MASFAA Awards and Recognition

MASFAA has a long history of recognizing outstanding achievement in our profession. We are proud of all that our members accomplish at the state, regional, and national level. Below is a history of many of our award winners. Some of our records are incomplete, so we apologize in advance for any omissions. Please email masfaa.tech@gmail.com to have records corrected.

MASFAA LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP LIST

Purpose: Lifetime memberships may be bestowed in rare circumstances at the discretion of Executive Council. This practice was discontinued in 1991, but reinstated in 2024 with the intent to recognize those who have made significant lifetime contributions to MASFAA.

Format: Lifetime members receive membership benefits at no cost to them and are automatically renewed for membership each year. Lifetime members who are qualified for active membership under Article III, Section 2 are entitled to vote on all matters brought before the Association.

Time of Presentation: This is presented by the President at the Annual Fall Conference.

MASFAA LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP LIST:

Linda Anderson-Mercier

Grace Bartini

Mike Bartini

George Covino

Linda Dagradi

Amelia Nychis

Leolyn Osborn

Linda Schoendorf

Barbara Tornow

Gail Holt

CHARLES E. JONES ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

History: The Charles E. Jones Achievement Award is named in memory of Chuck Jones, who dedicated his career to helping students. A member of the financial aid staff at The College of the Holy Cross, Chuck was concerned about the access and delivery of aid to ALL students. Chuck was a wonderful person who had an extremely promising career that, unfortunately, was cut short by a terminal illness.

Purpose: To recognize the achievements and development of a “new” financial aid administrator. Qualifications Has held an administrative position in financial aid for 3 years or less. Current Officers and Executive Council Members of MASFAA are not eligible to receive the award.

Criteria: Outstanding achievement in the areas of leadership ability, communication skills, professional development, decision making, service to students, and/or service to institution.

Format: The recipient is presented with a plaque.

Time of Presentation: This award is presented by the President at the Annual Fall Conference.

Charles E. Jones Award Past Recipients:

1988 Linda Schoendorf-Moore, Northeastern University

1989 Diana Hunter, Emmanuel College

1990 Leolyn Osborn, WPI

1991 Kinser Canselmo, Springfield College

1992 Shane Hammond, UMass Amherst

1993 Anita Wojick, Salem State College

1994 Sean Porter, Northeastern University

1995 Jan Marie Combs, Harvard Grad. School of Education

1996 Shawn Morrissey, Framingham State College

1997 Sherri Culp, Brandeis University

1998 Anthony Erwin, Berklee College of Music

1999 Carlos Perez, Salem State College

2000 Michelle Tufau, Wellesley College

2001 Karen Stoyanoff, Clark University

2002 Lynn Doan, College of the Holy Cross

2003 Hannah Morrison, Massasoit Community College

2004 Amy Piantedosi, Tufts University

2005 Shannon Czel, Boston Architectural College

2006 Jason Shumaker, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2007 Catherine Nelson, Brandeis University

2008 Carla Delucia, Fisher College

2009 Amanda Abreau, Northeastern University

2010 Kate Lang, Mount Holyoke College

2011 Jonathan Sparling, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

2012 Thomas Griffis, Elms College

2013 Wenimo Poweigha, Tufts University

2014 Greg Chick, UMASS Boston

2015 Marilyn Berroa, Endicott College

2016 Alexis Guay, MGH Institute of Health Professions

2017 Ashley Myers, Salem State

2018 Magan Harun

2019 Sarah Bergeron; WPI

2020 Leanne Zemrock, Bay Path University

2021 Tanika Smith, Northeastern University

2022 Sarah Barker, Bentley University

2023 Miel Jasper, Boston University Medical Campus

2023 Matt Gingras, Bunker Hill Community College

MASFAA PRESIDENTIAL AWARD

Purpose: To recognize outstanding service and time dedicated to MASFAA during the past year(s). Qualifications An individual or organization. Current Officers and Executive Council Members of MASFAA are not eligible to receive the award.

Criteria: Important contribution to MASFAA either by a single achievement or achievements accomplished over a period of time. Can be counted on to complete tasks for the Association often with little fanfare. Format Recipient(s) presented with an inscribed plaque by the President.

Time and Place of Presentation: This award is presented by the President at the Annual Fall Conference.

Presidential Award Past Recipients:

1988 Grace Bartini

1989 Linda Dagradi

1990 Michael Bartini

1991 George Covino

1992 Amy Culver/Susan Stano

1993 Kathy Methot

1994 John Marcus

1995 Andrea Kramer

1996 Daniel Barkowitz

1996 Lori Zarkower

1997 Sally Connolly

1998 Peter Giumette

1999 Kathryn Austin

1999 Michael Mullaney

2000 Kelly Morrissey

2001 Laura Ortiz

2002 Scott Prince

2003 Shawn Morrissey

2004 Elayne Peloquin

2005 Gail Holt

2006 Jamey Palmieri/David Goldman

2007 Leah Barry/Carla Berg

2008 Sherri Avery

2009 Anthony Erwin

2010 Cathy Kedski

2011 Meredith Stover

2012 MEFA, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority

2013 Stephanie Wells

2014 Lisa Talbot

2015 Christina Coviello

2016 Greg Chick

2017 Keith Dimalanta

2018 Julie Wickstrom

2019 Susan Sullivan

2020 Lauren Sullivan

2021 Mira Morgan

2022 James McGehee

2022 Jennifer Bento-Pinyoun

2022 Sarah Bergeron

2023 Mika Lim

CHARLES “JACK” SHEEHAN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

History The Charles Jack Sheehan Distinguished Service Award was named in honor of ‘Jack’ Sheehan, one of the most respected and talented financial aid administrators in our nation. Jack was called upon by Federal officials for advice; he was influential in helping shape Federal legislation and regulation. Most of all, Jack was an affectionate advocate for students and it shone clearly through in every detail of his work. One example of his caring for students was that he drove all over New Mexico in his Jaguar to encourage disadvantaged students to enroll at the University of New Mexico and made visits to Hispanic parents to persuade them to let their daughters go away to college. It was a fortunate day for Massachusetts when Jack came from New Mexico to be the Director of Financial Aid at Boston University. Jack was strongly committed to helping other aid professionals, especially those less experienced. He was always willing to answer questions, even when he wasn’t well, and he never made anyone think that their question wasn’t a good one. His style of management was to walk around the office with his cup of coffee and drop into the offices of staff to chat and see how things were going. He transformed the office at BU, which had lots of problems when he arrived. For this, President Silber was forever grateful, and he was forced to reconsider a remark he had made at an EASFAA meeting years before – something to the effect that the job of a financial aid officer was so insignificant that he could teach a monkey to do it. Jack served as President of this Association in 1983-84, and it was a tribute to Jack that he was also elected President of NASFAA, our National Association. Unfortunately, a terminal illness prevented him from assuming that office. This award was created in Jack’s memory to recognize distinguished service to the financial aid profession.

Purpose To recognize service to the financial aid profession.

Qualifications An individual who exhibits the traits of intelligence, integrity, fairness, ingenuity, creativity, humor, involuntary insomnia, and endless patience. Current Officers and Executive Council Members of MASFAA are not eligible to receive the award.

Criteria Important contribution to the financial aid profession because of a commitment in advancing the goals of the financial aid administrator. Format Recipient(s) is/are presented with an inscribed plaque by the President.

Time and Place of Presentation This award is presented by the President at the Annual Fall Conference.

Charles “Jack” Sheehan Award Past Recipients:

1988 Anne Kepler

1989 Linda Anderson

1990 Amy Nychis

1991 Barbara Tornow

1992 Charles “Jack” Sheehan

1993 Terry Hartle

1994 Duane Quinn

1995 Joe Paul Case

1996 Betsy Hicks

1997 Gerry Coutinho

1998 Elizabeth Fontaine

1999 Judy Allen

2000 William Eastwood

2001 Barney Frank

2002 Maxine Davis

2003 Eileen O’Leary

2004 M. Seamus Harreys

2005 Yvonne Gittens

2006 Kathryn Osmond

2007 Janice Dorian

2008 Bernie Pekala

2009 Edward M. Kennedy

2010 Iris Godes

2011 Gail Holt

2012 Patricia Reilly

2013 Christine McGuire

2014

2015 Tony Erwin

2016 Kelly Morrissey

2017 Monica Blondin

2018 Jill Marr

2019 Jillian Glaze

2020 Stephanie King

2021 Rebecca Cassely

2022 Shawn Morrissey

2023 Lori Gould

EDWARD M. KENNEDY PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

History: The Edward M. Kennedy Public Service Award is named in honor of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Known as the “Lion of the Senate”, Ted was elected nine times, serving a total of 47 years. Senator Kennedy was one of the most respected Massachusetts Senator in US history because of his ability to build coalitions across political party lines, and hisunfailing drive to champion the rights of the disadvantaged, through legislation concerning civil rights, healthcare, education, voting rights and labor. Financial aid professionals recognize Senator Kennedy as a champion for higher education funding. As the Chairman and longtime member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Kennedy helped shape the major federal student aid programs, including the Federal Pell Grant in 1972 and the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program in the 1990’s. Throughout his career in the Senate, Kennedy constantly fought to increase funding for student aid and opposed efforts to eliminate or cut funding. One of his highest priorities was ensuring that every American have access to high-quality education. The financial aid professionals of Massachusetts applaud his focus on the neediest and most disadvantaged. Senator Kennedy offered the assistance of his office to financial aid professionals who needed support, and frequently requested feedback and guidance from the financial aid community. He recognized financial aid professionals as a vital link between needy students and higher education. The Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators is proud to honor Senator Edward M. Kennedy with an annual award that recognizes distinguished public service. The Edward M. Kennedy Public Service Award recognizes outstanding service in the areas of student advocacy, government policy, and efforts to be an educator on issues related to student aid policy. The award honors the legacy of Senator Edward M. Kennedy by inspiring such service on the part of financial aid professionals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Purpose: The Edward M. Kennedy Public Service Award was established to recognize the sustained service as a champion for the needs and rights of the underserved and disadvantaged groups and to promote student advocacy within the financial aid profession.

Qualifications: Recipient can be an individual or an organization. Current MASFAA officers and Executive Council members are not eligible to receive the award. Criteria Important contributions in the area of public service, student advocacy, government policy or providing education on issues of student aid policy.

Time and Place of Presentation: The award is presented by the President at the Annual Fall Conference.

Edward M. Kennedy Award Past Recipients

2010 Dallas Martin

2011 Joseph Russo

2012 Joe Paul Case

2013 NA

2014 NA

2015 Bridget Lynch

2016 Paul Combe

2017 Eileen O’Leary (awarded at the 2016 YE event)

2018 NA

2019 Betsey Mayotte, TISLA

2020 Robin Montalvo, Assumption University

2021 Jodi Conway

2022 Clantha McCurdy, Massachusetts DHE

2023 NA

MASFAA VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Purpose: To recognize outstanding commitment and contribution to a MASFAA volunteer during the past year.

Qualifications: Awardees must be a MASFAA member who has served as a volunteer on a MASFAA committee, either standing or ad hoc. Current Executive Council Members and Chairpersons of MASFAA are not eligible to receive the award. Must be nominated by a committee Chairperson or Executive Council member. Criteria Important contribution(s) to MASFAA through committee work. Format Recipient will be presented with an inscribed plaque.

Time and Place of Presentation :This award is presented at the final MASFAA function for the year.

Volunteer of the Year Award Past Recipients:

2003 Martha Johnson, Technology

2004 Jo Corro, GEAR UP

2005 Jason Shumaker, PD&T

2006 Jason Burke, PD&T; Anne Marie Juckins, Conference

2007 Dadizi Baker Cummings, Conference; Lisa Kyranos, PD&T

2008 Jan Marie Combs, Just The Facts & Conference; Michelle Clifton, Membership & Conference 77

2009 Sheila Hoffstedt, GPCC

2010 Jill D’Amico, Early Awareness

2011 Joanne Dashiell, PD&T; Longino Alex Gonzalez, Early Awareness & Outreach Committee

2012 Zack Goodwin, PD&T and Government Relations; Karensa MacGregor, General MASFAA Support

2013 Beth Feinberg Keenan, FAFSA Day

2020 Jeff Bentley, Membership and Technology,

2020 Sarah Bergeron, Membership and Technology

2020 Ben Parsons, Early Awareness and Outreach

2021

2022 Natacha Munoz, Financial Wellness Education

2023 Melissa Metcalf, Conference Committee and overall MASFAA support
2023 Jessica Sabourin, Carnival of Learning

MERITORIUS SERVICE AWARD

Purpose: This award is for an individual that has made an exceptional contribution to the profession or higher education in general, while maintaining a demonstrated commitment to MASFAA and its members. The selection is based on leadership at the regional or national level or for work on special projects with a far-reaching impact on the financial aid profession. Nominees may be financial aid administrators or people from related fields who merit consideration. This award is presented on an optional basis (not required to be awarded each year), to recognize an exceptional contribution to the profession.

Qualifications: Nominees may be financial aid administrators or people from related fields who merit consideration. This award is presented on an optional basis (not required to be awarded each year), to recognize an exceptional contribution to the profession.

Criteria: Important regional or national contribution to the financial aid profession and demonstrated commitment to MASFAA.

Format: Recipient is presented with an inscribed plaque by the President. Recipients are added to MASFAA’s lifetime membership roster.