CACRAO HONORS AND AWARDS

Each year, CACRAO recognizes members during the Annual Meeting who exemplify the Association’s values and contribute to the organization’s growth and overall success. To nominate a peer for his or her superlative service and contributions to the organization, complete the nomination form below and provide a short paragraph detailing why you believe your nomination should be selected for the award.

 

Association Honors & Awards Include:

 

Charlie Hendricks Award

Named in 1995 to honor devoted CACRAO member, Charlie Hendricks, this award recognizes individuals who go “beyond the call of duty for CACRAO.” They give freely of their time to support the Association through volunteering, completing tasks no one else wants, and rarely receive the credit they deserve. Nominees must not be current members of the Executive Board, and have been a member for five or more years.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

Year Recipient Institution
2025 Matt Cash Converse University
2024 Maura DiColla Cooperating Raleigh Colleges
2023 Scott Harvey Tri-County Technical College
2022 Lisa Cote University of South Carolina
2021 Debbie Bell St. Andrews University
2020 Patrick Frazier Western Carolina University
2019 Ronnie Chalmers North Carolina State University
2018 Brad Barron Furman University
2017 Maggie Gause Florence-Darlington Technical College
2016 Tiffany Blackwell Tri-County Technical College
2015 Kristin Allen University of South Carolina - Aiken
2014 Jonathan Reece University of North Carolina - Wilmington
2012 Zaire McCoy Elon University
2011 Chris Murphy East Carolina University
2010 Roger Jones Belmont Abbey College
2009 Angela Anderson East Carolina University
2008 Robert (Bob) Askins University of South Carolina - Columbia
2006 Drury (Chip) Nimmich The Citadel
2004 Ed Holloway North Greenville College
2003 David Christ Bob Jones University
2002 Craig Fulton University of North Carolina - Charlotte
2001 Tom Black Duke University
2000 Rich Tinneny Midlands Technical College
1999 Stephen (Steve) Poston Wingate University
1998 Margaret R. Perry Wake Forest University
1997 Eli Wishart Midlands Technical College
1996 Charles Lancaster Coastal Carolina Community College
1995 Malinda Richbourg University of North Carolina - Greensboro

 

Chris Murphy Award of Excellence

Previously, this award was titled the "Award of Excellence".  It was renamed in 2017 to honor beloved CACRAO member, Chris Murphy.  This award is presented each year to an outstanding member who has made major contributions to CACRAO, its member institutions, and higher education in North and South Carolina.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

 

Year Recipient Institution
2025 Dominique Harrison North Carolina A&T State University
2025 Taylor Haigler Tri-County Technical College
2024 Olivia Strull University of South Carolina
2023 Debbie Bell Xavier University
2023 Jen Tollison UNC Charlotte
2022 Allyson Brown Spartanburg Methodist College
2021 Suzi Swartz Western Carolina University
2020 Abey Dessie University of North Carolina - Charlotte
2019 Franklin Czwazka College of Charleston
2019 Jessica Horne University of North Carolina - Wilmington
2018 Matt Cash University of South Carolina - Beaufort
2017 Amy Denton College Foundation of North Carolina
2017 James Patton Furman University
2017 Melisa Bates Johnson & Wales University
2017 Luke Sweeney William Peace University
2016 Patrick Frazier Western Carolina University
2016 Nicole Kuhns Appalachian State University
2016 Nancy Reading Central Carolina Technical College
2016 Kenneth Roach Coastal Carolina University
2015 Amelia Martin Barton College
2014 Myron Burney Morehouse College
2014 John Powell The Citadel
2013 Lisa Knell Cote Francis Marion University
2013 Jonathan Reece University of North Carolina - Wilmington
2012 Joseph Croom Carteret Community College
2011 Bonnie Jones Davidson County Community College
2011 Kelli Sewell North Greenville University
2010 Zaire McCoy Elon University
2009 Julie Fielder University of South Carolina - Columbia
2008 Marshall Connor Trident Technical College
2008 Jan Jordon Johnson & Wales University
2007 Julia Bellon University of South Carolina - Columbia
2007 Kacy Seay University of North Carolina - Greensboro
2007 Perry Wilson Coker College
2007 Mike Zeigler Claflin University
2006 Pam Farmer North Greenville University
2006 Jocelyn Foy North Carolina Central University
2006 Andrew Hendrix University of South Carolina - Aiken
2006 Jenni Page Wofford College
2005 Rita Brown James Sprunt Community College
2005 Ken Hayes Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
2005 Drucilla (Dru) Russell Francis Marion University
2004 Amy Bissette East Carolina University
2004 Vern Granger North Carolina State University
2004 Charmin Lee Wingate University
2004 Elizabeth (Beth) McLean Francis Marion University
2003 Angela Anderson East Carolina University
2003 Brenda Sawyer Coastal Carolina University
2003 Gail Stephens University of South Carolina - Columbia
2003 National Student Clearinghouse Corporate Sponsor
2002 Ray Cockrell University of North Carolina - Wilmington
2002 Jerry Harrelson University of North Carolina - Greensboro
2002 Robert (Bob) Askins University of South Carolina - Columbia
2001 David Christ Bob Jones University
2001 Sha-Ron Jones Saint Augustine's College
2001 Rich Tinneny Midlands Technical College
2000 Julie Bush University of South Carolina - Aiken
2000 Martha Welch O'Donnell North Carolina State University
2000 Craig Fulton University of North Carolina - Charlotte
1999 Terry L. Davis University of South Carolina - Columbia
1999 Michael R. Heintze Clemson University
1999 Richard (Rick) Hinshaw Mars Hill College
1998 Annie R. Belton South Carolina State University
1998 Carolyn Hicks Wake Technical Community College
1997 Robert S. Barkley Clemson University
1997 Kathi M. Baucom University of North Carolina - Charlotte
1996 James H. (Jim) Bundy North Carolina State University
1996 Dr. George R. Dixon North Carolina State University
1996 Margaret R. Perry Wake Forest University
1994 T. Luther (Luke) Gunter University of South Carolina - Columbia
1994 The College Board Corporate Sponsor
1993 Randy Kilby Gardner-Webb University
1993 Phoenix Communications Corporate Sponsor
1992 Richard G. (Dick) Cashwell University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
1992 Paul Anderson Furman University
1991 Rudolph Artis North Carolina A&T University
1991 Charlie Hendricks Guilford College
1991 Marvin Lynch Francis Marion University

 

Zaire Lionel Honorary Membership Award

In 2021, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of CACRAO, the Honorary Membership award was renamed in honor of Zaire Lionel in recognition of the impact that she has had on countless CACRAO members and to recognize her many contributions to both CACRAO and to higher education admissions. Individuals who have served CACRAO for ten or more years and have made a lasting impact through their efforts as an as an officer, committee member, or participant in the profession may receive Honorary Membership upon retirement or changing of professions. The membership type of Honorary Member is automatically awarded to all Presidents of CACRAO at the conclusion of their term as they complete the role of Immediate Past President.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

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Myron Burney Rising Professional Award

Named in 2017 to honor admired CACRAO member, Myron Burney.  This award is given to an individual who has been a member of CACRAO from 1 to 5 years and has progressively served the association through committee membership, participation at the annual conference, and/or served as an officer.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

Year Recipient Institution
2025 Nia Jackson University of South Carolina - Beaufort
2024 Lyndsey Turner East Carolina University
2023 Taylor Haigler Lander University
2022 Blake Morgan University of North Carolina - Charlotte
2021 David Clingenpeel Wake Forest University
2020 Courtney Sola North Carolina State University
2019 Adam Ray Western Carolina University
2018 Katie Jerald University of South Carolina - Columbia
2017 Courtney Embler Tri-County Technical College

 

Dorinda Harmon ACRAO Achievement Award

The Dorinda Harmon ACRAO Achievement Award was created in 2023 and named in honor of beloved CACRAO member, Dorinda Harmon. This award recognizes a current or former CACRAO member who has made major contributions within not only CACRAO, but also SACRAO, AACRAO, and other state ACRAO Organizations.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

Year Recipient Institution
2025 Amy Gleason Duke University
2024 Dr. Jonathan Reece University of North Carolina - Charlotte
2023 Rock McCaskill Clemson University

 

Rick Hinshaw Corporate Partner of the Year Award

The Rick Hinshaw Corporate Partner of the Year Award was created in 2023 and is named in honor of longtime CACRAO member and former corporate partner Rick Hinshaw. This award will be given yearly to a corporate partner to recognize their involvement in the organization and the contributions that they have made to the organization over the year. A corporate partner is eligible for this award even if they have received the award in the past.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

Year Company Name
2025 Atlas Flags
2024 Andrews Business Services
2023 ENCOURA

 

Bob McLendon Lifetime Achievement Award

The Robert "Bob" McLendon Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 2023 and named in honor of long time CACRAO member Bob McLendon. This award recognizes an individuals lifetime work within the admissions and/or registrar profession, in addition to any involvement or achievements that they might have had within CACRAO or other professional organizations. Nominees must not be current members of the Executive Board, and must have been a member for ten or more years.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

Year Recipient Institution
2025 Phil Cauley Western Carolina University
2025 Dr. Stacey Sowell Shaw University
2024 Debra Sparacino Clemson University
2023 Vern Granger University of Connecticut

 

Lt. Colonel John Powell & Melisa Bates Road Warrior Award

The Lt. Colonel John Powell and Melisa Bates Road Warrior Award was created in 2023 to honor two long time CACRAO members, Lt. Colonel John Powell and Melisa Bates. This award recognizes an individual that is new to the profession that deserves recognition for their potential abilities within the organization and/or higher education moving forward within their career.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

Year Recipient Institution
2025 Kaitlyn Graham University of North Carolina - Charlotte
2025 Peyton King University of South Carolina - Beaufort
2024 Brittany Burnett University of North Carolina - Pembroke
2024 Myasia Byrd Newberry College
2023 John "JB" Odasco Francis Marion University
2023 Savannah Powell University of North Carolina - Charlotte

 

Jonathan Reece, Ed.D. Registrar Award of Excellence

The Jonathan Reece, Ed.D. Registrar Award of Excellence was created in 2024 and named after beloved CACRAO member, Jonathan Reece in 2025. The award recognizes an individual within the Registrar profession that deserves recognition for their contributions within the organization and/or higher education currently and moving forward within their career.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

Year Recipient Institution
2025 Beckie Morgan North Carolina State University
2024 Cara LeCureux Western Carolina University

 

Scott Harvey Best Annual Meeting Presentation Award

The Scott Harvey Best Annual Meeting Presentation Award was created and named after beloved CACRAO member, Scott Harvey in 2025. This award recognizes the best overall presentation from the previous years Annual Meeting. The winner of the award will have their session title and description submitted to the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) for consideration in their next Annual Meeting. The award will be presented at the following years CACRAO Annual Meeting.

Previous Honors & Awards Recipients

Year Recipient(s) Institution(s) Session Title
2025 Dominique Harrison, Octavia Little, & Joshua Lowe North Carolina A&T State University Leading from the Middle: Strategies for Effective and Impactful Middle Management