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.
2025 Gunkelman Award Winner
Chutikun “Chuti” Kanjanaruch, a doctoral student in NDSU’s animal sciences department, was the recipient of the 2025 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.
| 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 |