Awards and Recognition

USA-Kansas  Outstanding  Service Award

Each year USA-Kansas recognizes one member with the Outstanding Service Award. This annual award is the highest recognition the organization bestows upon an individual member. 

The Outstanding Service Award recipient has made significant contributions to the profession, demonstrated exemplary leadership, and established a meaningful impression on Kansas Education.

Individual attributes considered for the award include:

  • Innovative

  • Integrity

  • Service to others

  • Commitment to the organization

Candidates must:

  1. Be a member of USA-Kansas

  2. Demonstrate outstanding leadership and service

  3. Be nominated by their organization

Awards and Recognition

Previous USA-Kansas Outstanding Service Award Winners

1985

Leo Lake & Ferman Marsh

1986

Bob Nispel

1987

Dale Dennis

1988

Chuck Stuart

1989

Cecil Deel

1990

John Bottom

1991

Kent Hurn

1992

Howard Shuler

1993

Fred Campbell

1994

Bill Medley

1995

Tom Jerome

1996

Rosemary Kirby

1997

Sandra Terril

1998

Andy Tompkins

1999

Mike Soetaert

2000

Eliese Holt

2001

Rob Balsters

2002

Mary Devin

2003

Gerald W. Henderson

2004

Ron Wimmer & Sharon Zoellner

2005

Pat Terry

2006

John Heim

2007

Susan Sipe

2008

Sue Givens

2009

Jim Lentz

2010

Dennis Stones

2011

Ralph Beacham

2012

Jacque Feist

2013

Gene Haydock

2014

Norm Wilks

2015

Cynthia Lane

2016

Ron Vinduska

2017

Duane Dorshorst

2018

George Abel

2019

Kelly Gillespie

2020

Randy Watson

2021

Jacque Feist

2022

Stacey Green

2023

Christie Meyer

2024

David Younger

Dale Dennis Award

Dale M. Dennis Excellence in Education Award

United School Administrators of Kansas is proud to sponsor the Dale M. Dennis Excellence in Education Award. The purpose of this award is to provide schools the opportunity to recognize a senior for his/her citizenship, service, scholarship, and demonstration of self-awareness.

This award is given in honor of Dale M. Dennis, Deputy Commissioner of the Kansas State Department of Education. Mr. Dennis has given many years of service to public education and has helped provide the leadership for financial support and academic excellence in Kansas schools. Mr. Dennis was named the Distinguished Kansan of the Year for Education in 2010. Kansas City’s Business magazine also named Mr. Dennis an icon of education, citing long term dedication and commitment.