Awards

Celebrating Excellence in Research Administration

SRAI’s Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the field of research administration and the advancement of our professional community. Presented each year at the Annual Meeting, these honors celebrate leadership, service, innovation, and excellence across the research management spectrum. They serve not only to acknowledge individual achievement but to inspire continued growth and impact within the profession.

Be Recognized With an Award - Nominations Now Open!

SRAI honors members who make a lasting impact on the profession, with awards presented each fall at the Annual Meeting. Submit a nomination by May 15, 2026

Complete the nomination form by May 15.

You must be a current SRAI member to nominate someone for an award. Nominators may only submit one nominee for each award.

Nomination should include a brief description outlining the nominee's qualification for the award, a letter of recommendation from yourself, an additional letter of recommendation from at least one other SRAI member, and a current CV/Resume for the nominee. If you are unable to provide a current CV/Resume, one will be requested from the nominee. 

SRAI will contact the nominee to inform them of their nomination. As a nominator, if you wish to remain anonymous in your nomination you may request this on the nomination form. 

A person may receive only one SRAI award listed below in a given year. If one person is nominated for two or more awards, the committee chair will contact the nominators to determine the most appropriate category. 

    Complete the nomination form by May 15.

    Nominee membership is dependent on the award. Please see the award's criteria for requirements. 

    A person may receive only one of the SRAI awards below in a given year. 

    Nominees should include a brief description outlining their qualifications for the award, a personal statement, additional letter of recommendation from at least one SRAI member, and a current CV/Resume. 

    Nominations Now Open!

    Recognition starts here. Nominate yourself or someone whose contributions deserve to be celebreated

    Nominations Due May 15

    Meet the 2025 Recipients

    The Herbert B. Chermside Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Contribution to Research Administration

    The Herbert B. Chermside Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes distinguished and substantial contributions to the development of research administration as a profession.

    This award was created and named after an SRAI member who first joined only two years after the Society was formed and then spent the rest of his career working towards the advancement of the profession of research administration. He was known as a mentor to many, and a dedicated research administrator to all.

    Distinguishable and recognized contributions to this award may be in the form of any of the following:

    • Publications in research management and administration journals.
    • Speeches concerning research administration and the advancement of the profession before major organizations.
    • Service on committees or agencies that have had a direct and positive impact on research administration.
    • Other activities that have contributed to the development of research administration as a profession.

    Nominations for the award are solicited from leaders in colleges and universities, industry, government, and the SRAI membership. The nominee does not need to be an SRAI member, but the nominator must be a current SRAI member. One winner is selected each year.

    2025: Susan Wyatt Sedwick

    2024: Debra Schaller-Demers

    2023: J. Michael Slocum

    2022: Rebecca Claycamp

    2021: Jennifer Shambrook

    2020: David Phipps

    2019: Mark Hochman

    2018: Marjorie Piechowski

    2017: Collin Cooper

    2016: Pat Buennemeyer

    2015: Bill F. Schweri

    2013: Edward F. Gabriele

    2012: Jean I. Feldman

    2011: Dorothy Yates

    2010: Lynne Chronister and Elliott Kulakowski

    2008: Mike Varney

    2007: Albert R.C. Westwood

    2006: Paul Nacon

    2004: Vice Admiral Michael L. Cowan

    2003: Kenneth Beasley

    2002: Karen Holbrook

    2001: Henry G. Friesen

    2000:  Arthur Beinenstock

    1999: Rear Admiral Paul G. Gaffney, II

    1998: Wendy Baldwin

    1997: Judith Bostoch

    1996: Geoffrey E. Grant

    1995: V. Wayne Kennedy

    1994: John A. Rodman

    1993: Mary Woolley

    1992: Cedric Chernik

    1991: William Raub

    1990: Ronald W. Lamont-Havers

    1989: Robert M. Johnson

    1988: Richard C. Atkinson

    1987: Ronald E. Cape

    1986: Gordon MacNabb

    1985: Ian M. Rose

    1984: Linda S. Wilson

    1983: Donald N. Langenberg

    1982: Donald S. Fredrickson

    1981: Malcolm E. Pruitt

    1980: Edward E. David

    1979: Arthur M. Bueche

    1978: Alvin M. Weinberg

    1977: Raymond J. Woodrow

    1976: William O. Baker

    1975: James A. Shanon

    1974: George Darling

    Hartford-Nicholsen Award

    This award was established to recognize SRAI members whose services demonstrate leadership in the Society, and who have made a major, distinguishable contribution that has been of benefit to the entire Society. Individuals who are nominated for this award have contributed their professional expertise to the Society to help develop, define, and promote best practices in research administration.

    Recipients of this award have made distinguishable contributions in their role serving as a volunteer of SRAI. Volunteer roles including serving in a leadership role as an officer of a Section, as a member of a committee working group, or a member of the Board of Directors. 

    The nominee must be a current SRAI member, nominated by a current SRAI member. Up to three winners can be selected each year.

    2025: Angela Behrend

    2024: Andrea Deaton & Pamela Montgomery

    2023: Kim C. Carter, Dara Little, & Renee Vaughan

    2022: Karen Bone, Kevin Titus, & Bill Hoffman

    2021: Heather Kraus & Annedorte Vad

    2020: Dominic Esposito, Lynda Olin, & Nathan Vanderford

    2019: Amy Cuhel-Schuckers, Cindy Morin, & Anne Schauer

    2018: Tonya K. Edvalson, Gina Hedberg,  Tim Linker

    2017: Gloria W. Greene & Ellen E. Zavala

    2016: Fran Stephens

    2015: Sandra M. Nordahl, Mark Hochman, & Kris Rhodes

    2014: Judy Bristow & Kathryn Watkins

    2013: Midge Breslof, Kate McCormick, & Amy Sikalis

    2012: Merritt R. Helfferich & Shirley Hill

    2011: Debra Schaller-Demers & Cliff Schofield

    2010: Cindy Kiel, Philip Myers, & Domenica Pappas

    2009: Frank Davis, Rene C. Hearns, & Marcia Trudgen

    2008:Michael Owen

    2007: David Mineo & Karen Wilson

    2006: Jennifer Shambrook

    2005: Jim Hanlon, Peggy Harrell, & Donna Marano

    2004: Myriam Bouroche, Colin Cooper, Edward F. Gabriele, Charlie Tardivo, & Dorothy Yates

    2003: William Caskey, Patricia D. Buennemeyer, Sharon L. Kiser, & Paula Means

    2002: Michael McCallister, Mary Ellen Colvin, Mary Daley, & J. Terry Manns

    2001: Mary T. Spina, Thane Peterson, Cary E. Thomas, & John Chinn

    2000: Paul Nacon, Pearl Bigfeather, Carolyn Witt, & Michael Baiad

    1999: Matthew A. Kinnard, Joe Bass, & Ken Beasley

    1998: Pamela F. Miller, Pamela A. Krauser, Pamela Brown, Bruce Steinert, & Michael Lanner

    1997: Jerry J. Fife, Mildred Huff Ofuso, Victoria J. Molfese, & Laurie L. Robertson

    1996: Rebecca D. Claycamp, Jackie B. Solberg, Phillip V. Spina, & Marcia Landen

    1995: Diane C. Gilbert, Robert A. Killoren Jr.,, Linda Schwarz, & Ada Sue Selwitz

    1994: Frederick B. Mesler, Dianne Horrocks, Robert Fleming, & Janice Eckert

    1993: Gustavo Godoy, Shanti Gulati, John S. Phillips, & Ruth S. Poole

    1992: Lynne U. Chronister, Janet E. Scholz, J. Michael Slocum, Michael M. Smith, & Regina A. Smith

    1991: Mary C. Frankel, Lucy H. Henry, James L. Pyle, & William F. Schweri

    1990: Dennis B. Neighbors, Jr., Marjorie Piechowski, Paul Saenger, & Mary Woolley

    1989: Geoffrey Grant, Ellen D. Rogers, Richard E. Stephens, & Paul Waugaman

    1988: Melvin W. Buck, William J. Clement, Wil B. Emmet, & Roberta A. Nixon

    1987: Dwight L. Allen, Alfred B. Chaet, Herbert B. Floyd, & Arthur H. Headlam

    1986: Claudette D. Beyer, Frank Bloomfield, Lynzee Browning, Norma Denney, & Charles Selbert

    1985: Robert Bolton, John L. Christian, Cecil K. Drinker, & Kathrine M. Reed

    1984: Brent R. Kopp, Dr. Robert E. Krebs, Peggy S. Lowry, & Milton S. Stombler

    1983: Robert F. Boord, Brian L. Harvey, John M. Rogers, & Louren J. Van Monsjou

    1982: Roger D. Hartman, David R. Mounce, & Daniel M. Oshiro

    1981: Linda G. Halstead, James A. McPherson, & William R. Richard

    1980: Joel M. Cohen, Carla Dingillo, & Robert J. McKee

    1979: Truman Cook, Jo Ann Treat, & Larry G. Hess

    1978: Ruth M. Morgan, William J. Sabo, & Juanita C. Sowell

    1977: Justin C. Crawford, Rodney Rose, & Donald M. Wood

    1976: Harold B. Lawler, Eva J. Meyer, & Robert J. Proctor

    1975: Jack Balderston, Richard L. Snyder, & Betty L. Stevenson

    1974: Kenneth L. Beasly, Charlotte Raymond, Donald J. Rosania, & Kenneth E. Wright

    1973: David Canham, Jr., Lorraine Lasker, & Henry Schulte

    1972: Richard Duro, Richard Hill, Gary Matteson, & Jack Yarin

    1971: James Burack, Michael Costello, Sherwin Hansen, & Donald Howard

    1970: Mary Buck, Edward Davanaugh, Michael Hubona, & Bobette Jones

    1969: Robert Anthonisen, Benjamin Burgess, James Koch, & Alan Morrison

    1968: Richard D'Agostino, Richard Nicholsen, & Tracy Patrick

    Excellence Award

    This award recognizes SRAI members who have excelled in meeting the Society's purpose of expanding the knowledge and tools of research administration. It was established in 1977 in honor of the Society's 10th anniversary.

    Recipients of this award have made contributions to the field of research administration within SRAI and their own institution and/or outside organization through the development and expansion of methodology, working applications, and tools in an important and fundamental way, as demonstrated through:

    • Presentations
    • Teaching and/or mentoring
    • Service to an institution and/or outside organization
    • Publications

    The nominee must be a current SRAI member, nominated by a current SRAI member. Up to three winners can be selected each year.

    2025

    • Linda Dement
    • Kimberly Pratt
    • Meaghan Ventura

    2024

    • Jason Claes
    • Cynthia Morin
    • Olumide Odeyemi

    2023

    • Jose Alcaine
    • Terri Bigham
    • Susan Wyatt Sedwick

    2022 

    • Nathan L. Vanderford - Advanced Level
    • Jennifer E. Woodward, PhD - Advanced Level

    2021

    • Debbie Pettitt - Advanced Level
    • Courtney Hunt - Mid-Career Level
    • Katie Wu - Newcomer Level

    2020

    • Quinton Johnson - Mid-Career Level

    2019

    • Gloria Greene - Advanced Level
    • Tabatha Lemke - Mid-Career Level
    • Blair Reed - Newcomer Level

    2018

    • William F. Hoffman, Jr. - Advanced Level
    • Nathan L. Vanderford - Mid-Career Level

    2017

    • Frank Davis - Advanced Level
    • Alex Delavan - Mid-Career Level

    2016: Jennie Amison - Advanced Level

    2015: Renee J. Vaughan - Advanced Level

    2014

    • Erik Schneebeck - Newcomer Level
    • Paula Bistak - Advanced Level

    2013

    • Esther Gondwe - Newcomer Level
    • Sarah Lampson - Advanced Level

    2012

    • Jayamini Illesinghe – Newcomer Level
    • Andrea Deaton - Mid-Career Level

    2011

    • Lara Cartmale – Newcomer Level
    • Debra Schaller-Demers - Mid-Career Level
    • Denise Makovac-Badali – Advanced Level

    2010

    • Jennifer Shambrook
    • David Mineo

    2009

    • Patricia D. Buennemeyer
    • Philip A. Cola
    • J. Terence Manns

    2008: Marcia Landen

    2007: Sandra M. Nordahl

    2006

    • Lynne Chronister
    • Bill Schweri

    2005: Donna Marano

    2004

    • Paul G. Waugaman
    • Elliott Kulakowski

    2003: Michael J. Slocum

    2002: Rebecca Claycamp

    2001: Edward Gabriele

    1999: Carol L. Tippery

    1997: Jean Morrow

    1996: Robert A. Killoren, Jr

    1995: Donald E. Clark

    1994: Marjorie Piechowski

    1993: Ada Sue Selwitz

    1992: Eugene L. Stein

    1991: Frea E. Sladek

    1990: Clifford L. Shisler

    1989: John M. Mishler

    1988: Michael R. Dingerson 

    1987: Claudette D. Beyer 

    1986: Brian L. Harvey 

    1985: Peggy S. Lowry

    1984: John A. Rodman

    1983: Larry G. Hess 

    1982: Donald R. Baldwin

    1980: Oliver D. Hensley 

    1979: Jack L. Balderston

    1978: Kenneth Beasley

    1977: George B. Bush

    The Technology Innovation and Application Award

    This award was established in 2010 and celebrates individuals or teams who have introduced technological solutions that enhance research administration.

    Regardless of the media, innovations significantly move an office forward using technologies that best reflect the goals proposed. Innovation can take many forms – whether it’s the development of a new software tool, streamlining data management systems, or implementing digital platforms that improve grants management, communication, and collaboration across departments.

    The nominee may be an individual or a team. The technology may have been developed within one’s own institution or organization or in collaboration with another outside entity.

    Nominee(s) do not need to be an SRAI member. The nominator must be a current SRAI member.

    2025: Arya Singh, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

    2024: Lisa A. Wilson, Interim Assistant Vice President, Office of Research Administration, Emory University

    2022

    • Carla DeMarco, University of Toronto Mississauga
    • Jamil Ur Rahman, Khalifa University of Science and Technology

    2021: Benaroya Research Institute

    2019: Baron Wolf, Assistant Vice President for Research Strategy & Data Analytics, University of Kentucky

    2018: Linda Gamman, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communication, University of Washington

    2017: Drew Brown, Associate Director, Arizona State University

    2016: John Rogers, The University of Alabama at Huntsville

    2015: Neil Maxwell, Phoebe Search, University of California, Berkeley

    2014: Chris Winders, University of Missouri, Kansas City

    2013: Steven Dominguez, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

    2012: UCLA Rapid PI Portal 2011 Indiana University, Office of Research Administration

    2011: Indiana University, Office of Research Administration

    2010: Clark Atlanta University

    Outstanding Achievement Award in Policy and Science Diplomacy

    This award recognizes individuals or teams that recognize the crucial role that policy and science diplomacy play in supporting organizations at all levels—local, federal/national, and international. Established in 2024, it honors those excelling in research administration, helping to maximize the impact of research and development for collaborations, mutual understanding, and joint efforts to find shared solutions to global challenges.

    The Outstanding Achievement Award in Policy acknowledges the contribution of research administrators who have contributed to shaping policies that address local, national, or regional challenges. It honors those whose work has impacted the administration of research and development, helping improve how research is managed and delivered through influencing policies and setting new bridges for prioritization nationally and regionally.

    The Outstanding Achievement Award in Science Diplomacy recognizes those who contributed to the use of science to strengthen international relationships and foster cooperation. It recognizes efforts to help regions and countries work better together through scientific collaborations.

    Science diplomacy includes:

    • Diplomacy for Science: Working with diplomats to facilitate international scientific collaborations.
    • Science for Diplomacy: Using science to enhance diplomatic relations.
    • Science in Diplomacy: Providing scientific insights to inform political decisions.

    Nominee(s) must be a current SRAI member. The nominator must be a current SRAI member. Up to two winners will be selected each year, one for each track.

    2025: Cira Mathis

    Questions?

    We’re here to clarify and support.


    Contact Us