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Distinguished Service Award

MASE Awards Nomination Form - Click here!

MASE periodically selects individuals to receive the MASE Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented at the MASE/MASA Spring Conference. It is not necessarily given on a yearly basis, but is presented when a recipient of particular merit is identified.

Recognition ceremony during the MASA/MASE Spring Conference.

Nomination:

  1. The recipient of the Distinguished Service Award has a positive history/association with Minnesota public education. The history/association may be tied directly to the learning process, such as practicing administrator, teacher, etc.; OR indirectly tied, such as legislator, professional organization employee, member of media, etc.

  2. The recipient of the Distinguished Service Award has contributed/participated in activities that improve Minnesota’s public education system on a statewide basis, and has a reputation as a person that willingly goes the extra mile.

  3. Anyone may nominate a person for this award using the MASE nominating form. Nominations must be made by the nomination due date.

Selection: A committee of MASE past-presidents selects the recipient.

Award Presentation: The award is made at the MASE/MASA Spring Conference. The recipient is presented with an individual plaque. A news release is distributed to pertinent media in the recipient's coverage area.

Diane McCarron, Director of Services for SpEd Forms | News Release

Presented at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference

Recipients are selected based on a positive history and association with Minnesota public education, contribution to improving Minnesota’s public education, and reputation as a person who willingly “goes the extra mile”




Recipient History

  • 2025 Diane McCarron

  • 2024 Mick Waldspurger

  • 2023 No recipient

  • 2022 Barbara Jo Stahl

  • 2021 Jan Ostrum

  • 2020 Sheila Merzer

  • 2019 Laura Tubbs Booth

  • 2018 John Klaber

  • 2017 Michelle Jones

  • 2016 Mia Urick

  • 2015 No Recipient

  • 2014 Lisa Backer

  • 2013 Sue Abderholden

  • 2012 Paul Ratwik

  • 2011 No Recipient

  • 2010 No Recipient

  • 2009 Mindy Greiling

  • 2008 Mark Dayton

  • 2007 No Recipient

  • 2006 No Recipient

  • 2005 Nan Records

  • 2004 Don Krukow

  • 2003 No Recipient

  • 2002 Norena Hale

  • 2001 Robert Vaadeland

  • 2000 Denny Ulmer

  • 1999 Gary Lewis