SPA has two alumni awards in recognition of the vast contributions our alumni make to the field of higher education: the Maude A. Stewart Award and the Emerging Professional Award.

Maude A. Stewart Award

Dr. Maude Stewart served as the Director of the Student Personnel Assistantship program from 1954-1967. During her tenure, she was responsible for developing the character and national reputation of the SPA program. In the tradition begun by Dr. Stewart, recipients of this award demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, or innovation in the profession of Higher Education and Student Affairs. Their contributions may be in teaching, practice, or professional organizations

Past Winners

• 1988 Maude Stewart 
• 1989 Arnold Spokane  
• 1990 Robert Rodgers  
• 1991 Mikell O’Donnell  
• 1992 Lynn Willet  
• 1993 Michael Patton 
• 1994 Marcia Baxter Magolda 
• 1995 Len Goldberg 
• 1996 Frances Giles Madrey  
• 1997 Lex Smith  
• 1998 Kathryn Moore 
• 1999 Greg Blimling 
• 2000 Theresa Powell 
• 2001 John Halstead 
• 2002 Mac Stewart 
• 2003 Terry Piper 
• 2004 Mabel G. Freeman 
• 2005 Peter Magolda 
• 2006 Joanne Burrows 
• 2007 Anna Ortiz 
• 2008 Judy L. Rodgers 
• 2009 John Noftsinger 
• 2010 Don Stenta 
• 2011 Penny Rue 
• 2012 Florence A. Hamrick 
• 2013 Ginger Ambler 
• 2014 D-L Stewart 
• 2015 Elisa Abes 
• 2016 Elizabeth Wiser 
• 2017 Joy Gaston Gayles 
• 2018 Monroe France 
• 2019 Peter Magolda 
• 2020 Merrily S. Dunn 
• 2021 Margaret Sallee 
• 2022 Elizabeth Allan
• 2023 Theresa Powell

Emerging Professional Award

This award’s inauguration coincided with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the SPA program and honors individuals who demonstrate potential for significant contribution to the field of higher education and embody the values and philosophy of the HESA and SPA programs. 

Nominees for this award must be a graduate of The Ohio State Higher Education and Student Affairs M.A. program., have no more than five years of professional work and/or advanced studies since completion of Master’s degree (at time of nomination), and demonstrate Potential for significant contribution to the field of higher education in one or more of the following areas: administration, teaching, research, publication, service, and/or leadership in professional organizations. Contributions might be at the campus, local, state, regional, national, or international levels.

Past Winners

• 1998 & 1999 Joelle Davis, Vicki Cawley, and Frank Shushock 
• 2000 Ellen E. Kauffman 
• 2001 Dell Hagan 
• 2002 Bridget Williams Golden 
• 2003 Matt Couch 
• 2004 Monroe France 
• 2005 Ryan Poirer 
• 2006 Jeff Pelletier and Kate Porubcansky 
• 2007 Jennifer Pelletier 
• 2008 Margaret Sallee and Sarah Brackmann 
• 2009 Kristy Brischke and P. Timothy Valentine 
• 2010 Brian McGowan 
• 2011 Savannah Heilman 
• 2012 Adrian Huerta 
• 2013 Virgina Ambler and Melissa Rocco 
• 2014 Joel Pettigrew 
• 2015 Sam Al-Khoury and Justin Samuel 
• 2016 Jillian Baer and Rachel Foltz 
• 2017 Gadise Regassa 
• 2018 Caleb Craft 
• 2019 Faith Miller 
• 2020 Ryan Vilfer 
• 2021 Madeline Azari 
• 2022 Clayton Peck
• 2023 Marcell Crawford Jr.