2021 Association Award Recipients
At the 1953 Annual Conference of the National University Extension Association (NUEA), which was the forerunner of UPCEA, Robert Browne of the University of Illinois gave a speech honoring Tom Shelby, retiring Dean of the Division of Extension at the University of Texas. Browne conferred on Shelby the FX Key in honor of service to extension. Engraved on the key was “Fellow of Extension,” the year, and the Association’s initials. This was the first recognition award given by the Association.
The Association’s Awards Program has grown to include Association-wide, Community of Practice, and Regional Awards. Through these awards, UPCEA recognizes its members’ outstanding contributions to the Association and the field, as well as their achievements in innovative programming, marketing and promotion, community development, and services, research and publications, and many other areas.
To the following recipients of this year’s awards and honors, UPCEA extends its congratulations.
Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership
The Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership is the most prestigious of all UPCEA awards. First established in 1965, the award is given to an individual in recognition of unusual and extraordinary contributions to the cause of continuing education on the regional, national, and/or international level. The award honors the memory of Julius M. Nolte, a pioneer in the field of continuing higher education. Nolte served as Dean of General Extension at the University of Minnesota from 1934–1962. He served as NUEA President in 1950–51, and was Secretary/Treasurer of the Association from 1956 to 1964.
Christina Sax
Maryland University of Integrative Health
Walton S. Bittner Service Citation for Outstanding Service in UPCEA
The purpose of the Walton S. Bittner Service Citation is to express appreciation to a member for outstanding service professional, continuing, and/or online education at his/her institution, and service of major significance to UPCEA. The award is not necessarily given each year.
Lisa Verma
Louisiana State University Online & Continuing Education
Adelle F. Robertson Emerging Professional Continuing Educator Award
The Adelle F. Robertson Emerging Professional Continuing Educator Award recognizes the scholarship, leadership and contributions to the profession of an outstanding continuing professional educator who has entered the field within the past five to 10 years. The Award is dedicated to the memory of Adelle Robertson, whose career in continuing education spanned 30 years. Robertson served as a member of UPCEA’s Board of Directors from 1979–1985 and as President from 1983–1984. Robertson set a standard of excellence in her own pursuits and inspired others to seek excellence in theirs.
Katie Linder
Kansas State University Global Campus
UPCEA Leadership in Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Award
The UPCEA Leadership in Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Award recognizes an individual or a program that represents best practices and demonstrates positive impact in promoting cultural shift in the organization that promotes diversity and inclusive excellence.
Bhaskar Pant
MIT Professional Education
Phillip E. Frandson Award for Literature
The Phillip E. Frandson Award for Literature recognizes the author and publisher of an outstanding work of continuing higher education literature. It is given in memory of Phillip E. Frandson, Dean of Extension, University of California, Los Angeles, and NUEA President, 1977–78.
Michelle R. Weise
Strada Education Network, Inc.
Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs That Don't Even Exist Yet
UPCEA Excellence in Teaching Award
The UPCEA Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to individuals who have provided outstanding teaching, course development, mentoring of students, and service to continuing education. This award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to credit or non-credit programs and who have provided inspirational teaching to continuing education students.
Athena Owen Nagel
Mississippi State University
UPCEA Outstanding Professional, Continuing, and/or Online Education Student: Credit Award
The Outstanding Professional, Continuing, and/or Online Education Student: Credit Award recognizes outstanding student achievement in professional and continuing education.
Javier Cuadras
University of Pennsylvania
College of Liberal and Professional Studies