NYSFAAA Awards

General Service Award

Issued to NYSFAAA members based on service for those who advance the cause of NYSFAAA, and/or the advancement of the profession within the State of New York.

Circle Award

The NYSFAAA Circle Awards are awarded to outgoing executive council members as recognition and appreciation of their service on both a state-wide and regional basis. 

Citation of Appreciation Award

Awarded to members or non-members for general activities or singular functions which have supported the goals of NYSFAAA and/or have contributed to the welfare of its members.

Father Joseph Dunne Service Award

At the 1984 NYSFAAA Council Meeting, the members of that body voted to name at least one of the NYSFAAA Service Awards in memory of the late Reverend Joseph Dunne, C.M., former Executive Vice-President of Niagara University and a "founding father" of NYSFAAA.

Annually at the NYSFAAA Conference, one Achievement Award and at least one Service Award may be presented for outstanding achievement and service to the Association. In recognition of Father Dunne's longstanding service to NYSFAAA since 1968, the Executive Council's action places great emphasis on the tremendous role which he enacted as an aid administrator and spiritual aide for Association members.

The first NYSFAAA Service Award in the name of Father Dunne was awarded at the Uniondale Marriott conference site during the days of October 21-24, 1984.

Mr. Thomas Monahan Service Award

Mr. Monahan served in the New York City Regional Office from 1969 until 1972 as a Program Officer. He represented Title IV programs in the years following the very first Higher Education Act of 1965 when those programs were in their formative stages. It was also a period of decentralization in HEW with few formal regulations. It was his ethics, integrity, and professional credibility that directed the FAOs of this state toward the purpose and intent of the legislation. Those were also the years when NYSFAAA was in its formative stages. Its first conference was in 1969 and Mr. Monahan represented the Office of Education. His emphasis on professionalism enabled the Association to embark on high standards and goals. He was also the principal trainer at NYSFAAA's first Novice Training Workshop in 1970 at Skidmore College.

NYSFAAA announced at its 18th Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs, New York, that a second Annual Service Award will be presented in memory of Tom Monahan, thus honoring his many contributions and his commitment to NYSFAAA.

Mr. George Chin Award for Leadership

NYSFAAA Founders Service Award

The New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association was organized by a group of individuals with a vision. Their purpose was to advance the cause of financial aid, advocate for higher education, and provide a professional forum for the exchange of ideas. Their work and vision led to the development of this organization that we affectionately call NYSFAAA.

Annually at the NYSFAAA conference, service awards may be presented for outstanding achievement and service to the association. Beginning in 1991, in recognition of Emory of those founders who gave of their time and vision, NYSFAAA designates the third and subsequent Service Award presented in any year to be the NYSFAAA Founders Service Award. The Service Award will be a living memorial for the Association as the Executive Council will be charged with updating the roster of past member to which this award will be forever dedicated.

The first founder to be so remembers by this award was William Troy. "Bill" Troy was involved in the early development of NYSFAAA. He served as Corresponding Secretary. Regional Councilperson, and Newsletter Editor. Moreover, he was friend and mentor to many financial aid professionals, acted as an advisor to explain the federal allocation formula for campus based funds, and trained many of our current members. Bill was especially proud of the number of financial aid professionals who worked under his tutelage and advanced to the position of director. After his retirement from SUNY College at Buffalo, Bill and his wife, Virginia, worked throughout the Buffalo area to help develop scholarships and endowment funds that allowed many students to further their education.

William Troy will be remembered as a NYSFAAA founder.

Sherwood Johnson Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award

Our Gentle Giant.

Sherwood Johnson was one of the kindest, gentlest, and caring people we ever had the privilege to call
friend and colleague. These traits were never more evident than when he was involved in welcoming
new financial aid administrators into the fold. It was evident to all who were fortunate enough to know
him that Sherwood accepted all people and that his love of students and his drive to help them succeed
was huge. He always greeted everyone with a smile and for those of us he knew well, a great big bear
hug.

He went out of his way to help students, parents, counselors, and colleagues. After graduating from
Howard University, Sherwood began his career as an Upward Bound counselor focusing on the
educational and financial needs of underserved students. He became the director at SUNY Stony Brook
later finishing his too short career as director at CUNY Brooklyn College. He spent many nights speaking
at high schools across Long Island helping families and counselors navigate the financial aid process.
A long-time volunteer at NYSFAAA Novice Training each spring, Sherwood warmly welcomed all who
attended. In classes he shared his knowledge and guidance with limitless generosity. He was a selfless
mentor and advisor to all the members of NYSFAAA. Sherwood not only brought a vast knowledge of
the profession to the new counselors, but he also shared his infectious sense of laughter and play. One
of the many endearing moments faculty and participants will always remember is the Eveready Bunny
played by Mr. Johnson at skit night (Geneseo 1991).

Sherwood was a friend to all and an example of giving of oneself for the betterment of others.
We proudly name the service award dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion in his memory.

Sister Bernadine Hayes and Rusty Hopkins Service Award

In October 2000 NYSFAAA established a new service award recognizing the significant contributions women have made to NYSFAAA (this association) by paying the highest honor to two of the most outstanding female members of our organization as chosen by our membership.

Sister Bernadine Hayes began her NYSFAAA career in the late 1960’s while at St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn. She was actively involved in early Novice Training and Guidance Counselor Outreach. She served on NYSFAAA Executive Council from the seventies to the eighties and still provides her expertise as a member of the Department of Education with her customary style, grace and positive approach. In 1983 NYSFAAA awarded her a 15th Anniversary Recognition Award, and now a new NYSFAAA Award will bear the stamp of Sister Bernie.

Mary “Rusty” Hopkins was appointed as Assistant Dean of Students at Wells College in 1960. This led to her appointment as Coordinator of Financial Aid and charter membership in NYSFAAA. She was a member of the NYSFAAA Executive council throughout the seventies and was actively involved in the Novice Training Workshop held at Wells for many years and was an exceptional role model and mentor for many. Her advocacy was also evidenced in her testimony before the NYS Senate and Assembly Committees. This new NYSFAAA Award will honor a leader whose work exemplifies the desire to assist others out of a sense of duty, rather than for personal gain, which typified Rusty Hopkins.

Starting in October 2001 at Ellenville, this award will be presented annually to a member who has provided continuing and outstanding service at the regional and statewide levels. Recipients of this award will be chosen for the quantity and quality of their service to NYSFAAA regardless of gender, race or national origin.