Awards
Each year, GPACAC recognizes admission and counseling professionals who carry out the mission of our affiliate. Make it your January resolution to nominate a colleague! The deadline is March 1st but do not wait! Your submissions are valued.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2025-2026 GPACAC Award Nominations
Thank you for taking the time to nominate a colleague for one of our GPACAC awards! Refer to the award descriptions on this webpage. Please read them carefully and select the award that best fits the person you are nominating.
Nominations due March 1st
Past Award Recipients
Our 2025 Award Winners:
(Pictured Left to right)
- Amanda Booth (Wichita Collegiate School) - Distinguished Service Award
- Daniel Hartnett (Wayne State University) - Burge Spirit Award
- Logan Blunt - (Wichita State University) - Burge Spirit Award
- Eden Weber (Kansas State University) - Burge Spirit Award
- Tate Lovin (Kansas State University) - Rising Star Award
2024
2024
2024
Distinguished Service Award
- Rick Fernandez, Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OK)
Burge Spirit Award
- Jason Stockbridge, Missouri Southern State University (MO)
- Autumn Bennett, Wichita State University (KS)
Rising Star
- Cade Shaw, University of Oklahoma (OK)
2023
2024
2024
Distinguished Service Award
- Brent Casey, Holland Hall (OK)
Burge Spirit Award
- Courtney Hallenbeck, Kansas State University (KS)
- Stacey Evert, Creighton Preparatory School (NE)
Rising Star
- Staci Pennington, The University of Tulsa (OK)
2022
2022
2022
Distinguished Service Award
- Bill Motzer - Nebraska Wesleyan University (NE)
Burge Spirit Award
- Kristle Lacy - University of Tulsa (OK)
- Katie Cameron - Benson High School (NE)
- Sasha Kuchinski - Wichita Collegiate School (KS)
Rising Star
- Geoff Louvar - Newman University (KS)
- Kala Sellers - Oklahoma State University (OK)
2021
2022
2022
Distinguished Service Award
- Dana Blumbaugh - Pittsburg State University (KS)
- Jennifer Fry - College Matters (KS)
Burge Spirit Award
- Jerome Bennett - Wichita State University (KS)
Rising Star
- Hannah Smith - University of Tulsa (OK)
- Stephanie Berkhalter - Washburn Rural High School (KS)
- Cecilia "CJ" Kracl - University of Nebraska-Lincoln (NE)