Honors and Awards

Since 1964, NACUA has honored individuals in higher education law. The NACUA honors and awards program is a well-respected and time-honored tradition that ensures the acknowledgement of those who have dedicated their service to advancing the effective practice of higher education attorneys. Honored recipients are conferred awards including: Distinguished Service, First Decade, Life Member, Fellow, and Honorary Member. The Call for Awards is released in February of each year.

NACUA congratulates all honorees who have worked to advance the profession of higher education law. They are honored each year at the annual conference’s Honors and Awards Ceremony.

2010 – 2011 Award Recipients

Distinguished Service Award

• Clayton D. Steadman (Awarded Posthumously)
  General Counsel, Clemson University


• Michael Weston
  Vice President and General Counsel, Northwestern University (Retired)

Life Membership

• Elsa Cole
  Vice President of Legal Affairs/General Counsel (Former), National Collegiate Athletic Association


• Robert Haverkamp
  Associate General Counsel (Retired), The Ohio State University


• Kaye Koonce
  General Counsel and Sr. Vice President (Retired), Trident Technical College


• Peter Ruger
  General Counsel, Southern Illinois University (Retired); Senior Lecturer in Law, Washington University in St. Louis

First Decade Award

• Christopher Holmes
  Assistant General Counsel, Baylor University