Awards
The ICAA recognizes outstanding individuals and contributions to the industry through awards that are typically presented at the annual convention. In order to apply for an award, you must be logged in and have a valid institutional membership. Click on 'Membership' from the site menu in order to get started.
ICAA David T. Smittle Distinguished Service Award
To recognize individuals who have made contributions above and beyond for the advancement of ICAA, the ICAA David T. Smittle Distinguished Service Award was created in 2017.
This award was established to recognize a current or former ICAA member who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and leadership that has significantly enhanced ICAA and its mission. This award may not necessarily be presented annually.
Eligibility
- Any current or past volunteer with ICAA, at any level (Summer Conference, Executive Committee, etc.)
- Candidates may be nominated by any ICAA member.
Past Recipients
2017: David Smittle, Ohio Northern University
2018: Paul Chewning, Trek Advancement
2019: Terry Kurtz, Director of Philanthropic Gifts, Hathaway Brown School
2022: Sandy Nichols, Senior Consultant, Plus Delta Partners
2023: Melissa Clarke Beckett, Columbus Academy
ICAA Ernest A. Sheetz Mentor Award
In an effort to recognize and honor the work being done by the college advancement professionals of ICAA, a Mentor Award has been established. The first award was presented at the 2002 summer conference.
The ICAA Ernest A. Sheetz Mentor Award recognizes an advancement professional who has displayed outstanding mentoring skills. The winner will be recognized at the summer conference recognition dinner.
Eligibility
- Any full-time professional at an ICAA member institution.
- Candidates may be nominated by a co-worker who they have mentored within their own institution or by a colleague at another institution, i.e. mentoring does not have to occur between two employees of the same institution.
- Candidates may be nominated by an individual who has had the opportunity to work with a colleague that the candidate has mentored. For example, John hires Beth as a new employee. Beth was trained by Sally at another institution and John is grateful that Beth is such a great self-starter. John nominates Sally for this award because he credits Sally for mentoring Beth and helping her grow professionally.
Please submit all nominations by May 31 of each academic year. Nominations are kept on file for two years.
Past Recipients
2002: Paul Ditlevson, Director of Legacy Estate Programs, Ashland University
2003: Louise Scott, Director of Advancement Services, Baldwin-Wallace College
2004: Edward Leonard, Vice President for College Advancement, Wilmington College
2005: Michael Ferin, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, University of Indianapolis
2006: Richard Fletcher, Vice President for Advancement, Baldwin-Wallace College
2007: Paul Chewning, President, West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc.
2008: George Richard, Assistant Vice President of College Relations, Baldwin-Wallace College
2009: Tanya Shelton, Vice President for Advancement, Alderson-Broaddus College.
2010: Celinda Scherger, Director of Alumni Relations, Tiffin University.
2011: E. Michael Eastman, Vice President of University Advancement, Manchester College.
2012: Kenneth L. Sheetz, Associate Vice President of Development, DePauw University.
2013: David T. Smittle, Director of Advancement Services, Ohio Northern University.
2014: Margaret Pomfret, V. P. of Development and Institutional Advancement, Ashland University.
2015: Angela Anderson, Interim Vice President for Advancement, Marietta College
2016: Ann Medwetz, Director of Development Communications, Oberlin College
2017: April Novotny, Assistant Vice President for Development, Capital University
2018: Kelly Burns, Major Gift Officer, Ohio Wesleyan University
2019: Sharon Finley Lowe, Director of University Grants and Foundation Relations, Ashland University
2021: Lori Weaver, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Marketing and Communications, Bethany College
2022: Katie Webster, Director of Alumni Relations, Ohio Wesleyan University
2023: Jennifer Bronner, Philanthropy Officer, Muskingum University
ICAA Newcomer Award
In an effort to recognize and honor the work being done by the college advancement professionals of ICAA, a Newcomer Award has been established. The first award was presented at the 2002 summer conference.
The ICAA Newcomer Award recognizes a new advancement professional who has made a significant contribution within his/her specific functional area. Nominations will be judged on new initiatives, successful events or improvements to existing programs. The winner will be recognized at the summer conference recognition dinner.
Eligibility
- Any full-time professional at an ICAA member institution with three years of experience or less in the advancement profession.
- Any full-time professional who has moved into a new functional area of advancement within the past three years.
- Applications may be self-nominated.
- A co-worker or colleague can also make nominations.
- All nominations must be supported/verified by a direct supervisor.
Please submit all nominations by May 31 of each academic year. Nominations are kept on file for two years.
Past Recipients
2002: Patricia Donahey, Communications/PR Officer, Pontifical College Josephinum
2003: Jan Blohm, Director of Annual Giving, Wilmington College
2004: Michael Kaltenmark, Associate Director of Development for Annual Giving, Butler University
2005: Amy Lewis, Associate Director of The Capital Fund, Capital University
2006: Candace Ott, Associate Director of Annual Giving, Ohio Wesleyan University
2008: Josh Smith, Advancement Services Manager, Bluffton University
2009: Jeff Alix, Coordinator of Annual Giving, Ashland University
2010: Makiva Harper McIntosh, Assistant Director of the Annual Fund, Denison University
2011: Kara Anderson, Director of Alumni Engagement, Otterbein University
2012: Bob Skinner, Vice President for Advancement, West Virginia Wesleyan College
2013: Matt Wahrhaftig, Director of Leadership Giving, Wilmington College
2014: Kevin Zeise, Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Case Western Reserve University
2015: Leta J. Jeffers, Director of The Thiel Fund, Thiel College
2016: Kyle Vaughn, Director of Annual Giving, Ashland University
2017: Jennifer Schad, Manager of Development Operations & Stewardship, Case Western Reserve University
2018: Jeff Coleman, Director for Development of Athletics, Ohio Northern University
2021: Melissa Tan, Assistant Director of Advancement Services, Earlham College
2021: Alanna Henderson, Assistant Director of Young Alumni and Student Engagement, Ohio Wesleyan University
2022: Jill Bode, Assistant Director of Alumni Communications and Events, Franklin College
2023: Makenna Daniels, Associate Director of Advancement, Ohio Wesleyan University
ICAA Program of Excellence
The Program of Excellence Award will recognize a successfully deployed program within a school that enhances the advancement division and/or university as a whole. Programs could be as broad as creating a lean and effective division model, or as specific as a sophisticated phone center data reporting process. The goal for this award is to celebrate people or teams that have developed innovative programs, tools and systems and additionally, to help recognize best practices in the field of advancement. Nominators should demonstrate how the program is a best practice and has produced positive results.
Eligibility
- Any full-time professional at an ICAA member institution is eligible to submit entries.
- The ICAA Awards selection committee will select no more than three Program of Excellence Awards per year.
- You may submit multiple nominations for different projects.
- Awards will be presented at the annual summer conference.
Please submit all nominations by May 31 of each academic year. Nominations are kept on file for two years.
Past Recipients
2015: Baldwin Wallace University Student Ambassadors Program
2016: University of Findlay Philanthropy Cord Program
2017: Ohio Northern University "What's New at ONU" Regional Alumni Events
2018: Carlow University’s “Alumni and Parent Box Program”
2019: University of Indianapolis “Hats Off To Health! A Healthier Community Starts With You”
2021: Women of Ohio Wesleyan (WOW)
2022: Bluffton University Presidents Ambassador Program
2023: Ohio Northern University's Planned Giving Reset