AWW recognized the following Award Winners for 2014.
Francine Hutchinson and Michael Freeman accept the 2014 Stepping Up for AWW awards
Mike Mullen Award
This award recognizes the individual who turned in more data records than any other monitor during the past year. A few years back, AWW decided to name the award after Michael Mullen, who consistently ranks at the top of the AWW list when it comes to data records, as a way to recognize his dedication (and because he really can’t be beat!). This past year Mike submitted 427 records!! That is more than a record a day – way to go Mike!
The recipient of the Mike Mullen Award for 2014 is Kaye Christian.
- Kaye Christian is the Mike Mullen Award winner,
submitting the most data records in 2014.
Kaye submitted 126 records in the past year! She was certified as a chemistry and bacteriological water monitor in 2012 and has been instrumental in watershed protection in the Auburn area as the Parkerson Mill Creek Watershed Management Project Coordinator. Her monitoring has helped Auburn University and city officials to identify and repair local problems. She has also worked hard to involve Auburn University students in water monitoring. Yea Kaye!
Group of the Year Award
The Group of the Year award recognizes the group that has turned in the most data during the past year. The 2014 winner is the Coastal Plains Streams Water Watch. This group includes Mike and Alice Mullen and a few others who join from time to time. The amount of testing they do is incredible and extremely valuable to their region. Mike is the Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper, an AWW Trainer, and a member and longtime supporter of the AWW Association. This year the Coastal Plains Streams Water Watch submitted a total of 444 records – way to go!
Coming in a close second we had the RSVP Marshall County group with 380 records, and Wolf Bay Watershed Watch with 363 took third place.
Trainer of the Year
The Trainer of the Year award recognizes the volunteer trainer who has conducted the most workshops during the past year. For at least the second year in a row this honor is given to Homer Singleton. Homer has been a trainer since 2007 and does most of his training down on the Coast where he is a member of the Wolf Bay Watershed Watch. He is a great trainer and dedicated supporter of AWW. He is always ready to fill in a need for AWW training whether he has 2 or 20 students. We appreciate you, Homer!
Stepping Up for AWW Award
This year AWW presented two special “Stepping Up for AWW” awards to recognize individuals who have taken their involvement with AWW to a new level during the past year.
Francine Hutchinson has been involved with AWW since 1995 and has always been a great supporter of the program. Over the past year she has stepped up her involvement with AWW by greatly increasing her contribution as an AWW trainer. Just since January 2014 she has conducted 5 workshops! She has also become an Advisory Member of the AWWA, where she brings a great deal of expertise and know-how to the table.
Michael Freeman has been involved with AWW since 2009 as a monitor. This past year he stepped up his involvement with AWW by beginning the process of becoming an AWW Trainer. He has also become an Advisory Board Member of the AWWA where he has taken a leadership position on revamping the membership and fundraising approach of AWWA. Michael has a great deal of experience with other nonprofits, and is filling in a needed gap for the AWWA.
Thanks Francine and Michael for stepping it up!!! You’re great examples of volunteer spirit!