Friend of the Gifted Award

    The MEGT State Board has a long history of honoring people who have contributed to the field of gifted education in Minnesota with the "Friend of the Gifted Award." The board determines if the award will be presented or if more than one person will receive an award that year.

     Nominate Someone Today

    Nominees must meet these three criteria:

    1. Show long-term support of the gifted

    2. Have a broad-ranging impact

    3. Currently reside in Minnesota

    Nomination Timeline:

    Call for nominations will be issued in the summer. 

    All nominations due to the MEGT state board by October 1st of each year.

    Elected MEGT board members discuss the candidates and vote on the nominee(s) to be honored that year.

    The president sends the award recipient(s) a letter of congratulations and an invitation to attend the annual midwinter conference. The selected recipient(s) are announced at the annual conference, where they are presented with their award and lifetime membership in the state organization. The recipient(s) have an opportunity to address the audience at that time.

    Recipients of the MEGT Friend of the Gifted Award

    2026
    Nominate someone you know who has made a lasting difference to the gifted community!

    2025
    Carol Malueg
    Cori Paulet

    2024
    Teresa Boatman

    2023
    Deborah L. Ruf, PhD

    2022
    Wendy Behrens

    2021
    Tania Lyon

    2020
    No Award Given

    2019
    LaShawn Ray

    2018
    No Award Given

    2017
    Sue Karp
    Pam Pearson
    Mary Ann Rotondi

    2016
    Maggie Smith
    Lew Aase
    Janel Horner

    2015
    Dr. Richard Cash
    Pam McDonald

    2014
    Jeanne Simmonds
    John Alberts

    2013
    Sue Feigal-Hitch
    Bill Keilty

    2012
    Jessica Wiley

    2011
    Linda Roth

    2010
    Dr. Karen Westberg

    2009
    Dr. Diane Heacox

    2008
    Stephen Bechtold
    Kris Hasland
    Jackie Royer

    2007
    Sandra Cordie
    Dr. Stephen Schroeder-Davis

    2006
    Juliana Kottke

    2005
    Renie Willard

    2004
    Julia Espe

    2003
    Jan Baker
    Mary Hart

    2002
    Sheila Ehrich
    Jane Keyes

    2001
    Candi Bell
    Judy Galbraith
    Dorothy Haugee
    Sarah Noonan

    2000
    Joel Anderson
    Robert Jernberg
    Elaine Chirhart
    Sen. Paul Wellstone

    1999
    Nancy Whiteside
    Dr. Karen Rogers

    1998
    Senator Jane Krentz
    Rep. Mindy Greiling

    1997
    June Hendrickson
    Palma Sirr
    Betty Johnson