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Annual Awards

Every year, TACAC recognizes the work and achievements of our members with various awards.

Nominations:

Members have the opportunity to submit nominations for TACAC awards. A call for nominations will be put out in early fall and are due to the TACAC Past-President by late fall.

Nominate Today!

TACAC seeks members-at-large to help identify and select our future leaders. Please consider applying for the Awards & Nominating Committee.

Announcement:

Yearly awards will be announced at the annual TACAC conference. 

Established in 1986 by the TACAC executive board, the Founders’ Award recognizes members whose contributions to the Association and the profession are “above and beyond the call of duty” and exemplary of exceptional talent and devotion to students. These awards are designated as “Founders’ Awards” in honor and recognition of the charter members of the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling.

2024 - Rob Mooring
2023 - Marisol Scheer
2022 – Rachel Butler-Ripley
2021 – Brad Durchslag
2020 – Dr. Trey Wetendorf
2019 – Anni Judkins
2018 – Justin Doty
2017 – Heath Einstein
2016 – Megan Greene
2015 – Jeff Pilchiek
2014 – Mickey Saloma & Courtney Skerritt
2013 – Tamara Siler
2012 – Jeff Fuller
2010 – Myra Gonzalez, Hope Young
2009 – Ray Brown, Tom Oliver
2008 – Christine Bowman, Justin Doty
2007 – Beverly Henry Wheeler
2006 – Jennifer Ehlers
2005 – Susan Epps
2004 – Stephanie Anderson, Debra Craig, Nan Davis, Hank Ewert,
Barbara Merkle, Ron Moss, Lynn Slaughter, & Carol Lemmon
2003 – Jay Evans
2002 – Nancy Fomby
2001 – Gary Engelgau, Mike Rossman
2000 – Nancy Boyd, John Lind
1999 – Dick Stabell
1998 – Myra Tenholder, Fernando Yarrito
1997 – Roy Balter, Earlene French
1990 – Rhea Wolfram
1988 – Walter Bowen, Johnnie Spies

Enacted in 1987, the status of Honorary Lifetime Membership was established by the executive board to recognize inspired leadership and extraordinary service to students in the college admission process.

2024 - Jeff Pilchiek
2022 – Tom Becker, Charlotte Winkelmann
2021 – Nancy Fomby
2020 – Dr. Ron Moss
2019 – Jeff Fuller
2018 – Beverly Henry Wheeler
2017 – Ray Brown, Michael Heintze
2016 – Nan Davis
2015 – Sarah Mabry, Johnny Walker
2014 – Susan Epps
2013 – Jennifer Ehlers, Barbara Merkle, Anne Naman, &
Mike Rossman
2012 – Peggy Johnson
2011 – Major Glenn Burnside
2010 – Cindy Graves, Bruce Walker
2009 – Debra Craig
2008 – Jay Evans, Lynn Slaughter
2007 – Pam Burris, Myrna Tenholder
2006 – Pat Clipp
2005 – Nancy Boyd, Gale Woods
2004 – John Lind, Dick Stabell, Carol Young
2002 – Earlene French
2001 – Sandra Ware
1999 – Toody Byrd
1997 – David Adams, Roy Balter, W Jean Lockhart
1991 – Michael Barron, Johnnie Spies, Mary P Vaughan
1990 – Anne Kennedy
1988 – Alberta “Doodie” Meyer

Honors individuals or organizations who make significant contributions to TACAC or our mission.  These awards could be used to recognize non-members or associate non-voting members for their donated services, monetary contributions, legislative support or other contributions which foster the growth of TACAC.

2024 - Robert Hogeda & The College Board
2023 - Dan Saavedra & StriveScan
2022 – Jonathan Ferrell
2021 – Dr. Michael Sorrell & Uplift Education
2020 – Dr. Paul Eaton & Yvette Carreon
2019 – UT Austin GEAR Up
2018 – Dr. Stephanie Dupaul, Dr. Don Stockton
2017 – San Antonio Express-News
2016 – Carole Machol-Atler
2014 – Bambi McCullough 
2013 – Tina Leh2011 – ACT, Inc.
2010 – Pamela Chambers, Region XX
2009 – Austin ISD
2008 – The College Board Southwestern Region
2006 – Matthew Brown
2005 – Shay Harman
2004 – Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation 
& The College Board     
2003 – Dick Hendee, LoanStar Student Loans
 

On April 21, 1996, the executive board inaugurated an annual award to recognize an individual who has achieved unquestioned excellence in counseling young people in the transition from high school to college. The award honors a TACAC member who has served students at least 10 years and who has been assessed by colleagues as meeting high standards of honesty, decency and commitment to a good match between student and college. The award is named in honor of William W. Fleming, who served at TACAC’s first Public Service Chair and remained a loyal TACAC member throughout his career. Most important, he always cared about helping young people find a good college match.

2024 - Lesley Watkins
2023 - Hope Young Toussant
2022 – Micah Lyles
2021 – Angelica Melendez
2020 – Laura Willard
2019 – Elizabeth Guice
2018 – Lynn Caldwell Slaughter (posthumously)
2017 – James Jones
2016 – Eric Heineman
2015 – Ann Marano
2014 – Charlotte Knepp 
2013 – Nancy Fomby, Michael Heintze
2012 – Sheredian Vickers, Paul Weaver
2011 – Sherry Sunderman, Charlotte Winklemann
2010 – Peggy Johnson
2009 – Julie Rollins
2008 – Djuana Young
2007 – Shirley Raby
2006 – Janis Green
2005 – John Walker
2004 – Carol Lemmon
2003 – Cindy Graves
2002 – Carol Young
2001 – Debra Craig
2000 – Hank Ewert
1999 – Barbara Parks
1998 – Diane Dilworth
1997 – Susan Epps

This award, created by the executive board in 2000, honors individuals who have five years or less experience with TACAC but who have given outstanding service to the organization.

2024 - Crystal Riles
2023 - Bertita Barrientos-Kimery
2022 – Aspen Arnold, April Marroquin, Ashley Plaeger
2021 – Charlie Runyan & Narietha Carter-McClain
2020 – Jose DejesusGil
2019 – Bridget Adiukwu
2018 – Caitlin James
2017 – Rob Mooring
2016 – Tony Sarda
2015 – Wintress James
2014 – Nicholas Howell, Elizabeth Jones
2013 – Kenneth Bordelon
2012 – Christian Backstrom Pitman, Marie Bigham
2011 – Demetra Durham, Clark Mitchell
2010 – Jeff Mayo, Mary Randers
2009 – Michael Marshall, Steven Scales
2008 – Lisa Clay
2007 – Ismael Rodriguez
2006 – Stephanie Bierman, Thomas Sneed
2005 – Victoria Herrera, Jennifer Sullivan
2004 – Diana McAfee, Kevin Richardson
2003 – Brian Taylor, Hope Young
2002 – Cara Presley, Dawnelle Prince
2001 – Myra Gonzalez, Kedra Ishop
2000 – Tracee Carcasson, Jeff Fuller

Established by the executive board in 2018 in honor of Lynn Slaughter’s contributions to TACAC through the mentoring of fellow professionals, this award is given to TACAC members in recognition of outstanding commitment to the mentoring and development of TACAC members. Mentoring is an essential component in the success of our field. Outstanding mentors are willing to share their knowledge to enhance the professional and personal development of others in our organization. This award will recognize individuals who have excelled at mentoring others in their growth and commitment to our field and organization. 

2024 - Micah Lyles
2023 - Dr. Lauren Parish
2022 – Hank Ewert
2021 - Tom Becker

2020 – Veronica Adams
2019 – Nan Davis
2018 – Jeff Pilchiek 

 

Established in 2024 by the presidents' council, in honor of sisters Angelica Melendez and Marisol Scheer’s years of devotion to TACAC through service and leadership. The sisters have served TACAC for more than 20 years and continue to volunteer, lead, and mentor the members of TACAC. The sisters have served students and families in Texas their entire career and their influence has a national impact. Over the years, both have served in various TACAC leadership roles including conference coordinators and the first set of siblings to be TACAC president. Service to TACAC is an essential value of the association and allows us to stay true to the vision of developing professionals year after year. This award is given to TACAC members in recognition of outstanding commitment, passion, and service to the association.

2024 - Keith Ahee, Jr.