Presidential Award for Distinguished Service

The Presidential Award for Distinguished Service is presented at the discretion of the ACUI President to honor an individual who has demonstrated exceptional and unique service in fulfilling the mission, goals, and values of the Association.

Through the award, the individual is recognized for dedication to volunteering, encouraging staff to participate in ACUI programs, and advancing the work of ACUI through their contributions.

2026 Recipients: Erin Morrell, Albertus Magnus College,
and Liz Stringer, ACUI Central Office

“Throughout my career, one of the many things that I’ve appreciated about ACUI is that it is an international association,” Crone said. I believe the ability for college union professionals in the U.S. to connect and engage with counterparts throughout the U.K., Ireland, and Canada is incredibly valuable—especially now when it seems international relations are being strained more than ever. Our global connections through ACUI are so precious.”

Following the implementation of ACUI’s partnership with NUS Charity, adding more than 100 new member institutes to the ACUI community, Morrell and Stringer led a unique onboarding campaign for NUS. This included recruiting and training more than 50 volunteers, crafting rich content and messaging, and ensuring that NUS members had a warm welcome to ACUI.

“It’s my privilege to present the 2026 ACUI Presidential Award to two individuals who significantly strengthened our international profile,” Crone said.

Erin Morrell
Erin Morrell
Liz Stringer
Liz Stringer

In considering eligible candidates, a President may take into account the volunteer contributions of an individual or individuals that occurred during their tenure as President-Elect and/or President of the Association. The President has the option, if they choose, to not present the award during their term of office. An individual is not required to hold a defined volunteer position to be considered for this award.

The process for selecting an awardee is at the discretion of the President, who is encouraged but not required to seek input from the Executive Committee.

  • If the president chooses not to give the award, they must notify the Executive Committee of this decision by January 31.
  • If choosing to present the award, the president shall make a selection by January 31 and notify the Executive Committee that the award will be presented and to whom the award is being given.

One physical award will be given to the recipient, who will be recognized during the annual conference and in subsequent publications.

  • 2024: Sarah Comstock, University of Puget Sound; Wendy Denman, University of North Texas
  • 2023: Sarah Aikman, Northern Kentucky University
  • 2022: Elizabeth Beltramini, ACUI; Geoff Combs, University of Massachusetts–Boston
  • 2020: Deepti Chadee, Texas Christian University
  • 2019: Anthony Otero, Rutgers University
  • 2018: Sarah Comstock, University of Puget Sound
  • 2016: Patrick Connelly, Landmark College; and Mark Guthier, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • 2015: Ben Williams, Miami University
  • 2014: Brenda Evans, University of Massachusetts–Lowell; Jeremy Schenk, Virginia Commonwealth University; Cynthia Woolbright, Woolbright Group
  • 2001: Caryl Stern-LaRosa, Anti-Defamation League
  • 2000: Bill Hellams, Video Producers
  • 1999: Peter DeLisle, seminar facilitator
  • 1996: Eric Conn, American Honda Campus All-Star Challenge
  • 1994: Gail Anderson Cywinski, Normandale Community College; Pat Moonen, University of Arizona
  • 1992: Elizabeth Wright, Tuskegee University
  • 1991: Michael Freeman, University College London Students’ Union
  • 1989: Jerry Mock, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • 1988: Meg O’Sullivan, SUNY–Health Science Center at Brooklyn