NAADA Individual Achievement Awards
View 2026 Award Winners & Past Award Winners
View Videos from the 2026 Awards
Nominate a Colleague for a 2027 NAADA Individual Award
Behind every successful program and initiative are the dedicated individuals who make it all possible. The NAADA Individual Awards recognize outstanding leaders, mentors, innovators, corporate partners, and philanthropists whose commitment strengthens our profession, advances alumni and development programs, and makes a lasting impact on their campuses and in their communities. Nominations for the 2027 NAADA Individual Awards open this fall (2026). This is your opportunity to recognize a colleague whose leadership, service, and achievements deserve to be celebrated. Recipients will be honored at the 2027 NAADA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. Take a few minutes to recognize someone who has inspired others and made a meaningful difference. Your nomination can help shine a well-deserved spotlight on their contributions and celebrate them with the entire NAADA community.
Above and Beyond Partner Award
2026 Recipient: Amie Imler, University of Florida IFAS and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Accepted by: Melissa Redden, University of Florida IFAS and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
The Above and Beyond Award honors a faculty or staff member from a NAADA member institution who, though outside of alumni, communications, development, or student services, demonstrates extraordinary partnership with these areas. This individual goes beyond their essential job functions, freely offering their time, expertise, and support to help colleagues succeed. By stepping outside the scope of their official responsibilities, they strengthen alumni engagement, enhance communications, advance fundraising, and enrich student services. Through their generosity, collaboration, and leadership, they inspire others and make a lasting impact on their institution.
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Corporate Partner Award
2026 Recipient: A. Wilbert’s Sons, Louisiana State University
Accepted by: Aimee Lemann, Louisiana State University
This award recognizes any company or private entity who has had a record of contributions and have through their gifts (financial, in-kind, and/or time) made a major contribution to research, teaching, and/or extension programs to one or more NAADA member institutions. A representative of the company or private entity is encouraged to be present at the national conference to receive the award.
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Founders Distinguished Service Award
2026 Recipient: Tom Looney, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, UT Institute of Agriculture
The Founders Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding service and dedication to the NAADA organization. This award is presented to an individual who is employed by a NAADA member institution at the time of nomination and has been actively participating in NAADA by taking a leadership role such as serving on the Board of Directors, chairing a committee, or hosting the annual conference.
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Front Line Award
2026 Recipient: Jane Dolder, University of Florida IFAS and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
This award is given to a person who is a program assistant or serves in a clerical support staff role in a NAADA member’s alumni, communications, development or student services office. The award recognizes an individual’s initiative, teamwork and ability to work effectively with the public, how they have advanced the programs or relationships within the college or unit, and strengthened their college’s relationships with alumni, friends, donors and/or students.
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Jane Longley-Cook Volunteer Service Award
2026 Recipient: Elizabeth Galbreath, Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
The Jane Longley-Cook Volunteer Service Award was created in recognition of Jane’s long-time support of NAADA as a volunteer and representing her alma mater, Cornell University. She volunteered her time and efforts to further the goals of NAADA on a national basis, served in leadership roles, was an officer in our organization and was an effective spokesperson for NAADA. Recipients are recognized for their service to NAADA.
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Ray A. Miller Professional Achievement Award
2026 Recipient: Tina Veal, University of Illinois
The Ray A. Miller Professional Achievement Award is given to recognize individuals for significant career activities and accomplishments, leadership activities in professional and community organizations, and other awards and recognitions. Individuals must be employed by a NAADA member institution with responsibilities for agricultural alumni, communications, development or student services. This award is in honor of Ray Miller. Ray was a beloved member of the NAADA family, having served a term as President, Conference Host and Historian. Ray was recognized for his work at The Ohio State University and NAADA in receiving the Professional Achievement Award (1994) and the Founder’s Distinguished Service Award (2003).
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Ruby C. McSwain Outstanding Philanthropist Award
2026 Recipients: Dona & Rodd Moesel, University of Oklahoma, Ferguson College of Agriculture
This award recognizes an individual or individuals with a record of sustained giving to support agriculture, agricultural higher education, Cooperative Extension, and/or land grant universities. It also recognizes the individual(s) role as an advocate for agriculture and natural resources and for their philanthropy in community organizations, religious institutions, art, environment and social services.
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Up and Coming Award
2026 Recipient: Lacey Gordon, Mississippi State University
Accepted by: Noah Berry, Mississippi State University
The Up and Coming Award honors individuals with 2 to 5 years of experience in the agricultural advancement professions of alumni relations, communications, development or student services. This award seeks to recognize the accomplishments of those whose early success is promising for future leadership and contributions to the member institution and/or NAADA.
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Volunteer Service Award
2026 Recipient: Patrick Duncanson, University of Minnesota-CFANS
The Volunteer Service Award is presented to an individual who has given freely of their time to further the goals of a NAADA member institution, and has demonstrated leadership and organizational skills that inspire and encourage others to further the success of the institution’s agriculture program as it relates to alumni relations, communications, development or student services.
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