UMACS (Re)Cognition Awards
Congratulations to our 2026 (Re)Cognition Award Winners!
UMACS Leader: Jon Jensen, Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities, Luther College
Administrator: Bryan Herrmann, Vice Chancellor of Finance & Facilities, University of Minnesota - Morris
Educator: Derek Larson, Professor of Environmental Studies & History, College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University
Staff Member: Rachel Schauer, Office of Sustainability Initiative Program Manager, University of St. Thomas
Emerging Graduate Leader: Taryn Davis, Graduate Student, Black Hills State University
Emerging Undergraduate Leader: Farren Groom, Undergraduate Student, Carleton College
About the UMACS (Re)Cognition Awards
This award was created to honor the late Jim Farrell, Professor of History, American studies, and Environmental Studies at St. Olaf College. Before his passing in 2013, Jim tirelessly advocated for advancing sustainability work in the Upper Midwest. Jim's love of wordplay serves as the inspiration for the name of this award, which is meant to recognize individuals who help us re-think and re-imagine what is possible as we seek to catalyze solutions to everyday issues - just as Jim did so well.
Recipients will display Jim’s passion for enriching their campus and/or community sustainability efforts, inspiring others to consider the impact of their daily actions, and leading on-going change. Please consider nominating recipients worthy of re(cognition) in each of the following categories:
Recipients will display Jim’s passion for enriching their campus and/or community sustainability efforts, inspiring others to consider the impact of their daily actions, and leading on-going change. Please consider nominating recipients worthy of re(cognition) in each of the following categories:
EDUCATOR
Nominees for this category are faculty who have made significant contributions to their campus and/or community’s sustainability efforts through outstanding instruction and mentorship. Worthy recipients incorporate sustainability and exemplify sustainable behaviors in their research, course content, and green teaching practices. With humility and dedication to lifelong learning, these faculty members acknowledge their ability to learn from their pupils through collaboration.
STAFF
Nominees for this category are staff who have made significant contributions to their campus and/or community’s sustainability efforts through exemplary work. Worthy recipients incorporate sustainable practices and principles into their daily efforts. Through direct leadership or by example, these staff members inspire others to consider the complex environmental, social, and economic implications of their choices.
UMACS LEADER
Awardees for this category are nominated and selected by the UMACS Board of Directors to honor and celebrate individuals who have either advanced the work of UMACS as an organization and/or helped to advance sustainability across the region. If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please reach out directly to a UMACS Board Member.
Nominees for this category are faculty who have made significant contributions to their campus and/or community’s sustainability efforts through outstanding instruction and mentorship. Worthy recipients incorporate sustainability and exemplify sustainable behaviors in their research, course content, and green teaching practices. With humility and dedication to lifelong learning, these faculty members acknowledge their ability to learn from their pupils through collaboration.
STAFF
Nominees for this category are staff who have made significant contributions to their campus and/or community’s sustainability efforts through exemplary work. Worthy recipients incorporate sustainable practices and principles into their daily efforts. Through direct leadership or by example, these staff members inspire others to consider the complex environmental, social, and economic implications of their choices.
UMACS LEADER
Awardees for this category are nominated and selected by the UMACS Board of Directors to honor and celebrate individuals who have either advanced the work of UMACS as an organization and/or helped to advance sustainability across the region. If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please reach out directly to a UMACS Board Member.
ADMINISTRATOR
Nominees for this category are administrators who have made significant contributions to their campus and/or community’s sustainability efforts through outstanding leadership. Worthy recipients have a vision for a more sustainable future to which they lead their community by example. They help us rethink our traditionally hierarchical relationships such that we become better collaborators. Through tireless advocacy, these individuals embody Jim's dedication to advancing sustainability.
EMERGING LEADERS
Nominees for this category are students who demonstrate innovative and creative leadership in addressing sustainability issues on campus and/or in the community. One undergraduate student and one graduate student will receive the Emerging Leader award each year.
Worthy recipients enhance sustainability efforts on campus or in their community through coursework, participation in student groups or service projects, extracurricular activity, volunteerism, or other avenues. Through their drive to create positive change, these students inspire others to follow suit.
Nominees for this category are administrators who have made significant contributions to their campus and/or community’s sustainability efforts through outstanding leadership. Worthy recipients have a vision for a more sustainable future to which they lead their community by example. They help us rethink our traditionally hierarchical relationships such that we become better collaborators. Through tireless advocacy, these individuals embody Jim's dedication to advancing sustainability.
EMERGING LEADERS
Nominees for this category are students who demonstrate innovative and creative leadership in addressing sustainability issues on campus and/or in the community. One undergraduate student and one graduate student will receive the Emerging Leader award each year.
Worthy recipients enhance sustainability efforts on campus or in their community through coursework, participation in student groups or service projects, extracurricular activity, volunteerism, or other avenues. Through their drive to create positive change, these students inspire others to follow suit.
INSTRUCTIONS
Nominators will provide their contact information, affiliation, the capacity in which they know the nominee, the category to which they are being nominated, and contact information for the nominee. Nominators will answer three questions about the nominee:
Applications are closed for 2026 (see winners above)! Stay tuned for our 2027 applications.
Nominators will provide their contact information, affiliation, the capacity in which they know the nominee, the category to which they are being nominated, and contact information for the nominee. Nominators will answer three questions about the nominee:
- How does this person incorporate sustainability into their work, teaching practices, leadership, or projects?
- How does this person inspire others to consider the environmental, social, and economical implications of their choices?
- What significant contributions has this person made to their campus and/or community sustainability efforts?
Applications are closed for 2026 (see winners above)! Stay tuned for our 2027 applications.
UMACS (Re)Cognition Award Recipients
2025 AWARD WINNERS
UMACS Leader: Troy Goodnough, Sustainability Director, University of Minnesota-Morris
Administrator: President Alison Byerly, President, Carleton College
Educator: Clement Loo, Student Success Coordinator; Equity, Diversity, and Intercultural Programs and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, University of Minnesota-Morris
Staff Member: Madison Vandersee, Assistant Program Coordinator, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Emerging Undergraduate Leader: Isabella Totten, Undergraduate Student, Grinnell College
Emerging Graduate Leader: Elise Monson, Graduate Student, Bemidji State University
Administrator: President Alison Byerly, President, Carleton College
Educator: Clement Loo, Student Success Coordinator; Equity, Diversity, and Intercultural Programs and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, University of Minnesota-Morris
Staff Member: Madison Vandersee, Assistant Program Coordinator, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Emerging Undergraduate Leader: Isabella Totten, Undergraduate Student, Grinnell College
Emerging Graduate Leader: Elise Monson, Graduate Student, Bemidji State University
2024 AWARD WINNERS
Administrator: James Goblirsch, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management, Winona State University
Educator: Andrea Hicks, Director of Sustainability Education and Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Educator: David O'Hara, Augustana University, Director of Sustainability and Environmental Studies
Staff Member: Dave Barbier, Sustainability Director, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Emerging Undergraduate Leader: Hannah Stahmann, Undergraduate Intern, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Emerging Graduate Leader: Sydney McGuine, Graduate Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Educator: Andrea Hicks, Director of Sustainability Education and Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Educator: David O'Hara, Augustana University, Director of Sustainability and Environmental Studies
Staff Member: Dave Barbier, Sustainability Director, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Emerging Undergraduate Leader: Hannah Stahmann, Undergraduate Intern, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Emerging Graduate Leader: Sydney McGuine, Graduate Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
2023 AWARD WINNERS
Administrator: Grace Crickette, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Educator: Chris Comstock, Faculty, South Dakota State University
Staff Member: Mark Klapatch-Mathias, Communication Studies Program Director, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Emerging Undergraduate Leader: Caleb Swanson, Undergraduate Student, University of South Dakota
Emerging Graduate Leader: Audrey Stanton, Graduate Project Assistant, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Educator: Chris Comstock, Faculty, South Dakota State University
Staff Member: Mark Klapatch-Mathias, Communication Studies Program Director, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Emerging Undergraduate Leader: Caleb Swanson, Undergraduate Student, University of South Dakota
Emerging Graduate Leader: Audrey Stanton, Graduate Project Assistant, University of Wisconsin–Madison
2021 AWARD WINNERS
Administrator: Eric O’Brien, Director of Sustainability, University of Northern Iowa
Educator: Beth Mercer-Taylor, Sustainability Education Coordinator, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Staff Member: Martha Larson, Manager of Campus Energy and Sustainability, Carleton College
Emerging Leader: Anna Moore, Graduate Student, University of South Dakota
Educator: Beth Mercer-Taylor, Sustainability Education Coordinator, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Staff Member: Martha Larson, Manager of Campus Energy and Sustainability, Carleton College
Emerging Leader: Anna Moore, Graduate Student, University of South Dakota
2019 AWARD WINNERS
Administrator: Fred Rogers, Vice President and Treasurer, Carleton College
Educator: Jim Zaffiro, Faculty, Central College
Staff: Erika Bailey-Johnson, Sustainability Director, Bemidji State University
Emerging Leader: Anna Haynes, Student, Bemidji State University
Educator: Jim Zaffiro, Faculty, Central College
Staff: Erika Bailey-Johnson, Sustainability Director, Bemidji State University
Emerging Leader: Anna Haynes, Student, Bemidji State University
2017 AWARD WINNERS
Administrator: Jacquie Johnson, Chancellor Emeritus, University of Minnesota- Morris
Educator: Ana Munro, North Hennepin Community College
Operations: Mike Lubberden, Central College
Emerging Leader: Alex Miller, Carleton College
Educator: Ana Munro, North Hennepin Community College
Operations: Mike Lubberden, Central College
Emerging Leader: Alex Miller, Carleton College
2015 AWARD WINNER
Lowell Rasmussen, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Facilities, University of Minnesota- Morris