Purpose

To recognize outstanding and meritorious achievement of individuals for their work in delivering educational opportunities for all levels of individuals engaged in the delivery of public works services as well as assisting in the areas of continuing and graduate professional education for public works professionals.

Eligibility

This award recognizes individuals who are APWA members.

Selection

The Awards Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award winners.

Criteria

Applications should address the following specific criteria, which will be evaluated in the selection process.

  • Identify accomplishments in education programs—provide specific information related to the accomplishments that attest to the nominee’s positive impact in the area of continuing education and/or graduate professional programs for public works professionals at all levels
  • Describe the educational challenges and approach—provide detailed information on the originality and approach utilized to create educational programs for continuing and/or graduate professional programs. (If a published document of the program was created, it may be included as an appendix.)

Nomination Process

Individual candidates must be nominated by a member or chapter of APWA. Submissions are limited to ten pages. The ten pages do not include a letter of introduction from the chapter/nominator.

Deadline

March 3, 2025

Presentation

The award winners are presented with a plaque at the Awards Recognition Ceremony during PWX and are featured in APWA publications.

Nominate for this Award

Submission Deadline

March 3, 2025

Award Type

Member Awards

Award Winners

In 2023 the Donald C. Stone Award for Excellence in Education was changed to the Excellence in Education Award.

2024
Gary Browning, Operations Administrator, City of Dublin, Ohio

2023
Edward A. Gottko, Adjunct Professor, New Jersey Institute of Technology

2022
Marilee Enus, Director Technology Transfer Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire

2021
New England Chapter – Public Works Awareness Committee 

2020
John German, PE, Curriculum Director, APWA Texas Chapter, Public Works Institute of Texas

2019
Christopher Ahmadjian, PE, MBA, PhD., Associate Director, UMass Transportation Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts

Chicago Metro Chapter – City Branch

2018
James B. Martin, PE, Associate Director, ITRE; Director, NC LTAP, ITRE/North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

2017
Donna Shea, Program Director, Connecticut T2 Center, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut

Minnesota Chapter

2016
New England Chapter

2015
James H. Grothaus, PE, Senior Director of Technical Assistance and Customized Training, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota

2014
Scott A. Smith, PE, LS, Senior Design/Construction Project Manager, Norfolk Public Works, City of Norfolk, Virginia

San Diego-Imperial Counties Chapter

2013
Matt Dolan, Public Works Operations Specialist, City of West Des Moines, Iowa

Texas Chapter, Rio Grande Valley Branch

2012
Ann Johnson, PE, Director, Construction Management Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Kansas City Metro Chapter

2011
Tom Collins, Deputy Director of Public Works, Town of Natick, MA Kathleen Schaefer, CTAP Instructor, Minnesota DOT

2010
Philip Kuchler, PE, CFM, Senior Civil Engineer, City of Warrenville, Illinois