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.
2026 Recipient: Lincoln Johnson, University of Washington
Lincoln Johnson will retire as associate vice president for student life at the University of Washington, a role held since 2015. For the prior 20 years, Johnson served as director of Husky Union Building. During his career, Johnson made an impact on the Association. In addition to his term as president from 2008–2009, Johnson served on the Board of Trustees as an at-large member, the Future of the Brand Task Force, and the Education and Research Fund, as well as on both the former Region 6 and Region 14 Leadership Teams. Nominators said that Johnson’s “superpower” is “developing and nurturing relationships.” He “cares deeply” for others,” “genuinely cares” about students, and has an “unwavering ability to listen and be completely present.” Johnson’s legacy will continue beyond his time working in the field or volunteering for the Association through a planned gift to the Education and Research Fund that will help ACUI continue to support the growth of its members.
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.