LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The Legacy of Leadership Awards are designed to honor current and former Missouri school board members who have distinguished themselves through community service and advocacy for public education. Honorees are outstanding Missourians who have given countless hours for the betterment of their communities and to advocate for the students in our public schools. These awards are sponsored by FutureBuilders, the non-profit foundation of MSBA.
Carter D. Ward Excellence in Advocacy Award
The Carter D. Ward Excellence in Advocacy Award (CDWEA) was developed to recognize and honor an individual board member who exhibits exemplary leadership skills around public education advocacy. Nominees should possess a documented history of achievement in local, statewide, or national advocacy on behalf of Missouri’s public school students.
The award is named for former FutureBuilders' CEO and MSBA Executive Director, Dr. Carter D. Ward, whose career epitomized successful advocacy for public education in Missouri.
Past Winners of the Carter D. Ward Advocacy Award
2025 - Mary Groeper, Wright City R-II
2024 - Jennifer Wolfsie, Kansas City 33
2023 - Kisha Lee, Ladue School District
2022 - Larry Felton, Mehlville School District
2021 - Mike Pratte, Gasconade R-I
2019 - Ruth Johnson, Raymore-Peculiar R-II
2018 - Ann Franklin, Independence
Paul Morris Community Service Award
The Paul Morris Community Service Award was established to recognize and honor an individual school board member from Missouri, past or present, who has shown a sincere and outstanding commitment to community service. The award is named in honor of Paul Morris, a past president of MSBA, who devoted countless hours to strengthening his community and improving its schools through his volunteer work. An individual award winner will be selected from nominations received by the FutureBuilders’ Board of Directors to be honored at the MSBA Annual Conference held each fall.
Past Winners of the Paul Morris Award
2024 - Alvin Brooks, Hickman Mills C1 and Larry Felton, Mehlville
2023 - Mary Frasher Cummings, Belton 124
2022 - Glen Scott, Nixa Public Schools
2021 - Betty Braden, Sparta R-III
2020 - Lisa Vanderburg, Moberly
2019 - Vic Lenz, Missouri State Board of Education
2018 - Terry Ward, North Kansas City 74
2017 - Lisa Knutzen, Carl Junction
2016 - Gerry Lee, Springfield Public Schools
2015 - Jill Esry, Independence
2014 - Dave Green, Malden R-I
2013 - Robin Krause, Knob Noster R-VIII
2012 - Roseann Bentley, Springfield R-XII
2011 - Ann Gibbons, Hazelwood
2010 - Roy Burnside, Festus R-VI
2009 - John Holcomb, Trenton R-IX
