Call for Nominations

Description and Criteria

This award, begun in 2006, honors Professor Emeritus Ron Lunardini, who taught in the department for 17 years and served as chairperson for eight. The award is presented to an alumnus/alumna of the SAHE Department who has been a student affairs and/or higher education professional for at least five years and whose practice significantly reflects the standards and values of the SAHE Department, which may include any of the following:

  • Applying of knowledge, experience, and resources to create educational environments that address student needs, promote community, embrace multiculturalism, enhance student learning, and foster student development
  • Mentoring students and professional colleagues
  • Contributing to the student affairs profession through regional, state, and/or national involvement in professional associations
  • Collaborating with colleagues to meet institutional objectives
  • Demonstrating an appreciation for life-long learning and ongoing professional development

In 2021, the Ron and Peggy Lunardini Fund was established to generate a monetary award in the amount of $500 to accompany the Ron Lunardini Distinguished Alumni Award. The purpose of the award money is to allow the recipient to extend it in support of an educational program or initiative at IUP or their own campus.

Previous Recipients

2023 - Julene Pinto-Dyczewski '89
2022 - Will Foran '03
2021 - Kristin Eicholtz '05
2020 - Bill Mandicott '77
2019 - Jennifer Cole '05
2018 - Tammy Manko '91
2017 - Jennifer DuBrava Hinton '00
2016 - Courtney Baum '00
2015 - TiRease Holmes '02
2014 - Jennifer Ferrell '05
2013 - Virginia Koch '86
2012 - Rhonda Gifford '93
2011 - Colleen Ruefle '89
2010 - Julie Elkins '85
2009 - Kevin W. Bailey '90
2008 - Becky L. Verzinski '94
2007 - Pete Groenendyk '94
2006 - Bob Gatti '78

Nominations

Individuals may nominate themselves or another individual. All nominees must be current student affairs professionals and alumni of the SAHE Department for at least five years. Nominators need not be SAHE alumni or current student affairs professionals. Nomination materials shall include:

  • A cover letter from the principal nominator which describes the nominee's accomplishment(s) and how those accomplishments meet any of the award criteria
  • A copy of the nominee's vitae or resume
  • The nomination may include additional letters of support from any of the following:
    • the nominee's supervisor
    • professional colleagues
    • SAHE alumni
    • students who have benefited, directly or indirectly, from the accomplishments of the nominee

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, February 9, 2024, and can be sent to John Wesley Lowery at jlowery@iup.edu.

Selection and Announcement

A committee comprised of an alumnus or alumna as well as current SAHE faculty members and students shall review all nominations and select one as the recipient for the Distinguished Alumni Award. Announcements of the selection will be made prior to the ACPA and NASPA annual conventions, where the award will officially be presented, if possible.

Questions about the award or the selection process can be directed to John Wesley Lowery at jlowery@iup.edu.