Awards & Recognition

The purpose of the Debbie Regnone Service Award is to recognize commitment to and excellence in service to RCRA and its members.
A nominee must:

• be a member of RCRA for no less than 5 years;
• be employed for no less than 5 years in the field of commercial recreation;
• be active in RCRA committees and on Board assignments;
• make valuable professional contributions outside the Association;
• perform exemplary service to the Association.

Award Winners:
2012 – Kate Biava
2011 – Gary Bleil
2010 – Kari Bowman
2009 – Daniel Merenick
2008 – Lisa Jenkins

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The purpose of the RCRA Howard Uibel Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognize significant contributions to the Association and the profession through dedicated service.
A nominee must:

• be a member of RCRA for no less than 5 years;
• be employed for no less than 5 years as a college/university professor or professional recreation and park executive, administrator, supervisor, director, leader or specialist in the field of commercial recreation;
• be of fine moral character;
• have won the Debbie Regnone Service Award;
• held an elected office in RCRA and/or allied state or national organization;
• have chaired or been a member of an RCRA or allied state/national committee;
• be actively speaking, writing articles, researching or authoring in the field of commercial recreation.

Award Winners:
2010 – Sally Evans
2009 – Bruce Boliver
2008 – Amanda Felts

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The purpose of the RCRA Fellow Award is to recognize an individual who has consistently contributed to the well-being of the Association and the industry of commercial recreation for a significant period of time such that they are considered to be one of the top professionals in the field.
A nominee must:

• be a member of RCRA for no less than 5 years;
• be employed for no less than 10 years as a professional recreation and park executive, administrator, supervisor, director, leader or specialist in the field of commercial recreation, or as a college/university educator;
• have served as an elected officer of RCRA;
• received the RCRA Achievement Award at least 2 years prior to consideration for the Fellow Award;
• and have rendered special service to RCRA (e.g. committee chair, professional writing, speaking, research).

Award Winner:
2012 – Bruce Boliver
2008 – Lisa Linden

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The purpose of the Premier Recreation Operation Award is to recognize recreation operations/departments that have displayed outstanding leadership in the development and promotion of quality recreation programs and services. Nominations may be made based on the number of guest rooms or properties your department serves:

• 800 Guest Rooms/Properties or more
• 300 – 799 Guest Rooms/Properties
• 299 Guest Rooms/Properties or less

Award Winners:
2012 – Kiawah Island Golf Resort (300-799) and Atlantis Paradise Island (800+)
2011 – Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, FL
– Sheraton Vistana Resort, Orlando, FL
2010 – Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, FL
– Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island, SC
– Diamond Resorts International – Grand Beach, Orlando, FL
2009 – Kiawah Island Golf Resort
2008 – Kiawah Island Golf Resort

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The purpose of the Excellence in Programming Award is to pay tribute to professional(s) or student(s) who have created and implemented a special, unique, and innovative program that has brought special recognition, significant increase in guest/student satisfaction, contributed to the betterment of the community, and/or increased profitability to the member’s property or educational institution. Nominated programs are judged on the following:

• program goals
• synopsis and duration
• supplies required
• number of participants
• promotional materials
• uniqueness
• ease of reproduction
• value
• staffing efficiency
• presentation

Award Winners:
2012 – H&A Productions
2011 – Kiawah Island Golf Resort, The “Turtle’s Nest” Program
2010 – Sheraton Vistana Resort, Orlando, FL
2009 – Atlantis Paradise Island for Miss Teen Program
2008 – Starwood Hotel Resorts for “Love Your Family” program

Click Here To Nominate

The purpose of the Excellence in Research Award is to recognize the valuable contribution of a selected piece of research that is presented at the RCRA Research Symposium. All research abstracts submitted for the symposium are evaluated by a blind peer review process.

Award Winners:
2011 – Dr. Godwin Charles-Ogbeide – University of Arkansas
2010 – Dr. Sheila Scott-Halsell – Oklahoma State University
2009 – Dr. Eric Brey – University of Memphis
2008 – Dr. Patrick Tierney – San Francisco State University

The purpose of the Outstanding Student Award is to recognize and pay tribute to the student or intern member who has worked to make a positive contribution to the Association, his/her property, or university/college.
A nominee must:

• be a current member of RCRA;
• be currently enrolled at a college/university or be on a university/college internship at an RCRA member property;
• have made a significant and positive impact at his/her school or internship location

Award Winners:
2012 – Sarah Gracie Turner – Texas A&M
2011 – Meg Czambel – Slippery Rock University
2010 – Monica Shaw – Slippery Rock University
2009 – Meaghan March – Slippery Rock University
2008 – Emily Savko – Slippery Rock University

Click Here To Nominate

Purpose: To recognize commitment to and excellence in the delivery of education for the commercial recreation profession.
A nominee must:

• Be a member of RCRA for no less than 3 years
• Be currently employed for no less than 5 years at a College/University
• Have made a significant and positive impact at his/her College/University
• Encourages students to participate in RCRA and is involved in their academic growth, internship experience and professional development

Award Winners:
2011 – Scott Rood – Grand Valley State University
2009 – Mary Wisnom – Florida Gulf Cost University
2008 – Bruce Boliver – Slippery Rock University

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Purpose: To reward the energies of a “new” professional and to recognize individual efforts and impact in a managerial / leadership position at their property.
A nominee must:

• Be a RCRA member in good standing
• Hold a supervisory level job
• Have been hired or promoted to position within 2 years or less from date of October 2009.
• Have established impacts on profit, increased program attendance, guest satisfaction, property marketability or other related items.

Award Winners:
2012 – Ally DeShurko
2011 – Pam Petcash
2008 – Scott Rood – Grand Valley State University

Nicknamed the “Carrot Award.” Given to a professional for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the growth of this association through creative ideas, promotional efforts, and continued support.

Award Winners:
2012 – Lisa Linden
2011 – Alison Jenks & Emily Savko
2010 – Lisa Jennings
2009 – Scott Rood
2008 – Daniel Merenick
2007 – Kate Price

• Staci Hughes – Slippery Rock University
• Elicia Louise Merwin – Brigham Young University
• Sharon Pao  – Brigham Young University

• Amanda Barkema – Western Illinois University
• Mercedes Hunt – San Francisco State University
• Chelsey Stegmaier – Indiana University
• Kristina Ricketts – Slippery Rock University
• Jaclyn Wombacker – Slippery Rock University
• Cody Smith – Central Washington University

• Kayla Konz – University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
• Tracy Reynolds – Illinois State University
• Chelsea Mosher – SUNY Brockport
• Cathleen Swartz – SUNY Brockport
• Monica Shaw – Slippery Rock University
• Alyssa Virgin – Slippery Rock University
• Cara Costik – Slippery Rock University
• Jessica Koerner – Slippery Rock University

Click Here To Nominate