Annually Given for SDASFAA Service and Leadership

Awards and Recognitions

Recognizing SDASFAA members for their contributions to the association.

Years of Service to SDASFAA

History of Award

Begins at 10 (ten) and every 5 (five) year increments thereafter. This award occurs within the year that the SDASFAA member is in the recognition year. This began in 1995 upon the SDASFAA Silver Anniversary. Example: in 1997 individuals who began in 1987, 1982, 1977, etc., are recognized.

Purpose of Award

To recognize the members’ years in service.

Recipients

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Ann Emerson

University of South Dakota
10 Year

Valerie Solano

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
10 Year

Carissa Koerner

University of Sioux Falls
10 Year

Kari Neal

University of South Dakota
15 Year

Jill Corbin

Dakota State University
15 Year

Jon Muhs

Southeast Technical College
20 Year

Linda Shumaker

University of South Dakota
20 Year

Kim Nida

Dakota State University
15 Year

Lance Hill

Bank of North Dakota
25 Year

Douglas Steckler Professional Development Award

History of Award

Established by the SDASFAA Executive Council May 26, 1992 in remembrance of Doug Steckler, the first SDASFAA President who died April 22, 1992 at age 69. Although as early as 1966, Doug had led the effort to establish a professional association in South Dakota for those involved in financial aid administration, the organization was not officially formed until September 29, 1970.

Purpose of Award

To recognize one member for service to the association. The Douglas Steckler Professional Development Award will be presented at the annual meeting by the Recognition Committee from nominations solicited from the membership-at-large. It will include a plaque and a $100 voucher to be used for professional development at the recipient’s discretion during the following year.

Recipients

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Deb Henriksen

Dakota Wesleyan University
1993

Monte Nipp

Northern State University
1994

David Martin

Black Hills State University
1995

Lisa Isakson

SLFC
1996

Ken Kocer

Mt. Marty College
1997

Brenda Schmidt

Presentation College
1998

Monica Gannon

National American University
1999

Renee Leach

Augustana College
2000

Rosie Jamison

Dakota State University
2001

Clarence Shoemaker

USD
2002

Marlene Seeklander

EAC
2003

Pam Lane

Northern State University
2004

Mary Anne Whitman

EAC
2005

Starla Russell

Western Dakota Tech
2006

Laura Olson

University of Sioux Falls
2007

Emily Studenski

Augustana College
2008

Becky Pribyl

Northern State University
2009

Cindy Swinson

SDSU
2010

Sharon Martin

Western Dakota Tech
2011

Denise Grayson

Dakota Wesleyan University
2012

Kristy O’Kief

Dakota Wesleyan University
2013

Erin Richards

SDSMT
2014

Marlene Seeklander

Lake Area Tech
2015

Katie Nelson

Black Hills State University
2016

Kim Nida

Black Hills State University
2017

Melinda Fedeler

Dakota State University
2018

Carissa Koerner

University of Sioux Falls
2019

Melissa Simpson

Black Hills State University
2020

Beth Vollan

South Dakota State University
2021

Hayli De Jong

South Dakota State University
2022

Outstanding Service Award

History of Award

Established by the SDASFAA Executive Council in 1994.

Purpose of Award

To recognize a member for service to the association over a considerable time through professional contributions and leadership. Awarded to one member annually who is nominated from the membership-at-large. The final selection will be made by the Executive Council by secret ballot. If no one is nominated by the membership, the Executive Council may select the recipient.

Recipients

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Gene Linton

Augustana College
1994

Donna Johnson

First Bank
1995

John Gritts

Black Hills State University
1996

Deb Henriksen

Dakota Wesleyan University
1997

Grant Uecker

Mitchell Technical Institute
1998

Brenda Murtha

Augustana College
1999

Todd Otterberg

SD Army National Guard
2000

Peggy Kuck

EAC
2001

Sharon Kienow

Northern State University
2002

Cody McMichael

Black Hills State University
2003

Rosie Jamison

Dakota State University
2004

Clarence Shoemaker

USD
2005

Clark Wold

EAC
2006

Jay Larson

South Dakota State University
2007

David Martin

SDSM&T
2008

Cindy Swinson

South Dakota State University
2009

Mary Anne Whitman

Presentation College
2010

Carolyn Halgerson

Kilian Community College
2011

Starla Russell

Western Dakota Tech
2012

Becky Pribyl

Northern State University
2013

Ken Kocer

Mount Marty College
2014

Monica Gannon

National American University
2015

Kristy O’Kief

Western Dakota Tech
2016

Paula Carlson

Great Lakes Higher Education Corp
2017

Marlene Seeklander

Lake Area Technical Institute
2018

Micah Hansen

Southeast Technical College
2019

Carrie Jordanger

Lake Area Technical College
2020

Cathy Mueller

Mapping Your Future
2021

Carissa Koerner

University of Sioux Falls
2022

Retirement Award

Purpose of Award

These are given in recognition of dedicated service and personal contributions made to SDASFAA and the financial aid profession by individuals who served in leadership positions in the organization.

Recipients

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Carmen Neugebauer

University of South Dakota
10 Year

Ken Kocer

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
10 Year

Marlene Seeklander

University of Sioux Falls
10 Year

Brad Riebel

University of South Dakota
15 Year

Paula Carlson

Dakota State University
15 Year

Spring Conference Award Ceremony

Click below to open the PDF files for more information.

2023 SDASFAA Awards Ceremony
2022 SDASFAA Awards Ceremony

Recognition Committee General Information and Guidelines

Outstanding Service Award

Membership to the Executive Council. If no one is nominated by the Membership, then the Recognition Committee will solicit nominations and Executive Council will make a selection.

Douglas Steckler Professional Development Award

Membership to the Recognition Committee (The preceding are to have nominations from the Membership. If none, then the Executive Council and/or the Recognition Committee is to select the recipients.)

Committee of the Year

Selected by the President of the year being recognized.

Outgoing Executive Council Members

For recognition of service to all council members that are no longer on the board.

Committee Chairs

For recognition of service as chair of a SDASFAA standing or sub-committee.

*Additional awards of any type are at the discretion of the President of the year of recognition.