen David, University of Dayton
Region V
- Michael Anderson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Kathrynne Nail, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Brock Priebe, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Rebeccah Stolpa, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Jennifer Beres, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- Alli Johnson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Region VI
- Ryan Coffee, University of California, Davis
- Brandon McWilliams, Seattle University
Canadian Region
- Ross Clausi, University of Western Ontario
2020
Region I
- Niletta Burton, Rider University
- Savannah Kirtley, Towson University
- Christian Montenegro, Cornell University
- CJ Rhan, Cornell University
Region II
- Corey Acord, West Virginia University
- Leah Bataille, James Madison University
- Hayley Robb, Western Kentucky University
- Jordan Robinson, University of Georgia
- Courtney Smith, UNC Greensboro
- Brian Tran, James Madison University
Region III
- Sarina Routowicz, Western Michigan University
- Elizabeth Stitzel, Loyola University Chicago
Region IV
- Anaelle Sure, Texas A&M University – Commerce
Region V
- Julie Johnson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Kenzi Johnson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Irvin Ramirez-Benavides, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Region VI
- Emma Federico, Seattle University
- Malia Nakamura, Seattle University
- Marine Vasseur, Seattle University
- Christina White, University of California, Davis
Canadian Region
- Kevin Wilson, University of Windsor
2019
Region I
- Sarah Grace, University of Maryland
- Ashleigh Jepson, University of Connecticut
- Maeve McKinney, University of Maryland
- De’Jha Pontoo, The University of Rhode Island
- Monique Rodriguez, University of Baltimore
- Jonathan Sanders, Boston College
Region II
- Marilyn Adams, University of Southern Mississippi
- Ian Dunbar, UNC Greensboro
- Emily Dyer, UNC Greensboro
- Katy Morgan, James Madison University
- Emily Murphy, James Madison University
- Katie Regan, James Madison University
Region III
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- Meghan Egierski, St. Mary’s College/University of Notre Dame
- Grace George, The Ohio State University
- Grace Templeman, University of Wisconsin–Madison
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Region IV
- Jenna Bothell, Sam Houston State University
- Ashlea Rosenbaum, Texas A&M University – Kingsville
- Rebecca Spencer, Angelo State University
- Anthony Villasana, Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Region V
- Victoria Davis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Sarah Heemstra, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- DeVanee Lasley, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Britton Lyon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Monica Rosiak, University of Iowa
- Megan Wynn, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Region VI
- Jeffrey Hares, Seattle University
- Theron Henderson, University of Utah
- Jordan Hunter, Washington State University
- Maddie Piper, Seattle University
- Martha Rubardt, Seattle University
Canadian Region
- Chelsea Jones, University of Regina
2018
Region I
- Mia Stewart, Cornell University
Region II
- Derrick Applewhite, Jr., North Carolina State University
- Malik Holmes, James Madison University
- Janna Jordan, Georgia Southern University
- Courtney McAdams, Western Kentucky University
- Nora Osei, James Madison University
- Amy Ross, James Madison University
Region III
- Eric Hildebrandt, University of Cincinnati
- Justine Morneau, Western Michigan University
- Erin Hoffert, Kent State University
- Courtney Styfurak, The University of Akron
Region IV
- Brandi Abercrombie, Oklahoma State University
- Madison Brown, Sam Houston State University
Region V
- Hannah Brown, University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Berkley Fierro, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Kaitlyn McCracken, South Dakota State University
- Nick Remmes, University of Iowa
- Taylor Sidore, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Ashley Zugschwert, The University of Iowa
Region VI
- Logan Cochran, Seattle University
- Kennedy Dresh, Seattle University
- Zoe Schrader, Seattle University
2017
Region I
- Alexis Charles, East Stroudsburg University
- Bailey Gasior, Stevenson University
- Molly Podosek, Rider University
- Pat Shank, West Chester University
- Lauren Taylor, University at Albany
Region II
- Kyle Jones, Florida State University
- Zach Kirkpatrick, James Madison University
- Gabrielle Ringenberg, Western Kentucky University
- Brandon Smith, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Will Trent, James Madison University
- Katelyn Voorhees, Clemson University
Region III
- Delaney Cherveny, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Matthew DeBaker, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Gabriela Perino, University of Notre Dame
- Caroline Popp, Purdue University
Region IV
- Michael Adeyemo, Angelo State University
- Natalie Janes, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
- Crystal Moody, Angelo State University
- Kari Whitmarsh, University of Texas at Austin
Region V
- Rebekah Connell, Colorado State University
- Renee Craft, University of Nebraska
- Brook McCluskey, University of Nebraska
- Melanie Rossetti, University of Nebraska
- Courtney Smith, University of Nebraska
Region VI
- Jordan Bishop, Washington State University
- Annabelle Forster, Seattle University
- Taylor Gale, Washington State University
- Ryan Holbrook, University of Utah
- Rachel Horras, Arizona State University
- Laura Noble, Oregon State University
2016
Region I
- Rustin McNiff, SUNY College at Brockport
- Megan Silvey, Boston College
- Sara Sturzo, University of New Hampshire
- Lindsey Bay, Mount St. Mary’s University
- Rachel Jones, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
- Annie Paguaga, Mount St. Mary’s University
Region II
- Hannah Houston, James Madison University
- Cybbi Barton, Western Kentucky University
- Yasmin Shahkarami, James Madison University
- Christopher Harpe, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
- Lane Embry, Western Kentucky University
- Jonathan Reed, University of Southern Mississippi
Region III
- Parker Anderson, The Ohio State University
- Krista Bonikowske, The Ohio State University
- Brandon Barnes, The University of Akron
- Meadow Jackson, University of Notre Dame
Region IV
- Tori Allmendinger, Oklahoma State University
- Jayna Evans, Sam Houston State University
- Carol Gibbon, Wichita State University
Region V
- Seth Hoscheit, Minnesota State University Mankato
- Tiffany Wieser, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Kelsey Appleby, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Jonathan Berger, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Seth Schafersman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Ashley Wylde, Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Region VI
- Arianna Warner, Portland State University
- Daniel Espinoza-Gonzalez, Seattle University
- Marisella Gonzalez, Arizona State University
- Rebekah Sanders, Seattle University
- Heather Higashi, Seattle University
- Dallas Jordan, University of California-Davis
2015
Region I
- Colin Allison, University of New Haven
- David Stewart, Towson University
- Daniel Dobrosielski, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Abigail Van Note, University of New Hampshire
Region II
- Kari Budnik, University of Central Florida
- Erica Estes, The University of Southern Mississippi
- Cody Bailey, James Madison University
- Ryan Fitzgerald, James Madison University
- Andrew Harris, University of Florida
- Amanda Stamper, James Madison University
Region III
- Steven Karasewski, Illinois State University
- Sarah DiStefano, Oakland University
- Cherise Mishler, Indiana University
- Jaclyn Paul, University of Notre Dame
- Jenna Payne, The University of Akron
- Shannon Prendergast, Loyola University Chicago
Region IV
- Jenny Speer-Wilder, Angelo State University
- Brianne Wilburn, Angelo State University
Region V
- Mitchell Allen, South Dakota State University
- Aaron Dueker, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Gabriel Ryland, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Cameron Binder, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Beth Broderick, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Jenna Grabinski, Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Jessica Stodola, Chadron State College
Region VI
- Yan Zhao, Seattle University
- Nikolas Hellenthal, Seattle University
- Shannon Miller, Seattle University
- Ishmael Pluton, University of California, Davis
- Christopher Rhode, Northern Arizona University
2014
Region I
- James Amarando, Drexel University
- Lauren Fleming, Mount St. Mary’s University
- Katherine Fallone, Providence College
- Sean Madgey, Mount St. Mary’s University
- Kaycee Tanioka, University of New Hampshire
Region II
- Bradley Burgess, James Madison University
- Jason Darby, James Madison University
- Megan Flosdorf, James Madison University
- Tyler Martin, The University of West Florida
- Jamie Mineart, University of Central Florida
- Lindsey Elise Racz, North Carolina State University
Region III
- Amanda Alpert, Central Michigan University
- Brianne Baranowski, Indiana University
- Emily Buelow, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
- Brooke Cochran, Ohio University
- Kirk Fallon, Illinois State University
- Tiffany Slabbekoorn, Oakland University
Region IV
- Caitlyn Carman, Lubbock Christian University
- Joe Duerksen, Angelo State University
- Jade Dworkin, University of Arkansas
- Nicole Swank, University of Arkansas
Region V
- Zachary Erdmann, Minnesota State University Mankato
- Derek Niewohner, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Gabriel Ryland, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Breanna Snyder, Colorado State University
- Liza Thalken, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Kelsey Whittaker, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Region VI
- Maxwell Cordier, Seattle University
- Jenny Eskander, Washington State University
- Benjamin Kohler, Seattle University
- Jacob Ostrow, Portland State University
- Emily Skeen, Portland State University
- Dominiqic Williams, California State University, Sacramento
2013
Region I
- Steven B. Kinsey Jr., Mount St. Mary’s University
- Jessica Orlowski, The College at Brockport
- Stacey Pacheco, Brown University
- Brooke Wertan, Drexel University
- Kayla Wroblesky, Drexel University
Region II
- A’Naja Bass, Georgia State University
- Daniel Burton, Western Kentucky University
- Erin Connolly, Florida Atlantic University
- Courtney Kraemer, University of Florida
- Benjamin Ramaeker, Western Kentucky University
- George “Trey” Smith, James Madison University
Region III
- Heather Hamilton Vogel, Indiana University
- Camille Huang, Indiana University
- Caullen Hudson, DePaul University
- Elizabeth Lampert, Indiana University
- Cayla McAvoy, Indiana University
- Stephanie Pleasant, Northern Illinois University
Region IV
- Robert Bostick, Louisiana State University
- Lauren Brown, Louisiana State University
- Taylor Geiger, Tulane University
- Jonathon Hager, The University of Texas at Austin
Region V
- Clayton Busby, South Dakota State University
- Justin J. Holman, University of Northern Iowa
- Tim Kinoshita, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Guillermo Mejia, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Frances Schoonveld, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Angela Wickard, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Region VI
- Mackenzie Bannister, Seattle University
- Christina M. Galli, Saint Mary’s College of California
- Katelen Phelan, Seattle University
- Joseph Purvis, Seattle University
- Tyler Roberds, University of Idaho
2012
Region I
- Beth Goldenberg, Rowan University
- Sara Hilghman, Temple University
- Steven Kinsey, Mount St. Mary’s University
- Ryan Townzen, Northeastern University
- Joseph Wilbur, The University of Rhode Island
Region II
- Kristy Cleveland, The University of Southern Mississippi
- Mark Comer, University of South Florida
- Marion Kandie, Western Kentucky University
- Keala Mason, James Madison University
- Taylor Moad, Western Kentucky University
- David Schofield, University of Florida
Region III
- Jeremy Butler, Illinois State University
- Michael Jacobson, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Brandon Johnson, Western Michigan University
- Emily Knight, DePaul University
- Ben Strunk, Ohio University
- Melissa Wolak, University of Michigan
Region IV
- Sarah Cunningham, Texas A&M University – Commerce
- Branden Farmer, Texas A&M University
- Jace Tenbrink, University of Kansas
Region V
- Joseph Hanseling, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Mallory Jordan, University of Northern Colorado
- Dakota Kenyon, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- Austin Ord, Colorado State University
- Ross J. Rastede, Nebraska Wesleyan University
- Christopher Rotty, Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Emily Simpson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Region VI
- Skyler Archibald, Washington State University
- Nathan Fanning, Seattle University
- Julie Mizraji, University of California, Davis
- Megan Sullivan, University of California, Davis
- Kyle Urban, University of California, Davis
- Chavalah Washington, University of Utah
2011
Region I
- Renee Daggett, Drexel University
- Michael P. Daley, University of New Haven
- Lauren Dalton, Drexel University
- Martin Khait, Drexel University
Region II
- Leisha Cavallaro, University of Central Florida
- Amanda Coale, James Madison University
- Krista Landon, Virginia Tech
- Stephanie Larson, James Madison University
- Bethany Maxfield, James Madison University
- Chelsea Phipps, East Carolina University
Region III
- Phyllis Allen, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Alan Beck, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Chelsie Hardcastle, Central Michigan University
- Justin Holman, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Region IV
- Dason Tucker, Texas Christian University
Region V
- Christopher Green, University of Northern Colorado
- Tony Kreitzer, University of Nebraska- Lincoln
- Jennifer Larkin, University of Nebraska- Lincoln
- Katie Taylor, University of Nebraska- Lincoln
- Ryan Wingers, University of Nebraska- Lincoln
Region VI
- Kristy Lee, Sonoma State University
- Michael Mojica, The University of Arizona
- William Piro, Seattle University
- Tyler J. Scudero, University of California, Davis
- Peter Kramer, Portland State University
For More Info
For more information about the William Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Awards, please contact the NIRSA Membership Services Coordinator, Megan Granholm.