Mary McCannel Gunkelman Recognition Award
The Mary McCannel Gunkelman Recognition Award was established in January 1987, by the late John L. Gunkelman and his family in memory of Mrs. Gunkelman, who was a 1942 graduate of the College of Home Economics.
The purpose of this award is to honor the late Mary McCannel Gunkelman whose life, from the time she was a student on the campus of NDSU and throughout her unselfish life as a wife, mother, and active citizen in the Fargo-Moorhead community, found greatest expression and satisfaction in her contributions in creating an atmosphere of happiness for others to enjoy.
Mary was firmly dedicated to the principle that a student would be more apt to attain his or her full potential if he or she were working and living in an enjoyable environment. She further believed that the more enjoyable the campus and programs of NDSU, the better university it would be in the future.
It is in the firm endorsement of Mary’s belief that this award was established and continues today.
2026 Gunkelman Award Winner
Emma Ann McKenzie, a human development and family science major, is the 2026 recipient of the Mary McCannel Gunkelman Recognition Award.
Previous Gunkelman Award Recipients
Congratulations to all past recipients. Thanks for your significant and unselfish contributions and helping create a happy environment for the enjoyment of NDSU students.
2025 Recipient: Chutikun “Chuti” Kanjanaruch
2024 Recipient: Jim Kirsch
2023 Recipient: Deb Hofer
2022 Recipient: Krystal Grieger
2021 Recipient: Susan Council
2020 Recipient: Edward Deckard
2019 Recipient: Meghan Yerhot
2018 Recipient: Matthew Skoy
2017 Recipient: Gabriel Eronmosele
2016 Recipient: Suzan J. Wolter
2015 Recipient: Ronda Klubben
2014 Recipient: LaVon S. Whipple
2013 Recipient: Kimberly Buckley
2012 Recipient: Noah D. McBroom
2011 Recipient: Christopher Suriano
2010 Recipient: Catherine Gronland
2009 Recipient: Theresa Anderson
2008 Recipient: David L. Berryhill
2007 Recipient: Jacinda L. Wollan
2006 Recipient: James Billups
2005 Recipient: Barbara Laschkewitsch
2004 Recipient: Aquina Beck
2003 Recipient: Donna J. Alby
2002 Recipient: Oscar Blaskowski
2001 Recipient: John Weitzel
2000 Recipient: Karen Arnell
1999 Recipient: Brenda Deckard
1998 Recipient: Lisa K. Nolan
1997 Recipient: Nick Moret
1996 Recipient: Louise Heinz
1995 Recipient: Carol Nelson
1994 Recipient: Marilyn Hetland
1993 Recipient: Nancy Stroh
1992 Recipient: Jean M. Kelly
1991 Recipient: Mary Poirier
1990 Recipient: Helga Schuschke
1989 Recipient: Joan D. Olson