Awards & Scholarships

The Wisconsin Correctional Association is proud to recognize outstanding professionals and support continued education through our annual awards and scholarship programs.

Recognizing Excellence. Supporting the Future.

View of bookshelves filled with books in a library, seen from the aisle; fluorescent ceiling lights overhead.

WCA
Scholarships

The WCA Scholarship Program supports members—and their spouses or dependents—who are pursuing higher education.

Each year, four scholarships are awarded:

  • Two $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing degrees in criminal justice or related fields

  • Two $500 scholarships for students pursuing degrees in any field

Explore eligibility requirements and application details below.

Group of eleven people standing together in front of a Wisconsin Correctional Association backdrop at a formal event.

WCA Awards

The WCA Awards Program recognizes members for their dedication, service, and impact within the correctional field.

Awards are presented annually at the WCA Conference during the awards luncheon. Recipients are encouraged to celebrate alongside colleagues, friends, and family.

Award Categories

  • Boyd Spikerman Memorial Correctional Officer Award

    Established November 11, 1987

    This award recognizes a correctional officer, adult or juvenile, for his or her dedications to the mission goals and programs of corrections. In addition to performing his or her job each day with a high level of professionalism, this person brings credit and honor to the profession. Examples include displaying leadership among peers, involvement in facility or community activities and/or willingness to perform special assignments. The recipient could be a county, state or federal employee. (Award is in honor of Officer Boyd Spikerman, who was killed in the line of duty during an inmate uprising at the Federal Correctional Institution - Oxford)

    2024 - Ralph Sadowski Jr.
    2023 - Sean Hart
    2022 - Thomas Gomach
    2021 - Michael Turner
    2020 - Charles Duha & Mark Johnsrud
    2019 - Brad Londre
    2018 - Monica Horner
    2017 - Phil Henneman
    2016 - Andrew Boerst
    2015 - Jason Mentzel
    2014 - Timothy Retzlaff
    2013 - Tony Bakken
    2012 - Amy Strutz
    2011 - No award presented this year
    2010 - Anthony Montez
    2009 - Michael Granger
    2008 - Debra Miller
    2007 - OSCI Staff (11)
    2006 - Raymond Fadroski
    2005 - Russell Jabas
    2004 - Daniel Brown and Thomas Core
    2003 - Terry Schulz
    2002 - Wayne Schwantes
    2001 - Kenneth Perre
    2000 - Alan Deschler
    1999 - Brian McCoic
    1998 - C. T. Field
    1997 - Greg Polzin
    1996 - Rory Thelen
    1995 - Harlan Linjer
    1994 - Kevin Halverson
    1993 - Al Youngbauer
    1992 - Oregon Correctional Center Staff (9)
    1991 - Donald Klemmer
    1990 - Jay Delpho
    1989 - William Hamer
    1988 - Shelly Boulware Sr.

  • The Dr. Juliette Martin-Thomas Award for Excellence in the Field of Human Services

    Established in September 1994

    This award recognizes an individual in the public or private sector who has made significant contributions to the field of human services. The recipient may be a social worker, psychologist, health care provider, clergy, volunteer, probation/parole agent, child care worker, treatment provider, etc. Further, through genuine interaction, communication and commitment, this individual has made a valuable contribution to multi-culturalism.

    2024 - Holly Stanelle
    2023 - Rachel Fryda-Gehde
    2022 - Julie Ludwig
    2021 - Julie Reichert
    2020 - Sarah Cooper
    2019 - Trina Kroening-Skime
    2018 - Autumn Lacy
    2017 - Nathan Melanson
    2016 - Beverly Pittman-Burns
    2015 - Dr. Samantha Schwartz-Oscar
    2014 - Christine Trinrud
    2013 - George Koenig
    2012 - Kathy Walter
    2011 - John Husz
    2010 - Pamela Brandon
    2009 - Kalen Ruck
    2008 - Rose Kleman
    2007 - Terry Schemenauer
    2006 - Roberta Gaither
    2005 - Sheryl Graeber
    2004 - Urban Klosterman
    2003 - Dennis Moser
    2002 - Antonia Vann
    2001 - Jan Cummings
    2000 - Dr. Susan Curran
    1999 - Karl E. Brekke
    1998 - George Fuedner
    1997 - Robert C. Kocmoud
    1996 - Robert Kolinski
    1995 - Jerry E. Smith, Jr.

  • The Sanger B. Powers Award for Excellence This award, established in 1984, recognizes an individual for his or her career contributions to the field of criminal justice. The recipient can be from a private or public agency.  Sanger B. Powers held many levels of positions throughout his prestigious career. He began his career in the social services field with the City of Milwaukee and then promoted to a Dunn County supervisor for public assistance for eight counties.  In 1950, he promoted to the director of the State Division of Probation and Parole and shortly thereafter was selected as the Superintendent of the Wisconsin State Reformatory, now the Green Bay Correctional Institution.  In 1956, he was appointed director of the Division of Corrections, a position he held until his retirement in 1974.  Mr. Powers served in the Navy and was active in the Naval Reserve until he retired in 1969 with the rank of commander.  Mr. Powers served as President of the American Correctional Association as well as in high-level positions on the National Council of Crime and Delinquency, the Council of State Government, and on numerous other state and national organizations

    2024 - Chantell Jewell
    2023 - Grace Knutson
    2022 - Beckie Blodgett
    2021 - Jean Young
    2020 - Deanna Perschke
    2019 - Michelle Burton
    2018 - Larry Jenkins
    2017 - Judy Smith & Denise Symdon
    2016 - Rose Snyder-Spaar
    2015 - Lori McAllister
    2014 - Lawrence Mahoney
    2013 - Mary Jane Anttila
    2012 - Robert Grusnick
    2011 - William Rankin
    2010 - James Miller
    2009 - Gerald Berge
    2008 - John Bett
    2007 - Phil Kingston
    2006 - Steven Casperson
    2005 - Dave Burton
    2004 - Marianne Cooke
    2003 - John Barian
    2002 - Carol Briones
    2001 - Ken Sondalle
    2000 - Adelaide (Binky) Krahn
    1999 - Donald W. Gudmanson
    1998 - James W. Mathews
    1997 - Gilbert F. Durkin
    1996 - Michael J. Sullivan
    1995 - Pamela J. Brandon
    1994 - John R. Gagnon
    1993 - Paul D. Prast
    1992 - Darrell A. Kolb
    1991 - Donald Clark
    1990 - Stephen E. Bablitch
    1989 - Gordon Abrahamson
    1988 - Elmer O. Cady
    1987 - Roland C. Hershman
    1986 - Katherine Helmer
    1985 - David A. Johnson, Jr.

  • Wisconsin Correctional Association Clerical/Office Support Award

    Established in 2016

    This award is WCA’s newest award and recognizes an individual in the public or private sector who has made significant contributions to their field as a clerical or office support person. As part of a larger team, the support staff assists in making sure daily operations flow seamlessly and are always an integral part of accomplishing their agency/office’s mission.

    2024 - Suzanne Wells
    2023 - Darren Miller
    2022 - Natalie Anderson
    2021 - Judy Beeschke
    2020 - Jane Chamberlin & Shelly Flier
    2019 - Mary Lee & Kathy Martin
    2018 - Lynn Van Handel
    2017 - Cynthia Schumerth
    2016 - Carol Krueger

  • The Wisconsin Council on Community Corrections Community Service Award

    This award, established in 2004, recognizes a person in the private sector who demonstrates a high level of commitment and professionalism to community-based corrections; who has been instrumental in either improving existing services to offenders in community-based corrections or in piloting new services; who reflects the Wisconsin Council on Community Corrections mission to promote the development and understanding of humane, effective and responsible treatment and services for community-based corrections; and who works to promote and develop alternative community-based corrections programs for offenders with legislative representatives, the Department of Corrections leaders, the community, etc.

    2024 - Clarence Johnson
    2023 - Lynda Olson
    2022 - Amanda Rodriguez
    2021 - Angel Eggers
    2020 - Vicki Trebian
    2019 - Laurie Lessard
    2018 - Celesta Miller

    2016 - 2017 No awards given these years

    2015 - Paulette Romashko
    2014 - Joe Spolowicz
    2013 - Anne Strauch

    2012 - Joe Wilz
    2011 - Betty Gregory-Paasch
    2009 - Constance Shaver
    2008 - Terry Marshall
    2007 - Stephen Swigart
    2006 - Karen Kinsey
    2005 - Michael Houlihan
    2004 - Erwin Heinzelmann

Applications
& Timeline

The nomination and application process opens annually.

  • Applications Open: June 15, 2026

  • Deadline: August 3, 2026

  • Board Review: In mid-August

  • Recipients Notified: By early September 2026

  • Awards Presented: Monday, September 21, 2026, at the 2026 Annual Conference Award Luncheon at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells

Apply or Nominate

Submit your application or nomination using the form below.