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    • Home
    • About
      • About
      • Leadership
      • Past Presidents
      • Strategic Plan
      • Bylaws
      • Awards
    • Membership
      • Member Portal
      • Join Today
      • Get Involved
      • Member Referral
      • Kudos and Spotlights
      • SWAG
    • Annual Conference
    • College Fairs
      • College Fairs
      • Info for College Reps
      • College Fair Policies
    • Resources and Events
      • Resources + Events
      • Calendar
      • Job Postings
      • Scholarships & Grants
GPACAC
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Past Presidents
    • Strategic Plan
    • Bylaws
    • Awards
  • Membership
    • Member Portal
    • Join Today
    • Get Involved
    • Member Referral
    • Kudos and Spotlights
    • SWAG
  • Annual Conference
  • College Fairs
    • College Fairs
    • Info for College Reps
    • College Fair Policies
  • Resources and Events
    • Resources + Events
    • Calendar
    • Job Postings
    • Scholarships & Grants

Awards

Each year, GPACAC recognizes admission and counseling professionals who carry out the mission of our affiliate. 


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 demonstrated a long-term commitment to the profession (often spanning a decade or longer) through outstanding service to students, the admission and counseling field, and 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.

2026-2027 GPACAC Award Nominations

Nominate a colleague today! Nominations are reviewed annually by the Governance and Nominating Committee and award recipients are recognized at the GPACAC conference in April. Refer to the award descriptions on this webpage. Please read them carefully and select the award that best fits the person you are nominating.  


Award nominations for 26-27 will be open Fall 2026 and will be due February 15, 2027

Past Award Recipients

Our 2026 Award Winners:

(Pictured Left to right)

  • Maureen Lawler - retired
  • Karen Chen - Maureen Lawler Distinguished Service Award
  • Chloe Blue - Burge Spirit Award
  • Skyler Stefanski - Rising Star Award
  • Staci Pennington - Burge Spirit Award
  • Julie Markvicka - Burge Spirit Award (not pictured)

2026

2026

2026

The Maureen Lawler Distinguished Service Award (formerly Distinguished Service Award)

  • Karen Chen, Oklahoma State University (OK) 

Burge Spirit Award

  • Staci Pennington, University of Tulsa (OK)
  • Chloe Blue, Oklahoma State University (OK)
  • Julie Markvicka, Grand Island Senior High (NE)

Rising Star

  • Skyler Stefanski, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (NE)

2025

2026

2026

Distinguished Service Award

  • Amanda Booth, Wichita Collegiate School (KS)

Burge Spirit Award

  • Daniel Hartnett, Wayne State University (NE)
  • Logan Blunt, Wichita State University (OK)
  • Edyn Weber, Kansas State University (KS)

Rising Star Award

  • Tate Lovin, Kansas State University (KS)

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)

Complete List of Past Award Recipients

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