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Recognizing Our Finest Efforts
MCPA Honors our 2007 Award Recipients

T.Todd Masman, Bemidji State University

Lud Spolyar Distinguished Service Award

 Carlos D. Sneed, Hamline University

Linda Schrempp Alberg Outstanding Contribution to Minnesota Higher Education Award

Tasia Tigue, University of St. Thomas

New Professional of the Year Award

Mary Ann Ryan, University of St. Thomas

Women Who Build Buildings: Women’s Experiences in Constructing Student-Focused Space on University Campuses

Lee Knefelkamp Research Award

Meaghan Stein, University of Minnesota

Implementing Positive Psychology to Promote Student Success

MCPA Outstanding Conference Program Award

Century College GPS LifePlan

Innovations in Student Development Award

Congratulations to all 2007 award recipients!

MCPA Awards

Each year members of the Minnesota College Personnel Association have the opportunity to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of their peers through the presentation of awards of distinction. Our colleagues have contributed so successfully to both their on campus environments and directly with students. Many of those same individuals have also given of themselves to their chosen profession in higher education. Within our ambitious work with students and colleagues, MCPA members strive to be purposeful, open, just, disciplined, caring and celebrative. It is in this spirit that MCPA annually recognizes the many contributions of its members.

As a member of MCPA, you are invited and encouraged to nominate your colleagues who have exhibited outstanding service and achieved stellar accomplishment with your students, your campus and our profession. In addition, programs that highlight new innovations make an impact on one’s campus and bring about fresh perspectives and insights are sought for recognition.

Nomination and Selection Process

Each MCPA award is listed below with its respective criteria.  With the exception of the Linda Schrempp Alberg Outstanding Contribution to Minnesota Higher Education Award and retirement awards, only current MCPA members.  Non-members may be considered for the award if they join MCPA by the time their applications/nominations are submitted. All nomination materials will be considered and awards determined by the awards selection committee as set forth in the MCPA Constitution , Article III, Section 6. 

Completed nominations are solicited each fall (usually with a September deadline) and include: a) Nominee name, title, institution and contact information; b) Nominator name, title, institution and contact information; c) Award for which nominee will be considered; d) Letter(s) of support addressing award criteria. The Innovations in Student Development Award must also include the name of the program and persons involved in its design and implementation. Nomination materials should be submitted electronically via email attachment to Jennifer Guyer-Wood .

Award Presentations

All award recipients were recognized and presented their awards at the MCPA Fall Conference .

AWARDS INFORMATION

Applications/Nominations for the following awards are accepted:

Lud Spolyar Distinguished Service Award

As the most prestigious association award, this award recognizes a current or past MCPA member for outstanding service to the Association, the student affairs profession, or in representing Minnesota at the national level (i.e., ACPA Commission Chair, Board Member, etc.). Nominations should include a summary of the nominee's professional and service accomplishments as well as a statement of support, which should be limited to four pages. Additional letters of support from others are welcome.

Linda Schrempp Alberg Outstanding Contribution to Minnesota Higher Education Award

In 1997, the Minnesota Contribution Award was renamed to honor Linda Schrempp Alberg, MCPA's president from 1983-84. The purpose of this award is to honor a professional whose work with students and service at one of Minnesota's institutions of higher education sets an example for all student development professionals. This award recognizes a practicing student affairs professional or a professional retired from a Minnesota institution of higher education. Nominations should include a summary of the nominee's professional and service accomplishments as well as a statement of support, which should be limited to four pages. Additional letters of support from others are welcomed.

New Professional of the Year Award

This award recognizes an ambitious and dedicated new student development professional. Nominees would have provided outstanding service to her or his institution, and/or have provided innovative or creative programs and services. For this award, a new professional is defined as having 1-3 years in the field and a minimum of one year on a college campus. A letter of nomination and a current copy of the nominee's resume must be included in the nomination packet.

Innovations in Student Development Award

This "best practices" award is designed to facilitate the sharing of new ideas and show appreciation for the work of our colleagues. The program must meet the following: 1) is an implemented strategy or campus program that is timely to the profession or provides a new or creative approach to a student development or campus issue, and 2) have an impact on the presenter's campus. A letter of nomination/description along with supportive documentation of the program (publicity, design, evaluations, etc.) should be included in the nomination materials. The recipient of this award will be asked to present at the 2006 MCPA Fall Conference.

Lee Knefelkamp Research Award

This award encourages and supports student development and student affairs research done by professionals, practitioners, graduate students, and faculty. This award is made possible by contributions from Dr. Lee Knefelkamp and additional financial support from MCPA.

Criteria: 1) Research must be completed within the past year, currently in progress, or planned for the near future. 2) Research should show evidence of adhering to scholarly research standards, methods, and analysis. Preference will be given to research involving data collection and analysis. 3) Proposals should promote further understanding of student development and/or investigate or enhance the impact of student affairs/services on campus. Recipient will have the opportunity to share their research with colleagues by presenting at the 2007 MCPA Fall Conference or by submitting an article to the newsletter. Additional recognition will be a monetary award.

Retirement Awards

All retiring professionals will be honored at the MCPA conference. If you are aware of MCPA members or student affairs professionals at your institution who are retiring within the year or have retired within the past year, please notify the Awards Committee prior to the fall conference. Submit a copy of the retiree's resume and other pertinent information about the retiree you wish to be shared.

  MCPA AWARD RECIPIENTS

Please note there were certain years that awards were not given due to lack of nominations or qualified candidates.

Lud Spolyar Award for Distinguished Service
(Began in 1978 - Renamed in 1998)

Innovations in Student Development Award
(Began in 1986)

Lee Knefelkamp Research Award
(Began in 1990)

Linda Schrempp Alberg Award for Outstanding Contribution to MN Higher Education
(Began in 1994 - Renamed 1997)

Outstanding Conference Program Award
(Began in 1996)

New Professional of the Year Award

Retirement Award