Distinguished Friend of Education Award

Congratulations to the 2020 Distinguished Friend of Education Award winner: Dr. Ellyn Jo Waller.

The Distinguished Friend of Education Award honors people whose volunteer service has helped advance education at a CASE member institution of which the nominee is not an alumnus/alumna. The award seeks to recognize those who, through their leadership and vision, exemplify the important roles that education and volunteerism play in advancing society. 

Nominations for this award are reviewed by members of the CASE Board of Trustees, which ultimately selects the winner.

People who meet these criteria are eligible for nomination: 

  • Have made significant contributions to a CASE member institution through service, philanthropy and/or advocacy.
  • Have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to advancing education.
  • Are not alumni of the institution submitting the nomination.

The person submitting the nomination must be from a CASE member institution or Educational Partner.

To nominate a corporation and foundation, please consider the James L. Fisher Award for Distinguished Service to Education.

Due to the global pandemic, nominations for this award are currently on hold. Thank you for your patience.

All nomination information and materials are submitted online by someone at a CASE member institution or Educational Partner.

The nominator also will be asked to upload four documents:

  1. A letter of nomination that: 
    • Describes the length, type and variety of service that the nominee has given to a CASE member institution and its resulting impact.
    • Articulates what sets this nominee apart from others who have worked to advance education nationally or globally.
  2. Nominee's professional or related vita, short bio or organizational overview (or links to the information online).
  3. Two supporting letters (not from the nominator) on organizational or institutional letterhead endorsing the nomination.

Guidance for letters:

  • Please reference the name of the award, and limit the letter to not more than two pages.
  • Letters can be addressed to the CASE Board of Trustees Awards Subcommittee, Washington, DC. 
  • Documents can be in PDF or Word format.
  • Please do not mail any materials directly to CASE.

2020 Dr. Ellyn Jo Waller, nominated by the Community College of Philadelphia
2019 Steven Minter, nominated by Cleveland State
2018 Abraham, Mayer and Arlene Mitchell, nominated by University of South Alabama
2017 Dr. Lawrence I. Bonchek, nominated by Franklin & Marshall College
2016 Dr. Herbert Wertheim, nominated by Florida International University
2015 Pat Sisbarro, nominated by New Mexico State University 
2014 Eric Newell, nominated by the University of Alberta
2013 No winner
2012 Jack and Mary Wheatley, nominated by Brigham Young University
2011 Ian Rolland, nominated by the University of St. Francis (Ind.)
2010 Henry W. Bloch, nominated by the University of Missouri-Kansas City
2009 Carrie and John Morgridge, nominated by the University of Denver
2008 Mary Kay McPhee, nominated by the University of Missouri-Kansas City
2007 Heath Oliver, nominated by Cuyahoga Community College