Honorary membership is conferred by the Board of Trustees on those individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to ACUI. Honorary members are granted all rights and privileges as defined by the ACUI Constitution, with the added privilege that their annual dues will be waived and that their annual conference registration fee will be reduced.
Normally reserved for those retiring from the profession, on appropriate occasions, it may be awarded to non-union personnel whose efforts have served to enhance the Association and the college union idea, or to a professional who has rendered exceptional service but has left the profession in pursuit of other careers.
ACUI is no longer accepting nominations for this award. Please check back in 2024 for information about the next nomination period.
2023 Recipient: Gary Chrzastowski
Gary Chrzastowski never shys away from sharing his time and talent to benefit others. Be it through his role on the Education Council, service on the Host Team for IPDS: New Professional Orientation, or work advancing ACUI’s corporate partnerships and Facility Design Awards program, Chrzastowski’s influence can be noted throughout the organization. And that is the same of his time at Indiana University’s Memorial Union, where he assisted with daily operations, including the $10 million renovation of the dining services area. Chrzastowski will retire in 2023 after more than 40 years in the profession.
2023 Recipient: mark Day
Mark Day inspired his colleagues, especially those in Region 15 who watched him lead the charge on numerous programs. Day was a student leader, regional director, and Board of Trustees member over the years, and he served on several committees. Day was passionate about College Bowl, working to grow the program within ACUI; and he was instrumental in the creation of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. Day always shared his wit and humour through his work with the Association. Day will retire from Laguna College of Art + Design in 2023 after more than 30 years in the profession.
2023 Recipient: Michael Ellington
Michael Ellington was passionate about growing the profession and the Association—always welcoming students and new professionals at ACUI events. After starting with ACUI as a student representative in 1986, Ellington’s volunteer roles for ACUI ranged from Region 4 Conference chair to serving on the Committee for Multi-Ethnic Programs—and that just names a few. His historical knowledge of the Association was appreciated greatly during his time on the 100th Anniversary Celebration Task Force. On campus, Ellington served West Virginia University in many roles that allowed him to impact students and their experience. Ellington retired in August 2022 after more than 40 years in the profession.
2023 Recipient: Krista Harrell
Krista Harrell worked for the betterment of ACUI. Through her many volunteer roles, including the Board of Trustees, Harrell shared her knowledge, skills, and drive to make change, recruit new members and volunteers, and strengthen the organization. At the University of South Alabama, Harrell worked tirelessly to advance community and create an inclusive, safe environment. And she used her experience and passion to develop future generations of college union professionals—through her work on campus and in ACUI. Harrell serves as a mentor and friend to many ACUI colleagues. Harrell left the field to pursue new opportunities in December 2022 after nearly 20 years in the profession.
2023 Recipient: Sharon “Chickie” Silverstein
Sharon “Chickie” Silverstein cares deeply about her students, her colleagues, and her association—ACUI. Silverstein’s list of volunteer service is long, including regional and international positions, roles on the Board of Trustees and with Conference Program Teams, and College Bowl. Through these roles, Silverstein was a “worker bee,” diving into projects, focusing on what needed to be done, and inspiring others along the way. Her energy, dedication, and level of care is infectious—both within ACUI and on campus. Silverstein will retire from Suffolk Community College in 2023 after more than 30 years in the profession.