Awardees
Committee of the Year | Creative Leadership | Distinguished Service | Honorary Lifetime Achievement | Honorary Membership | Lifetime Membership | Meritorious Service | Meritorious Achievement | NASFAA Leadership | Outstanding New Professional | Outstanding New Volunteer | President's Citation | President's Special | President's Special Years of Service | WASFAA Special Recognition
Nomination Form
Committee of the Year
| 2024 | Volunteer Development Chair: Heather Rosinbum, University of Arizona |
| 2023 | State Presidents Group Co-Chairs: Ashley Salisbury and John Bender State Presidents: Kelly O'Brien, Arizona; Martika Hubbard, Alaska; Bronwyn Garrison, California; Laura Hughes, Idaho; Mayra Moore, Nevada; Lois DeGhetto, Oregon; Kolby Santiago, Pacific Islands; Lynette Splinter, Washington |
| 2022 | IDEEA Committee Chair: Christina Tangalakis Members: Greg Kerr, Leonard Walker, Nicole McMillin, Dewayne Barnes, Nancy Grant, Jannine Oyama Training Committee Chair: Aurie Cliffors Members: Shawn Domingo, Anthony Morrone, Ashley Munro, Thalassa Naylor, Deborah O'Dea, Anafe Robinson, Annakate Williams, Daniel Lemus, Nicole McMillin, Holly Peters, Christina Tangalakis |
| 2021 | Rebekah Hoppel Salcedo Leadership Development Program Chair: Kay Soltis Members: Sarah Everitt, Nicole McMillin, Jannine Oyama, Shawn Domingo, Ashley Munro, Greg Kerr, Laura Hughes, Pat Hurley, JW Lazzari, G. Michael Johnson, Anafe Robinson, Christina Tangalakis, Abril Hunt, Pat Peppin |
| 2020 | Electronic Services Chair: John Bender Members: Mindy Bergeron, Ashley Coleman, David Downing, Phil LeBlanc, Ashley Salisbury, Spencer Smith |
| 2019 | Membership Committee Chair: Ashley Coleman, University of Oregon |
| 2018 | 2016-17 Sister Dale Brown Summer Institute Ashley Munro, Chairperson, University of Alaska, Fairbanks |
| 2017 | Communications Committee David Downing, Chair, Washington State University |
| 2016 | Federal Relations Committee Tami Sato, Co-Chair, Marshall B. Ketchum University & Beryl Schantz, Co-Chair, CSU - Sacramento |
| 2015 | Training Susan Shogren, Co-Chair, USA Funds & Nicole McMillin, Co-Chair, College of Western Idaho |
| 2014 | Research Steve Herndon, Chair |
| 2013 | Strategic Planning Kay Soltis, Chair |
| 2012 | Membership Abril Hunt, Chair |
| 2011 | Federal Relations Kevin Jensen, Chair - College of Western Idaho |
| 2010 | Newsletter Tracey Lehman, Chair |
| 2009 | Training Cynthia Pollard, Co-Chair & Susan Shogren, Co-Chair |
| 2008 | Site Selection Leonard Walker, Chair |
| 2007 | Jerry R Sims Management and Leadership Institute Sandy Guidry, Co-Chair & Don Black, Co-Chair |
| 2006 | Training Francie Campbell & Bert Logan, Co-Chairs Volunteer Development Catherine King-Todd, Chair |
| 2005 | Strategic Planning Steve Herndon & Tami Sato, Co-Chairs |
| 2004 | Training Don Black, Chair |
| 2004 | Fund Development David Allen & Judy Saling-Field, Co-Chairs |
| 2003 | Fiscal Planning Chair - David Allen, Multnomah Bible College |
| 2003 | Conference Committee Co-Chairs: Mary S. San Agustin, Palomar College; Eric Nemoto, Chaminade University & Ken Souza, Educaid/First Union |
| 2002 | Federal Relations - Tami Sato |
| 2001 | Advanced Summer Institute - Mary San Agustin, Chair |
| 2001 | Electronic Services - Peter Miller |
| 2000 | Fund Development - Sun Ow/Kay W. Soltis |
| 1999 | Technology - Les Ishimoto |
| 1998 | Newsletter - Mary San Agustin/Sun Ow |
| 1998 | Ethnic Diversity - Wendy Baker |
| 1997 | Training & Professional Development - Greg Ball |
| 1996 | Summer Institute - Julie Yeager Arthur |
| 1994 | Professional Development - Mary Beth Rayant & Pat Robles-Friebert |
| 1993 | Newsletter - Fred Carter |
| 1992 | Ethnic Diversity - Youlonda Copeland-Morgan |
| 1991 | Fund Development - Terry Hadfield |
| 1990 | Publications - Judy Belanger/Gloria Knapp |
| 1989 | Federal Relations - Gene Miller |
| 1988 | Unknown |
| 1987 | Unknown |
| 1986 | Conference - David Levy & Georgette DeVeres |
| 1985 | Publications - Ray Shoemaker |
Creative Leadership1
| 2019 | Sun Ow - BankMobile |
| 1993 | Julie Yeager Arthur - College of the Redwoods |
| 1992 | Kathy Street - Whittier College |
| 1991 | Kate Dosil - Arizona State University |
| 1990 | Jeff Baker - San Francisco State University |
Distinguished Service
Presented to recognize the outstanding contribution of an individual to the field of financial aid through research, scholarship, and/or contributions to the association's activities. It is not intended to recognize the efforts of officers within WASFAA for those efforts alone. The recipient does not have to be a WASFAA member.
| 2024 | Ryan West - Chemeketa Community College |
| 2023 | Ashley Coleman - Oregon State University Shawn Domingo - Ohlone College |
| 2022 | Nicole McMillin - Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine John (JW) Lazzari - Western Nevada College |
| 2021 | Ashley Salisbury - University of Nevada Reno |
| 2020 | Ashley Munro - University of Alaska, Fairbanks |
| 2019 | G. Michael Johnson - Columbia Gorge Community College |
| 2018 | Kimberly Wells - U.S. Department of Education |
| 2016 | Bruce Honer - Department of Education Jack Edwards - Stanford Graduate School of Business |
| 2015 | Frank Green - Travel Institute of the Pacific Bradley Honious - Posthumously |
| 2014 | Adam Hatch - Hawaii Pacific University Vicki Shipley - National Council of Higher Education Resources (NCHER) |
| 2013 | Ron Lee - USA Funds Sun Ow - Great Lakes Higher Education Nichole Doering - Razzle Dazzle College, Inc. |
| 2012 | Lorraine Teniya - USA Funds |
| 2011 | Colleen MacDonald - Simple Tuition Peter Miller - Truckee Meadows Community College |
| 2010 | Tami Sato - Southern California College of Optometry Bert Logan - Lane Community College |
| 2009 | Catherine King-Todd - Thunderbird School of Global Management Sandra Guidry - University of Nevada - Reno |
| 2008 | Vicki Shipley - National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs |
| 2007 | Steve Herndon - CSU Bakersfield |
| 2006 | Kathleen Campbell - Chemeketa Community College Wendy Olson - Whitworth College |
| 2005 | Tracy Reisinger - University of Portland |
| 2004 | Genevieve Watson - Phoenix College |
| 2003 | Douglas Severs - Idaho State University |
| 2002 | Ted Malone - University of Alaska - Anchorage |
| 2001 | Youlanda Copeland-Morgan - Harvey Mudd College Susan Murphy - University of San Francisco |
| 2000 | Sister Dale Brown - University of San Diego |
| 1999 | Rick Weems - University of Alaska, Anchorage |
| 1998 | Dan Davenport - University of Idaho |
| 1997 | John Anderson - Cal Poly, San Lius Opispo |
| 1996 | Julie Yeager Arthur - College of the Redwoods |
| 1996 | Paul Phillips - CSU, San Marcos |
| 1996 | Greg Ball - Antelope Valley College |
| 1995 | Bill Moran - Department of Education |
| 1994 | Don Ryan - San Jose State University |
| 1992 | Ralph Alvarez - Chase Manhattan Bank |
| 1991 | Dorothy Sexton - College Board |
| 1990 | David Levy** - California Institute of Technology |
| 1990 | Georgette Deveres** - Claremont McKenna College |
| 1989 | Dan Lau - Department of Education |
| 1988 | Richard E. Coward, Sr. - unknown |
| 1987 | Judie Crummel - Department of Education |
| 1986 | Richard E. Pahre - Oregon State University |
| 1986 | Kathleen Little - UC Santa Cruz |
| 1985 | Lola Finch - Washington State University |
| 1984 | Merle Lange - Glendate Community College, AZ |
| 1984 | Ruth Burns - Oregon State Scholarship Commission |
| 1983 | James Moore - Department of Education |
| 1983 | Mark Hatfield - Senator |
| 1982 | Gene Miller - Pasadena City College |
| 1981 | Unknown |
| 1980 | Ruth Neve - CSU, Northridge |
| 1980 | Robert Huff - Stanford University |
| 1971 | Edward Sanders - unknown Richard Tombaugh* - NASFAA Paul Simon* - Senator James O'Hara* - unknown Dallas Martin* - NASFAA Edith Green* - Congresswoman Summer Gambee* - CSU Chancellor's Office |
*Awards were made, but records do not include the date
**Awarded to David and Georgette for their contributions as a team
**Awarded to David and Georgette for their contributions as a team
Honorary Lifetime Achievement
(awarded posthumously)
| 2019 | Rebekah Salcedo - University of Arizona - Tucson |
| 2013 | Carl Dalstrom - USA Funds |
| 2004 | Edward Kennedy - US Senate |
| 2003 | Patsy T. Mink - U.S. House of Representatives |
| 2002 | Howard "Buck" McKeon - US House of Representatives |
| 2002 | Dallas Martin - NASFAA |
| 2000 | Larry Gladieux - The College Board |
| 1998 | Jeff Baker - Department of Education |
| 1996 | William Ford - US House of Representatives |
| 1996 | Paul Simon - US Senate |
| 1996 | Clairborne Pell - US Senate |
| 1996 | Mark O. Hatfield - US Senate |
| 1994 | Linda Brown Thompson - Private Citizen |
| 1994 | Cheryl Brown Smith - Private Citizen |
Lifetime Membership
Presented to an individual who has made continued and significant contributions to the financial aid profession and WASFAA.
| 2024 | Anafe Robinson - Pierce College |
| 2022 | Bert Logan - Portland Community College |
| 2021 | G. Michael Johnson - Washington State University, Portland State University, Pacific University, Clark College, NELA, and Columbia Gorge Community College |
| 2020 | Ron Lee - Sun Ow - Financial Aid Consultant Andy Promsiri - University of California, Los Angeles Leonard Walker, Jr - University of Nevada, Reno |
| 2019 | Ted Malone - Financial Aid Services Jack Edwards - University of South Carolina, Aiken |
| 2018 | Mindy Bergeron - John F. Kennedy University |
| 2017 | Frank Green - Travel Institute of the Pacific Kathleen Campbell - Chemeketa Community College |
| 2016 | Wendy Olson - Whitworth University |
| 2015 | Catherine King-Todd - Thunderbird School of Global Management |
| 2014 | Sandi Guidry - University of Nevada - Reno Kate Peterson - Oregon State University - Corvallis, OR Kay Soltis - Pacific Lutheran University |
| 2013 | Doug Severs - Oregon State University - Corvallis, OR |
| 2012 | Tami Sato - Southern California College of Optometry |
| 2011 | Steve Herndon - CSU Bakersfield |
| 2010 | Bill Boyd - San Diego State University Patricia Hurley - Glendale Community College |
| 2008 | James White - Seattle University Dallas Martin - NASFAA |
| 2007 | Marianna Deeken - US Department of Education |
| 2006 | Nancee Langley - University of Nevada, Reno David Allen - Multnomah Bible College |
| 2005 | John Anderson - Cal Poly Julie Arthur - US Department of Education |
| 2004 | Susan Murphy - University of San Francisco |
| 2004 | Rick Weems - University of Alaska - Anchorage |
| 2003 | Sister Dale Brown - University of San Diego |
| 2003 | Addalou Davis - University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law |
| 2003 | Willie Jones - Compton Community College |
| 2001 | Paul Phillips - CSU, San Marcos |
| 2000 | Jerry Sims - Retired |
| 2000 | Ray Steiner - Scottsdale Community College |
| 1998 | Dan Messersmith - Mohave Community College |
| 1997 | Don Ryan - San Jose State University |
| 1996 | Richard E. "Dick" Pahre - Oregon State University |
| 1995 | Nina Pruneda - Department of Education |
| 1995 | Robert Huff - Stanford University |
| 1995 | Judie Crummel - Department of Education |
| 1994 | Patricia Stewart-Harris - Cal State University, Los Angeles |
| 1994 | Lola Finch - Washington State University |
| 1993 | Annabelle Fong - University of Hawaii, Manoa |
| 1992 | Gene Miller - Pasadena City College |
Meritorious Service2
| 1996 | Fred Carter - US Bank |
| 1995 | John Anderson - Portland State University |
| 1994 | Jerry Sims - Art Center College of Design |
| 1994 | Thalassa Morton-Naylor - Wells Fargo |
| 1994 | Betty Larkin - Linfield College |
| 1994 | Pegge Calvert-Aguilar - Citibank |
Meritorious Achievement3
Designed to be given to a person or persons who have made significant efforts to advance the awareness and understanding of the aid profession through new outreach programs, legislative action or significant support of association activities.
| 2024 | Jannine Oyama- University of Hawaii Community College System |
| 2023 | Aurie Clifford - Pima Community College Daniel Carlos - University of Idaho |
| 2022 | Laura Hughes - Lewis-Clark State College Anthony Morrone - Nevada State College |
| 2021 | Art Young - University of Arizona - Tucson |
| 2020 | John Bender III - Lewis-Clark State College |
| 2019 | Helen Faith - Lane Community College |
| 2018 | Patricia Peppin - Mesa Community College Tami Sato - Marshall B. Ketchum University |
| 2017 | Ashley Munro - University of Alaska, Fairbanks Shawn Domingo - Chaminade University of Honolulu |
| 2016 | Kevin Jensen - SUNY (formerly College of Western Idaho) |
| 2015 | Jack Edwards - Stanford Graduate School of Business Mindy Bergeron - JFK University |
| 2013 | Patricia Hurley - Glendale Community College |
| 2012 | Wendy Olson - Whitworth University |
| 2011 | Susan Shogren - USA Funds Andy Promsiri - UC Los Angeles |
| 2009 | Leonard Walker - University of Nevada - Reno |
| 2008 | Renee Davis - Truckee Meadows Community College Steve Herndon - CSU Bakersfield |
| 2007 | Frank Green - Travel Institute of the Pacific Jack Mills - Claremont Graduate School Peter Miller - Truckee Meadows Community College |
| 2006 | Don Black - Nelnet |
| 2005 | Catherine King-Todd - Thunderbird -The Garvin School of International Management Kate Peterson - Oregon State University |
| 2004 | Kate Bligh - Nellie Mae |
| 2004 | Leonard Walker - University of Nevada - Reno |
| 2003 | Barbara Alm - Boise State University |
| 2003 | James White - Seattle University |
| 2002 | Judith Lewis-Logue - University of San Diego |
| 2002 | George Urdzik - Sonoma State University |
| 2002 | Mona Concha-Buckheart - Truckee Meadows Community College |
| 2001 | Kay Soltis - Pacific Lutheran University |
| 2001 | G. Michael Johnson - Pacific University |
| 2000 | Andy Promsiri - UCLA |
| 1999 | Constance Alexander - Southern Oregon University |
| 1998 | Starla Harris - Chela Financial, Inc. |
| 1997 | Nancy Coolidge - UC, Office of the President |
NASFAA Regional Leadership Award4
Award Year listed - Presented at the next year's conference
| 2022 | Sun Ow - Consultant | |
| 2021 | Ashley Munro - University of Alaska, Fairbanks | |
| 2020 | Kim Wells - US Department of Education | |
| 2019 | Frank Green - Hawaii | |
| 2018 | Kathleen Campbell - Oregon | |
| 2017 | Mindy Bergeron - John F. Kennedy University | |
| 2016 | Wendy Olson - Whitworth University | |
| 2015 | Sandi Guidry - University of Nevada, Reno | |
| 2014 | Kay Soltis - Pacific Lutheran University | |
| 2013 | Patricia Hurley - Glendale Community College | |
| 2012 | Tami Sato - Southern California College of Optometry | |
| 2011 | Jim White - Gonzaga University | |
| 2010 | Marianna Deeken - Department of Education | |
| 2009 | Steve Herndon - CSU - Bakersfield | |
| 2008 | Doug Severs - Idaho State University | |
| 2007 | Kate Peterson - Oregon State University | |
| 2006 | Catherine King-Todd - Thunderbird - The American Graduate School of International Management | |
| 2005 | Youlanda Copeland-Morgan - Harvey Mudd College | |
| 2004 | Sister Dale Brown - University of San Diego | |
| 2003 | Addalou Davis - University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law | |
| 2002 | Ted Malone - University of Alaska Anchorage | |
| 2001 | Dan Davenport - University of Idaho | |
| 2000 | Jerry Sims - Art Center College of Design | |
| 1999 | Rick Weems - University of Alaska, Anchorage | |
| 1998 | Susan Murphy - University of San Francisco | |
| 1997 | David Levy - California Polytechnical University | |
| 1996 | Michael Alexander - EduServe | |
| 1995 | Dan W. Messersmith - Mohave Community College | |
| 1994 | Jeff Baker - San Francisco State University | |
| 1993 | Georgette DeVeres - Claremont McKenna College | |
| 1992 | Paul Phillips - CSU, San Marcos | |
| 1991 | Lola Finch - Washington State University | |
| 1990 | Robert Huff - Stanford University | |
| 1989 | Gene Miller - Pasadena City College |
Outstanding New Professional
To recognize the outstanding contribution of a new professional to the financial aid profession. The recipient must have been in the profession for less than five years and made outstanding contributions at the institutional, state, regional and/or national levels. The recipient must be a current member of WASFAA
| 2022 | Nodia Rogers - Gonzaga University |
| 2020 | Elizabeth Nubel - University of Nevada, Reno Gabriel Stephens - Boise State University |
| 2019 | David Donderewicz - Pima Community College |
| 2018 | Geoffrey Green - University of Nevada, Reno Elijah Herr - Lane Community College |
| 2016 | Jenna Greenwood - University of Oregon |
| 2015 | Ashley Coleman - University of Oregon |
| 2014 | Diana Dowling - Yavapai College |
| 2012 | Zack Duffy - University of Oregon |
| 2011 | Kilohana Miller - University of Hawaii, Maui College |
| 2010 | Nichole Doering - Scot Lewis Schools - Paul Mitchell Partner School Ashley Munro - University of Alaska - Fairbanks |
| 2008 | Luhui Whitebear - Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde |
Outstanding New Volunteer
To recognize new volunteers with a WASFAA committee for the accomplishments and contributions to the Association in the year of she or he first volunteers.
| 2024 | Amber Wick- University of Arizona - Tucson Gecko McDowell- College of Western Idaho |
| 2023 | Zoe Rae - Western Washington University Molly Walsh - DigiPen Institute of Technology |
| 2021 | JW Lazzari - Western Nevada College |
| 2020 | Heather Rosinbum - University of Arizona - Tucson |
| 2019 | Phil LeBlanc - University of Phoenix |
| 2018 | Cassie Zimmerlee - Lane Community College Nicolas Dehaan - University of Phoenix |
| 2017 | David Downing - Washington State University |
| 2016 | Leo Vogel - UC San Diego |
| 2014 | Oscar Verduzco - Heritage University |
| 2013 | Lakia Wilson - University of Portland |
| 2012 | Destiny Romano - Prospect Education |
| 2011 | Ashley Salisbury - Prospect Education |
| 2010 | Breena Conlin - Prospect Education |
President's Citation
| 2004 | Catherine King-Todd - Thunderbird -The Garvin School of International Management |
| 1997 | Addalou Davis - McGeorge School of Law |
| 1997 | Debi Fidler - UC, Berkeley, Haas School of Business |
| 1997 | Maureen McRae Levy - Occidental College |
| 1972 | Otto Roemich - Unknown |
President's Special Award
| 2023 | Jannine Oyama - University of Hawaii System Sandi Guidry - University of Nevada, Reno |
| 2022 | Leonard Walker - University of Nevada, Reno |
| 2021 | John Bender III - Lewis-Clark State College Mindy Bergeron - The Wright Institute |
| 2020 | Helen Faith - Lane Community College Barbara Bickett - DeVry University |
| 2019 | Ashley Salisbury - University of Nevada, Reno Danette Wells - Bastyr University |
| 2018 | Tami Sato - Marshall B. Ketchum University Mindy Bergeron - John F. Kennedy University |
| 2017 | Sandi Guidry - University of Nevada, Reno Mindy Bergeron - John F. Kennedy University Dr. Steve Herndon - Lifetime Member Ron Lee Leonard Walker - University of Nevada, School of Medicine |
| 2016 | Ashley Munro - University of Alaska Fairbanks |
| 2015 | Sun Ow - Great Lakes Higher Education Ashley Salisbury - University of Nevada, Reno |
| 2014 | Sandi Guidry - University of Nevada - Reno Wendy Olson - Whitworth University |
| 2013 | Kay Soltis - Pacific Lutheran University |
| 2012 | Steve Herndon - CSU - Bakersfield Tami Sato - Southern California College of Optometry Renee Davis - Nevada System of Higher Education |
| 2011 | Mindy Bergeron - JFK University Frank Green - Travel Institute of the Pacific Ron Lee - USA Funds |
| 2010 | Renee Davis - Truckee Meadows Community College Luhui Whitebear - Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde |
| 2009 | Tami Sato - Southern California College of Optometry |
| 2008 | Patrick Downey - ECMC David Tolman - Boise State University |
| 2007 | State Presidents Group Catherine King-Todd - Executive Committee Liaision Teri Gravenmier - Alaska State President Terri Eckel - Arizona State President Louise Jones - California State President Sheri Dewey - Idaho State President Christina Twelves - Nevada State President Tracey Lehman - Oregon State President Jannine Oyama - Pacific Islands President Carla Idohl-Corwin - Washington State President |
| 2006 | Doug Severs - Idaho State University Frank Green - Travel Institute of The Pacific Catherine King-Todd - Thunderbird -The Garvin School of International Management Peter Miller - Alaska Pacific University Leonard Walker - University of Nevada, Reno Kay W. Soltis - Pacific Lutheran University |
| 2004 | Lana Walter - Northwest College |
| 2003 | Don Black - Nelnet Ron Lee - EdFund |
| 2002 | Jerry Sims - Retired |
| 2002 | Catherine King-Todd - Thunderbird - The American Graduate School of International Management |
| 2002 | Steve Herndon - CSU, Bakersfield |
| 2001 | Kate Bligh - Nellie Mae |
| 2000 | Larry Gladieux - The College Board |
| 2000 | Lois Kelly - Boise State University |
| 2000 | Julie Arthur - College of the Redwoods |
| 1997 | David Levy - California Institute of Technology |
| 1991 | Greg Ball - Oregon Health Sciences University |
President's Special Award for Years of Service
| 1996 | Dallas Martin - 20 years - NASFAA |
| 1986 | Dallas Martin - 10 years - NASFAA |
WASFAA Special Recognition
| 2017 | Jeff Baker - US Department of Education |
| 2002 | Peter Miller - Alaska Pacific University |
| 2002 | Marianna Deeken - USED |
| 1992 | Nina Pruneda - USED |
| 1992 | Judie Crummel - USED |
- This award was last awarded in 1992-93 and dropped as an award by the 1993-94 EC
- As a result of dropping the Creative Leadership award, the 93-94 EC adopted the Meritorious Service Award.
- It appears that the 1996-97 EC combined the Creative Leadership and the Meritorious Service into the Meritorious Achievement award.
- Confirmed per NASFAA 1/99. This list for archive information only as awardees determined by NASFAA. These are announced at NASFAA Conference and presented during the subsequent year at the regional association conferences.