Awards
MCUCSA presents awards at the summer conference in recognition of members who have gone above and beyond in service to the organization. Awards are granted on a very selective basis, therefore, they are not necessarily awarded every year.
To nominate colleagues for an award, please complete the online nomination form.
Award Recipients
Distinguished Service Award
MCUCSA's highest honor. This award is given to a member who has made outstanding or unique contributions to MCUCSA and/or its regional or national affiliations.
2025 - William Baldus, Metropolitan State University
2024 - Jen Guyer-Wood, Macalester College
2023 - DeAnna Goddard, Winona State University
2022 - Sara Nagel Newberg, University of Minnesota - Career Services Administration
2019 - Paul Timmins, University of Minnesota - College of Liberal Arts
2018 - Lauren Kavan, Hamline University
2016 - Joyce Halverson, University of Minnesota - College of Liberal Arts
2014 - Michelle Schmitz, St. Cloud State University
2013 - Megan Rivera, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2011 - Sheila Risacher, Southwest Minnesota State University
2010 - Julie Westlund, University of Minnesota - Duluth
2009 - Pam Weller, Minnesota State University - Mankato
2008 - Janet Pribyl, University of Minnesota - Duluth
2007 - Vicki Decker, Winona State University
2006 - Mike Hendel, Carleton College
2005 - Pam Matti, University of Minnesota - Education
2004 - Ann Ness, Carleton College
2003 - Cynthia Favre, Gustavus Adolphus College
2002 - Carol Tremaine, Northwestern College
2001 - Pat Smith, St. Olaf College
2000 - Margie Giauque, Bemidji State University
1999 - Andy Ditlevson, St. Cloud State University
1998 - Ed Stubblefield, College of St. Benedict
1997 - Julie Westlund, University of Minnesota - Duluth
1996 - Steve Koller, University of St. Thomas
1995 - Gary Donovan, University of Minnesota - Morris
1993 - Paul Redin, Bethel University
1992 - Marilyn Hill, Carleton College
1991 - Walt Larson, St. Cloud State University
1990 - Frank Braun, University of Minnesota - College of Education and Human Development
Rookie Award
This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to MCUCSA during the initial three years of membership.
2025 - Lucas Vetsch, Hamline University
2025 - Rachel Nihart, Metropolitan State University
2024 - Alexis Persons, Minnesota State University - Mankato
2024 - Carolyn Catir, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2023 - Jessica Castellanos, Carleton College
2022 - Lorena Lane, University of Minnesota - Duluth
2021 - Violeta Lara, University of St. Thomas
2019 - Julie Maahs, Concordia College
2019 - Thando Kunene, St. Olaf College
2018 - Katie Breckner, St. Catherine University
2017 - Erin Chamlee, Carleton College
2016 - Susie Wold, St. Olaf College
2015 - Chrissy Francis, Hamline University
2014 - Whitney Moore, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2013 - Laura Lankton, University of St. Thomas
2012 - DeAnna Goddard, Winona State University
2011 - Kristin Underwood, Minnesota State University - Mankato
2010 - Sarah Wolfe, University of Minnesota - College of Education and Human Development
2009 - Kristen Walpole, Gustavus Adolphus College
2008 - Megan Rivera, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2007 - Michelle Schmitz, St. Cloud State University
2006 - Joyce Halverson, University of Minnesota - College of Liberal Arts
1998 - Janet Pribyl, University of Minnesota - Duluth
1996 - Lynn Johnson, Moorhead State University
1992 - Jeanne Exline, University of Minnesota
1992 - Kris Kincaid, St. Olaf College
1991 - Tammy Wheeler, Bethel University
Outstanding Committee Contribution Award
This award recognizes MCUCSA members who extend extraordinary effort as a committee member or committee leader in the work that is the driving force of MCUCSA.
2025 - Hailey Olson, St. Cloud State University
2024 - Angie Froistad, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2023 - Jill VanOsdol, Gustavus Adolphus College
2023 - Cindy Boe, Bemidji State University
2022 - Samantha Tiemens-Anderson, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2022 - Laura Heilman, University of Minnesota - College of Liberal Arts
Honorary Lifetime Membership
The award of an honorary lifetime membership in MCUCSA is extended to MCUCSA members who retire from the career development profession after ten or more years of membership in MCUCSA.
2025 - Angie Schmidt Whitney, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2025 - Sharon Heron, University of Minnesota
2025 - Terry Middendorf, Hamline University
2024 - Cynthia Favre, Gustavus Adolphus College
2024 - Pam Weller, Minnesota State University - Mankato
2024 - Michelle Schmitz, St. Cloud State University
2023 - Nancy Haugen, Bemidji State University
2022 - Janet Pribyl, University of Minnesota - Duluth
2022 - Maggie Kubak, University of Minnesota
2022 - Jennifer Rogers, University of St. Thomas
2021 - Margie Giauque, Bemidji State University
2020 - Joyce Halverson, University of Minnesota - College of Liberal Arts
2020 - Paul Strickland, University of St. Thomas
2020 - John Clarkson, St. John's University
2020 - Andy Ditlevson, St. Cloud State University
2020 - Matt Carlson, Minnesota State University - Mankato
2020 - Mary Harlander-Locke, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2020 - Dave Broza, Bethel University
2020 - Tina Wagner, St. Catherine University
2019 - Julie Westlund, University of Minnesota - Duluth
2019 - Bobbi Murphy, St. Cloud State University
2018 - Gary Donovan, University of Minnesota - Morris
2018 - Heidi Harlander, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2016 - Diane Crist, University of St. Thomas
2015 - Addie Habstritt Turkowski, St. Cloud State University
2015 - Ed Stubblefield, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2014 - Deenna Latus, Minnesota State University - Mankato
20-Year Member Award
This award recognizes MCUCSA members after twenty years of membership and dedication to the organization.
2024 - John Mountain, Macalester College
2024 - Sharon Heron, University of Minnesota - Career & Internship Services
2022 - Mary Anderson, College of St. Scholastica
2021 - Kirsten Cahoon, St. Olaf College
2021 - Nancy Haugen, Bemidji State University
2020 - Sara Nagel Newberg, University of Minnesota - Career Services Administration
2017 - Becky Hall, University of Minnesota - Career Services Administration
2015 - Heidi Harlander, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2015 - Janet Pribyl, University of Minnesota - Duluth
2014 - Pam Weller, Minnesota State University - Mankato
2013 - Sandy Tilton, Augsburg University
2013 - Jennifer Rogers, University of St. Thomas
2012 - Mary Harlander-Locke, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2010 - Terry Middendorf, Hamline University
2010 - Andy Ditlevson, St. Cloud State University
2009 - Cynthia Favre, Gustavus Aldolphus College
2008 - Vicki Decker, Winona State University
2007 - John Clarkson, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2007 - Ed Stubblefield, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2007 - Becky Durham, University of St. Thomas
2005 - Margie Giauque, Bemidji State University
2002 - Julie Westlund, University of Minnesota - Duluth
Past President Award
This award recognizes members who served as MCUCSA President.
2026 - Laura Hammond, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
2025 - Samantha Tiemens-Anderson, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2024 - Hailey Olson, St. Cloud State University
2023 - Amber Bieneck Thom, University of St. Thomas
2022 - Emily Reinert, University of Minnesota - Athletics
2021 - Jennifer Guyer-Wood, University of Minnesota - Humphrey School
2020 - Bill Baldus, Metropolitan State University
2019 - John Mountain, Macalester College
2018 - Whitney Moore, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2017 - DeAnna Goddard, Winona State University
2016 - Lauren Kavan, Hamline University
2015 - Joyce Halverson, University of Minnesota - College of Liberal Arts
2014 - Deenna Latus, Minnesota State University, Mankato
2013 - Megan Rivera, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2012 - Sheila Risacher, Southwest Minnesota State University
2011 - Michelle Schmitz, St. Cloud State University
2010 - Mark Sorenson-Wagner, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2009 - Jay Thorson, Concordia College Moorhead
2008 - Janet Pribyl, University of Minnesota - Duluth
2007 - Pam Weller, Minnesota State University - Mankato
2006 - Mike Hendel, Carleton College
2005 - Pam Matti, University of Minnesota - College of Education and Human Development
2004 - Margie Giauque, Bemidji State University
2003 - Ed Stubblefield, College of Saint Benedict
2002 - Sharon Kurt, University of Minnesota - College of Science and Engineering
2001 - Lynn Johnson, Moorhead State University
2000 - Vicki Decker, Winona State University
1999 - Pat Smith, St. Olaf College
1998 - Cynthia Favre, Gustavus Aldolphus College
1997 - Rich Murray, St. Cloud State University
1996 - Steve Koller, University of St. Thomas
1995 - Julie Westlund, University of Minnesota - Duluth
1992 - David Hendel, Minnesota State University - Mankato
1989 - Marilyn Hill, Carleton College
1988 - Walt Larson, St. Cloud State University
1987 - Gary Donovan, University of Minnesota - Morris
1986 - Barbara Rockwell
1985 - Chuck Kirby
1983 - Sister Mary Hicks
1982 - Mel Schmitz, Moorhead State University
1981 - Gary Donovan, University of Minnesota - Morris
1979 - Pat Olsson
This may not be a complete list of all award recipients dating back to the start of MCUCSA. Please email the MCUCSA Secretary with additions.