ACUI Announces Award Recipients at 2026 Annual Conference
ACUI’s 2026 awards and scholarship recipients are being announced throughout the Annual Conference, March 8–12. Please congratulate recipients for their achievement and thank them for serving as models of leadership and innovation to advance our work as community builders in higher education.
2026 Award Recipients
DISTINGUISHED AWARDS
- Butts-Whiting Award: Michael Coleman, Wake Technical Community College
- Emeritus Award: Luke Altendorf, Texas A&M University; Boyd Beckwith, Georgia State University; Sue Burket, James Madison University; Tim Hogan, North Carolina State University; Marcia Gerwig, Carnegie Mellon University; Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, University of Maryland; Mitch Kilcrease, Florida State University; Paula McNeel, Lamar University; Jeff Stebar, Perkins&Will
- Honorary Lifetime Membership: Lincoln Johnson, University of Washington
- Legacy Leader Awards: Susan Canady, University of Maryland; Jeni Eltink, University of Minnesota–Duluth; Jeff Pelletier, The Ohio State University
- Presidential Award for Distinguished Service: Erin Morrell, Albertus Magnus College, and Liz Stringer, ACUI Central Office
CAMPUS AWARDS
- Collaborative Program of the Year: Tulane University, The Longest Table: Bringing Community TUgether
- Excellence in Innovations in Sustainability: Portland Community College, Basic Needs, Sustainability, & Leadership
- Excellence in Student Training Programs: University of Rochester, The Medallion Leadership Program
- Outstanding Service Project of the Year: University of Houston, MVP Service Nights (Metropolitan Volunteer Program)
- Shirley Bird Perry Staff-Driven Program of the Year: James Madison University, Secret Supper Club
- Student-Driven Program of the Year: Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Agoraponics Farms
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
- ACUI Values Award: Sarah Comstock, University of Puget Sound; Kyle Foss, University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
- Distinguished Faculty Award: Dr. Catherine “Cathy” Horn, University of Houston
- Excellence in Volunteer Service Award: Antonio Talamo, Montclair State University; Michael Wigg, University of Westminster
- President of the Year Award: Dr. Jennifer Cowley, University of Texas–Arlington
- Richard D. Blackburn New Professional Award: Emily Inserra, Montclair State University
SCHOLARSHIPS
- Adell McMillian Scholarship: Bridget Portier, University of Houston
- C. Richard Scott Memorial Scholarship: Ben Howard, Western Carolina University
- Chuck Morrell New Professional IPDS Scholarship: Darrek Harshberger, PennWest
- Edward S. “Beanie” Drake Founders’ Award: Adam Burden, University of North Carolina–Charlotte
- Greer Dawson Wilson Scholarship: Melissa Iracheta, University of Houston
- Manny Cunard Scholarship: Brant Sheldon Barber, North Carolina Central University
- Meg Sutton I-LEAD® Scholarship: Dani Allen, University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
WRITING AND RESEARCH AWARDS
- Daniel M. Maxwell Dissertation of the Year Award: Caitlyn Wine, Georgia Tech
- Earl Whitfield Regional Outreach Award: Region VI
FACILITY DESIGN AWARDS
- Student Union Project Under $25 Million: KSS Architects and Connecticut College, Crozier-Williams Campus Center
- Student Union Project Between $25 Million and $55 Million: ikon.5 Architects and Rowan University, Chamberlain Student Center
- Student Union Project Over $55 Million: Shepley Bulfinch and Lehigh University, Clayton University Center
Steal this Idea
- Best in Show: FallFest 2025 Social Media Campaign, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Find a listing and gallery of all winning entries online.
