Richard D. Blackburn New Professional Award

The Richard D. Blackburn New Professional Award honors an emerging leader in the profession for their energy and involvement in advancing campus community. The recipient receives a $400 cash prize to celebrate their commitment and allow for additional networking with peers, continued career growth, and professional development.

2024 Recipient: Amanda Griffiths, University of Tennessee

Whether supervising undergraduate students, creating a more just and inclusive campus through her work establishing and managing the Interfaith meditation space, or spending countless hours advising the university dance program, Amanda Griffiths’s commitment to serve others is consistently significant.

Nominations for this award are now closed. The nomination period for awards given at the 2026 Annual Conference will open in April 2025.

Submission materials must include the following:

Name, institution, and contact information of the nominee.
Name, institution, and contact information of the nominator.
Two to three letters in support of the applicant to receive the award written by individuals such as direct supervisors/advisors, peers/colleagues, students, faculty members, etc., addressing:
- The achievements of the nominee in the profession.
- The demonstrated commitment of the nominee to the criteria identified for this specific award.
- A summary of the nominee’s background to provide evidence that they meet the criteria identified for this specific award, including information related to professional experience and volunteer service—providing a current resume or curriculum vitae for the nominee is optional.

The review process includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the criteria listed below.

Achievement in student activities or college union management
Demonstrated enhancement of the college union ideal
Service to the Association

Professionals with one to five years of experience in the profession at an ACUI member institution are eligible for this award.

Electronic notification will be sent to confirm award submissions have been received. A confidential Individuals Awards and Scholarships Committee, appointed annually by the ACUI president, will review materials to make the selection. One recipient will be chosen, unless otherwise noted for the specific award. One physical award will be given to the recipient, who will be recognized during the awards ceremony at the annual conference and in subsequent publications.

2023: Abby Pieger, Bentley University
2022: Andrea Giachino, Temple University
2021: Matthew DeCarlo, Stony Brook University
2020: Edi Kuhn – Marquette University
2019: Shane Farmer – Furman University
2018: William Takewell – University of Kentucky
2017: Mara Dahlgren – Indiana University–Bloomington
2016: Morgan Meehan – The Ohio State University
2015: Kim Kruchen – University of Colorado
2014: Kim Pho – University of Notre Dame
2013: Daniel Gray – University of Houston
2012: Jody Poth – The Ohio State University
2011: Kristen Salo – University of Colorado
2010: Jason Cruz – University of Southern California
2009: Filip Pongratz – Temple University
2008: Jim Fawcett – University of Houston

2007: Tari Hunter Wimbley – Indiana University-Bloomington
2006: Tamara Yakaboski – University of Arizona
2005: Heather Owen – Purdue University
2004: Zane Reif – University of North Carolina-Charlotte
2004: Kimberly Timpani – Clemson University
2003: Susan Pile – University of Michigan
2003: Joseph Gutowski – Case Western Reserve University
2002: Paul Sutera – Rice University
2001: Keith Kowalka – University of Houston
2000: Melinda Griffith – University of Arizona
1999: Cedric Howard – Weber State University
1998: Sallie Tchang – California State University-Los Angeles
1997: Ann-Marie Algier – University of Rochester
1996: Sarah Aikman – Kansas State University

About Richard Blackburn

Blackburn served ACUI in numerous leadership positions, including president in 1968-1969 and executive director from 1982-1991. Throughout his career, which included serving as the director of the union on three college campuses, he demonstrated continuous commitment to the development of student leaders and to new professionals.

His support and encouragement of individuals is felt today through the leadership of college union and student activities administrators everywhere who had the privilege of working with him in the early stages of their careers. His influence on and encouragement of new professionals is reflected in this award, given annually to an individual who demonstrates the potential for excellence in the field of college union and student activities work.