Honorary membership is conferred by the Board of Trustees on those individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to ACUI. Honorary members are granted all rights and privileges as defined by the ACUI Constitution, with the added privilege that their annual dues will be waived and that their annual conference registration fee will be reduced.
Normally reserved for those retiring from the profession, on appropriate occasions, it may be awarded to non-union personnel whose efforts have served to enhance the Association and the college union idea, or to a professional who has rendered exceptional service but has left the profession in pursuit of other careers.
Nominations for this award are now closed. The nomination period for awards given at the 2026 Annual Conference will open in April 2025.
2024 Recipient: Dave Barnes
Colleagues describe Dave Barnes as a joy to work with, a person who always sees the glass half full. Barnes retired in June after more than 30 years as the director at James Madison University. Barnes saw himself a steward of his facility during his career, focused on creating a better future. This is true of his time with ACUI as well. Barnes provided his leadership and stewardship through his roles as president, at-large Board of Trustees member, Education and Research Fund Team member, Conference Program Team member, and more. Barnes received the Butts-Whiting Awards in 2020.
2024 Recipient: matt Cameron
Matt Cameron retired in August of last year; he served for more than 36 years at Santa Clara University, most recently as assistant vice provost. Colleagues appreciate Cameron’s ability to problem solve; he can analyze any situation and assist in finding a path forward. Cameron brought his leadership skills to ACUI, serving as ACUI president, 1997 Conference Program Team chair, and Region 15 director, among other roles. Cameron received the Butts-Whiting Award in 2006.
2024 Recipient: Debra Hammond
Debra Hammond’s impact at California State University–Northridge can be found through facilities she brought to life to better serve students, including the Pride Center and Veterans Resource Center. She will retire in December after more than 30 years at the campus. Hammond’s impact can also be found right here at ACUI. She served through roles on the Board of Trustees, including president, and imperative working groups, as a leader of the Multi-Ethnic Professionals and Allies Community, and as mentor to many. Hammond received the Butts-Whiting Award in 2002 and Legacy Leader Award in 2022.
2024 Recipient: LANITA LEGAN
Lanita Legan will retire in May after more than 40 years in the field, most recently as the associate director at Texas State University. Her career is marked by her dedication to students and commitment to creating an environment for their success. Legan also worked for the success of ACUI; in fact, one of her nominators said that “her heart bleeds ACUI.” Among her ACUI volunteer roles, Legan was director of former Regions 5 and 12 and is currently a member of the Education Council.
Honorary membership provides a complimentary membership to recipients that provides access to retiree-level benefits plus one subscription to the printed Bulletin. Honorary members are eligible to receive retiree pricing for events and other benefits while retired or employed outside higher education. Those actively employed within higher education (even if previously employed or working outside the field) are not eligible for retiree pricing for events. These individuals would need to register at the prevailing member (or nonmember) fee based on the campus’s institutional membership. Despite employment status, honorary members will continue to receive other retiree benefits.