ACUI Awards Distinguished Honors During Conference in Pittsburgh
ACUI bestowed several Distinguished Honors during the 2026 Annual Conference in Pittsburgh. A full list of all awards presented as part of the 2026 Annual Conference may be found here.
Butts-Whiting Award
The purpose of the Butts-Whiting Award is to recognize and honor outstanding leaders in ACUI who have made significant contributions to the college union and student activities movement and whose accomplishments and careers are a credit to ACUI.
Michael Coleman, associate vice president at Wake Technical Community College, was announced as the 2026 Butts-Whiting Award recipient. Coleman has a long history of volunteerism in the Association, starting with positions with the former Regions 6 and 3. Prior to his presidential term from 2018–19, Coleman was an at-large member on the Board of Trustees. He has also served as the leader of the Multi-Ethnic Professionals and Allies Community (COMP) and Technology Community, as well as on the Online Engagement Team, 100th Anniversary Celebration Task Force, and Naming ACUI Awards and Honors Working Group.
In his professional career, Coleman worked at Florida State University, Georgia Tech, New York University, and Tallahassee State College, among others, prior to Wake Technical Community College, where he started as the dean of student support in 2020 before being promoted to his associate vice president role in 2025.
Coleman’s nominators described him as a “true champion of the college union’s mission,” “a leader of genuine character,” and “a true servant leader.” A full press release and presentation video will soon be available.
Honorary Lifetime Membership
Honorary Lifetime Membership is conferred by the Board of Trustees to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service.
Lincoln Johnson, University of Washington, will retire as associate vice president for student life, 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 2008–09, 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.
Emeritus Award
Emeritus Awards are presented by the Board of Trustees to professionals for leadership and dedication to serving students and advancing campus community. This year, ACUI awarded this honor to nine individuals. You may find recipient acceptance videos online.
Luke Altendorf worked in the profession for more than 40 years, with most of his career spent as the director of the Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M University. Altendorf will retire from the university as the director of strategic collaborations for student affairs. Throughout his career, Altendorf served ACUI in various roles with the former Region 12 and two terms on the Education and Research Fund Program Team. Nominators spoke to Altendorf’s “authentic investment” in those around him, his humor and supportiveness, and even his magic act.
After more than 35 years in the profession, Boyd Beckwith will retire from Georgia State University as assistant vice president for student life. Throughout his career, Beckwith also worked within student centers and student life at Indiana University–Southeast, Georgia Tech, University of Arizona, and Rice University. Beckwith served as the former Region 12 director from 2003–05. Additionally, he held communications roles with both Region 12 and current Region III and was the Urban Unions Community of Practice leader.
Sue Burket dedicated much of her career to James Madison University, serving as assistant director of event management since 2004.
Tim Hogan will retire after more than 30 years in the field. Hogan worked at Ohio University and Georgia State University prior to joining North Carolina State University in 2011 as operations director. Since 2013, he has served as the director of the University Student Centers. During his career, Hogan gave back to ACUI through roles with the former Region 7 and current Region III, as well as the Volunteer Development Team. Nominators described Hogan as a “steadfast champion” and “visionary leader.”
Marcia Gerwig spent her entire career at Carnegie Mellon University, serving as the director of the Student Center since it opened in 1996. She saw the building through multiple renovations and major projects. Gerwig shared the benefits of ACUI with colleagues, encouraging them to partake in professional development opportunities. Nominators describe Gerwig’s career as “extensive and impactful” and her legacy as “professionalism, composure, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence.”
Masha Guenzler-Stevens served as the director of the Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland for more than 30 years. Colleagues describe Guenzler-Stevens as “active and passionate” when it comes to her work and serving the campus community.
Mitch Kilcrease worked in the profession for more than 30 years, most recently as the assistant vice president, office of business services at Florida State University. Kilcrease also worked at Oklahoma State University, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and Oshkosh, and Washburn University during his career. He served on the former Region 8 Leadership Team.
Paula McNeel will retire as the assistant director at Lamar University after more than 20 years of service.
Jeff Stebar served as a principal at Perkins&Will for more than 20 years. During his career, Stebar worked on more than 60 student union projects. He is an avid supporter of ACUI, helping to ensure his company remained connected to the Association and presenting more than 30 times at Annual and Regional Conferences and contributing to The Bulletin.
Luke Altendorf
Boyd Beckwith
Sue Burket
Tim Hogan
Marcia Gerwig
Masha Guenzler-Stevens
Mitch Kilcrease
Paula McNeel
Jeff Stebar
Legacy Leader Awards
Legacy Leaders recognize individuals who have served as leaders within the college union profession and have dedicated themselves to advancing campus community building, as acknowledged by fellow ACUI members.
Susan Canady
Susan Canady, University of Maryland, has served both the profession and ACUI dating back to her first job in student affairs at University of Indianapolis. Over the last 28 years, Canady has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues. Her commitment and passion for ACUI is well known. She most recently served as the 2025 Annual Conference Program Team Chair in New York City. In the past, Canady had roles with her region, the Volunteer Development Team, and the Education and Research Fund Team. She was recognized with the ACUI Region 9 Distinguished Service Award.
One of Susan’s champions shared: “As New York Conference Program Team chair, Susan really shined. She put together a group of volunteers who were strangers and created a well-oiled team. Susan had a vision for the conference and for her team and worked tirelessly to make this vision come to life.”
In her professional roles, Canady has exemplified the heart of the college union profession—a commitment to community, learning, and flawless execution in all she oversees. She quietly leads with a dedication and genuine passion for the work. Those around her feel included and drawn to support her.
Watch the presentation of Canady’s award online.
Jeni Eltink
Jeni Eltink, University of Minnesota–Duluth, is the epitome of profession. She started her student affairs journey in residence life at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, but since 2012, she has served as the director of the Kirby Student Center at the University of Minnesota–Duluth. She built a culture centered on collaboration, student development, and equity. Her leadership has a ripple effect; it reaches far beyond her campus and into the lives of countless professionals who have been mentored, encouraged, or simply uplifted by her.
For ACUI, Eltink has served in roles with the Women’s Leadership Institute, 2016 Conference Program Team, Region V, and Education Council. Frequently an educational session presenter, she delights in sharing her knowledge and perspectives with other colleagues on a variety of subject matter.
One of Jeni’s champions writes: “I am honored to be able to call Jeni a mentor, a role that I know she has played for many people in our field over the span of her career. Jeni gives off warmth and genuine care and concern for students and colleagues. She is reliable, modest about her accomplishments, and generally fun to be around.”
Watch the presentation of Eltink’s award online.
Jeff Pelletier
Jeff Pelletier, The Ohio State University, has held numerous volunteer roles with ACUI over the years, starting as a graduate intern at the 2004 Annual Conference. He has served as president and at-large board member, as well as on the Education Council, Education and Research Fund, and Clay Targets Working Group. Pelletier is a consistent contributor to ACUI over the years, is a member of the Leadership Society level of lifetime giving, and achieved a Student Affairs Educator Certification with a specialization in college unions.
One of his champions writes: “Jeff is truly a legend in ACUI. One look at his Association resume demonstrates the absolute commitment he has shown to his colleagues and the field. Jeff has consistently maintained not just his involvement in the Association, but also served as one of the true faces of ACUI.”
Pelletier’s professional career has been equally impressive, spanning more than 24 years at Ohio State. Though his position is rooted in facilities management, Pelletier is recognized on his campus as an expert in student development and relations. As a dedicated advisor and national officer for Delta Tau Delta fraternity, he has mentored countless young men and provided them with a role model for professionalism, authenticity, and healthy masculinity.
Watch the presentation of Pelletier’s award online.
Presidential Award for Distinguished Service
The Presidential Award for Distinguished Service is presented at the discretion of the ACUI President to honor those who have demonstrated exceptional and unique service in fulfilling the mission, goals, and values of the Association. This year, ACUI President Ian Crone presented this award to Erin Morrell, assistant vice president for student affairs at Albertus Magnus College, and Liz Stringer, director of outreach at the 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
Liz Stringer
