CASE is proud to announce the 2020 recipients of its Distinguished Service Awards.

The awards program honors individuals and organizations for extraordinary service in education and the field of educational advancement, which includes alumni relations, fundraising, communications, and marketing.

“It is my enormous pleasure to announce the CASE Distinguished Service Award honorees. The individuals who received these awards have devoted themselves to advancing education to transform lives and society,” said Sue Cunningham, President and CEO of CASE. “They have demonstrated their commitment to education in unique and special ways, and they share a deep commitment to making a difference through their impactful support of education. CASE is proud to recognize our Distinguished Service Award recipients for their tireless efforts.” 

Judged by peers and colleagues, these awards celebrate those who epitomize the advancement profession’s highest standards.

The 2020 CASE Distinguished Service Award winners are:

• J. Michael Goodwin, recipient of the E. Burr Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award. Mike is the retired president and CEO at the Oregon State University Foundation.
  

Mike is a nationally recognized leader in higher education fundraising and management, known for his ability to adapt business practices to nonprofit organizations. He has led three universities through their first comprehensive capital campaigns, including two with $1 billion goals. Under Mike’s leadership, Oregon State’s first campus-wide fundraising campaign raised more than $1.14 billion from 106,000 donors.

Mike’s involvement with CASE spans 30 years including serving on the CASE Board of Trustees as both treasurer and chair during the development of CASE’s bold and ambitious 2017-2021 strategic plan. He also co-chaired the CASE Global Governance Steering Committee, whose work led to sweeping changes in CASE’s governance structure to more effectively and efficiently serve its members.

“Mike’s legacy to OSU will most certainly not be the dollars raised during his tenure, but the program he put in place to fully institutionalize fundraising as a shared responsibility at our university,” said Shawn Scoville, president and CEO at the Oregon State University Foundation. “Still, fundraising success is just part of what sets Mike apart as a leader. He is at the forefront of efforts to counter growing skepticism about the value of higher education. He added commitment to advocacy to our strategic plan and was the driving force behind the creation of an independent 501(c]4 organization, The Beaver Caucus, which rallies alumni and friends to communicate directly to Oregon state policymakers.”

• Dr. Violet Patton, recipient of the James L. Fisher Award for Distinguished Service to Education. Violet is an artist, educator, and philanthropist.

Violet has dedicated her life to education. She translated a background in the 

arts to a series of spelling, arithmetic, and etiquette textbooks for elementary school children that became the national standards and were adopted by many states. Violet also developed training programs for art teachers while at the Alliance and Wapakoneta school districts in Ohio, where one of her students was Neil Armstrong. 

In 2010, she announced a $13.3 million gift to benefit arts education at Ohio University through the construction of a new Arts Education Center, as well as a $28 million gift to the College of Education, now named the The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education. It was the largest gift to any college of education in Ohio, and the second-largest single gift to any college of education in the U.S. In 2019, just as Violet was celebrating her 103rd birthday, she increased her gift commitment by an additional $22 million.

“Dr. Patton gave Ohio University the greatest gift by placing her legacy and her parents’ names in our hands—a gift that will inspire Ohio University students, faculty, and staff for generations,” said Nico Karagosian, vice president, university advancement at Ohio University. “Her overwhelming generosity has forever changed the face of Ohio University and its students. The scope of her impact is immeasurable.”

• Barbara Miles, recipient of the John Lippincott Award for Global Advancement and Support of Education. Barbara is vice president, advancement at The Australian National University.

Barbara has served as an advancement leader at three different major research-intensive universities in three different countries: Australia, Canada, and the U.S. In less than two years at The Australian National University, she has elevated the strategic importance and profile of advancement across the university and significantly grown its advancement capacity.

Barbara served as a CASE District VIII Trustee, served on the CASE Board of Trustees, and served on the CASE Global Governance Steering Committee, which has transformed how CASE operates and is governed.

“Barbara’s most important contribution is that she has had a transformative impact at each of the universities where she has served or is serving. She has been instrumental in helping these institutions reach heights and realize aspirations that otherwise would not have been possible,” said Jeffrey Todd, president and CEO of the University of New Mexico Foundation.

• Lynette Marshall, recipient of the Frank L. Ashmore Award for Service to CASE and the Advancement Profession. Lynette is the president and CEO of the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.

During 14 years of leadership at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, Lynette launched a number of initiatives, including a program to engage more UI students in philanthropy and volunteerism, efforts to involve more women in philanthropic leadership, and strategic planning and rebranding efforts. Before that, she was the University of Illinois’ first fundraising professional in the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences, going on to serve the university for 25 years in many leadership capacities. 

Lynette has also given back to the philanthropic community for decades by providing leadership to several national groups, including the Association of Governing Boards, CASE, and the CASE 50 Steering Committee.

“As a parent or professional, we all strive to make an impact and have a purpose in our lives. Lynette’s life work has centered on purpose and impact,” said Rick Darnell, senior vice president for campaigns, marketing and communications at the University of Illinois Foundation. “Lynette helps everyone around her to serve, lead, and aspire for better and these same core values are lived by the organization she leads today.”

• Dr. Ellyn Jo Waller, recipient of the Distinguished Friend of Education Award. Ellyn Jo is president of the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation.

Ellyn Jo has displayed a lifelong dedication to education and the empowerment of women. She began an annual scholarship program and was instrumental in establishing the Community College of Philadelphia’s Promise Scholarship program, which allows Philadelphia high school students to attend the college with no cost for tuition and fees. As First Lady of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Ellyn Jo led a campaign with her congregation to raise $100,000 to launch the Promise Scholarship program that, since its inception, has distributed scholarships totaling approximately $911,000 to more than 1,200 students.

“She fosters mutually beneficial relationships and forges new partnerships, which have been very helpful to the institution,” said Donald Guy Generals, president of the Community College of Philadelphia. “She highlights the barriers faced by talented youth in underserved neighborhoods. She continuously advocates on behalf of the college and strives every day to ensure full access to higher education.”

• David Custer, recipient of the Ernest T. Stewart Award for Alumni Volunteer Involvement. David is the CEO and chairman of Custer Workplace Interiors.

David was a first-generation student at what was then Grand Rapids Junior College, and he credits the college with building the foundation for him to become a successful business leader in the city. He has always remembered that and has worked to ensure others have the same opportunities. 

David has volunteered for Grand Rapids Community College for more than 30 years, serving on the Foundation Board of Directors since 1989. He was the first non-college leader selected to chair the Foundation Board. He led three capital campaigns for the college, helping to secure more than $37 million. David was a leading donor and fundraiser to establish an alumni house on campus, providing a facility that will allow GRCC to connect with alumni in a unique way.

“Dave’s commitment to improving access to higher education for everyone in our community, for more than 30 years, is a legacy that should be celebrated and honored,” said Kathryn Mullins, vice president for college advancement and executive director of the GRCC Foundation. “Dave’s leadership is no secret here in West Michigan, and it’s wonderful to see him recognized and acknowledged nationally for his devotion to GRCC and his hard work to help our students.”