| Minnesota Genealogical Society 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Suite 100 |
Service & Achievement Awards
The Minnesota Genealogical Society presents annual awards to honor the outstanding efforts of our volunteers in six categories. The first three awards are reserved for MGS members, while the remaining categories are open to any qualifying individual.
Nominations open in mid-summer, and recipients are recognized at the North Star Conference each fall.
f you would like to nominate someone, please submit their nomination at https://mngs.org/Recognition before September 20, 2025.
Past Award Recipients
| Chandler Award | Unsung Hero Award | Founders Award | Pioneer Award | North Star Award | Ambassador Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Jan Magnuson | Roxanne Sabean Peg Stainer | Mike Amidon | MGS Research Committee | Bob Johnson | Chelley Brekke McLear |
| 2023 | Margie Deutsch | Mark Hartnett | Jeanne Bilke-Rodenbiker | Mica Anders | Sue Kratsch | Cinda Baxter |
| 2022 | Denny Kalvig | Suzan Ford | J. H. Fonkert Elizabeth Gomoll | Kathleen MJ Swanson | Kathy Lund | Sue Kratsch |
| 2021 | Bert Jones | Walt Rothwell | Shirleen Hoffman | Rebecca Snyder | Lois Mackin | J. H. Fonkert |
| 2020 | Rick Rusinak | Barb Minor | Jan-Marie McCabe | Joel Watne | Robert Johnson | Elizabeth Gomoll |
| 2019 | Kristie Strum | Walker MacBeath | Winnie Fernstrom | Karen Finne | Heather Mullen | Joanne Sher |
| 2018 | Melva Cain | Bert Jones | Linda Westrom | Frederick L. Johnson | Vicki Young Albu | Valerie Eichler Lair |
| 2017 | Bob Rowe | Barb Fonkert | J. H. Fonkert | Paula Stuart-Warren | Elizabeth Gomoll | Kim Ashford Kent Cutkomp |
| 2016 | John Schade | Frances Hillier | Alfred Dahlquist | Ann Eccles | Sandy Thalman | |
| 2015 | Sandy Stadtherr | Jack Bergerson | David Inman | Susan Hunter Weir | Jim Neuenfeldt | |
| 2014 | Arlene Fenning | Bob Rowe | Jere Mackin | JoEllen Haugo | Rosemary Riffenach | Linda Coffin |
| 2013 | Bergetta Monroe | Rick Rusinak | Lois Mackin | Duane Swanson | Sue Kratsch | Jennifer de Fiebre |
| 2012 | Sheila Northrop | Valerie Morrison | Terry Kita | Debra Richardson | J. H. Fonkert | Paula Stuart-Warren |
| 2011 | Beth Mullinax | Sandy Stadtherr | Mary Wickersham | Jennifer de Fiebre | Lois Mackin | J. H. Fonkert |
| 2010 | Margie Deutsch | MGS Technology Committee | Erv Chorn | John & Jan Dalby | Cathi Weber | Alice Eicholz |
| 2009 | Dixie Hansen | Jim Robasse | John Schade | Kathryn Otto | Tom Rice | Harold Hinds, Jr. |
| 2008 | Kathy Lund | Gerald Maher | Robin Panlener | Mary Bakeman | Darlene Joyce | Paula Stuart-Warren |