GPACAC Awards
Rising Star Award – Awarded to a professional with no more than 5 years of experience who has made significant contributions to the organization, has demonstrated a commitment to professionalism, and shows GPACAC/NACAC leadership potential.
Distinguished Service Award – Awarded to an individual who has provided outstanding service to students, to the admission and counseling profession, and to the goals of the organization.
Burge Spirit Award – Awarded to a member whose enthusiasm and creativity have been an inspiration and contributes to the camaraderie of the association. This award originated in 2010 in honor of GPACAC Past-President David Burge.
GPACAC members, we encourage you to nominate a colleague for a GPACAC award. Nominations are reviewed annually by the Governance and Nominating Committee and award recipients are recognized at the GPACAC conference in April.
GPACAC Annual Award Recipients:
| 2021 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service Award |
Jennifer Fry |
College Matters Kansas |
| Distinguished Service Award |
Dana Blumbaugh |
Pittsburg State University |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
CJ Kracl |
University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Stephanie Berkhalter |
Washburn Rural High School |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Hannah Smith |
University of Tulsa |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Jerome Bennett |
Wichita State University |
| 2020 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service Award |
Annette Shamas |
Wichita Collegiate School |
| Distinguished Service Award |
Lisa Oliver |
Cascia Hall Preparatory School |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Jill Manning |
University of Oklahoma |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Sam Kiehl |
University of Oklahoma |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Megan Zorch |
Metro Christian Academy |
| 2019 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service Award |
Cathy Andrus |
Omaha Central High School, NE |
| Distinguished Service Award |
Chris Wiley |
Omaha North High School, NE |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Kathryn Lundgren |
Creighton University |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
James Powell |
Oklahoma State University |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Luke Miltz |
Baker University |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Kelsey Hanshaw |
Franklin Public Schools, NE |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Bryson Beck |
University of Oklahoma |
| 2018 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service Award |
Tom Hult |
Blue Valley Southwest High School, KS |
| Burge Spirit Award (Kansas) |
Amanda Booth |
Newman University, KS |
| Burge Spirit Award (Oklahoma) |
Morgan Brammer |
University of Oklahoma |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Georgia Drewes |
Newman University, KS |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Lyndsay Schoenhals |
Oklahoma State University |
| 2017 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Ronda Cooper |
Holland Hall, Oklahoma |
| Burge Spirit Award (Kansas) |
Elisha Satterfield |
Wichita State University |
| Burge Spirit Award (Oklahoma) |
Trey Moore |
University of Oklahoma |
| Burge Spirit Award (Nebraska) |
Carmen Hippen |
Millard West High School |
| Rising Star Award |
Tristen Black |
University of Oklahoma |
| 2016 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Barb Bruns |
St. Thomas Aquinas High School |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Shane Stover |
University of Nebraska-Omaha |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Abby Freeman |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Kayla Tupper |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Quinn Bowman |
Newman University |
| 2015 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Ann Herbener |
Papillion-La Vista High School |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Tara Lebar |
Blue Valley West High School |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Jason Rose |
University of Nebraska - Omaha |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Sabrina Wood |
Morrison Public School |
| 2014 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Vicki Schaeffer |
University of Oklahoma |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Lisa Clay |
Casady School |
| Rising Star |
Susie Dumond |
University of Tulsa |
| 2013 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Barbara Adkins |
University of Tulsa |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Paul Max |
Regis University |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Meghan Neels |
University of Tulsa |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Brad Green |
University of Nebraska - Kearney |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Annie Tompkins |
Bishop Ward High School |
| 2012 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Eileen Kenney |
Tulsa Community College |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Tom Hult |
Blue Valley Southwest High School |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Casey Reed |
University of Tulsa |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Lamar Womble |
University of Nebraska-Omaha |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Lacey Koester |
University of Kansas |
| 2011 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
John Corso |
University of Tulsa |
| Burge Spirit Award |
Karen Chen |
University of Tulsa |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Carissa Cummins |
University of Oklahoma |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Genea Bruner |
Olathe Northwest High School |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Shane Stover |
University of Nebraska - Kearney |
| 2010 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Debi Hudson |
St. Teresa's Academy, MO |
| Burge Spirit Award |
David Burge |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Matt Huber |
Doane College, NE |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Elisha Krapshaw |
University of Kansas |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Stephanie Hodge |
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma |
| 2009 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Maureen Lawler |
Bishop Kelly High School, OK |
| Burge Spirit Award |
David Burge |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Loel Schettler |
Millard North High School, Omaha, NE |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Kathryn Shepherd |
Wichita State University, KS |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Karen Chen |
University of Tulsa |
| 2008 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Bridget Gramling |
William Jewell College, MO |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Heath Christiansen |
Peru State University, NE |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Washburn University |
Washburn, KS |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Andrew Weimer |
Drury University, MO |
| 2006 |
|
|
| Rising Star |
Jen Green |
University of Kansas |
| 2005 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Linc Morris |
University of Nebraska - Omaha |
| Rising Star |
Michelle Lockhart |
Avila University |
| 2003 |
|
|
| Award of Special Recognition |
Anna Milligan |
Holland Hall School, OK |
| Rising Star (Nebraska) |
Micki Willis |
Peru State University, NE |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Loralee Stevens |
Johnson County CC, KS |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Tasha Casey |
Oklahoma |
| 2002 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
April Hansen |
Washburn University, KS |
| Distinguished Service |
Paul Max |
Regis University, CO |
| Rising Star: (Nebraska) |
Jana Burns |
Nebraska |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Keith Elmore |
Blue Valley High School, KS |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Eileen Kenney |
Oklahoma State University, OK |
| 2001 |
|
|
| Distinguished Service |
Kathleen Housh |
Jenks High School, OK |
| Rising Star: (Nebraska) |
Kyla Johnson |
Nebraska |
| Rising Star (Kansas) |
Jim Allen |
Kansas |
| Rising Star (Oklahoma) |
Chellie Cook |
Oklahoma |
|
