NAfME Awards Six Collegiate Members and Nine Institutions’ Collegiate Chapters for Excellence and Achievement

National Association for Music Education Awards Six Collegiate Members and Nine Institutions’ Collegiate Chapters for Excellence and Achievement

HERNDON, VA (May 15, 2025) – The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) will recognize the NAfME Collegiate Chapters of nine schools as “Chapters of Excellence” this June during the NAfME National Leadership Assembly. The Chapter of Excellence Recognition was developed to encourage chapters to plan and execute successful chapter advocacy, music program, professional development, recruitment strategy, and service projects. Recognition of excellent projects is conferred annually and is based on activities completed by the chapter the prior year (January through December) or during the current spring semester prior to the submission of the application.

The nine chapters receiving Chapter of Excellence Recognition for the 2024–2025 school year include:

• Advocacy: Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
• Professional Development: University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
• Professional Development: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
• Professional Development: University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Professional Development: Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio
• Professional Development: Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee
• Recruitment: Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
• Recruitment: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
• Service: Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

Six NAfME Collegiate members were also recognized with Professional Achievement Awards. The Professional Achievement Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary musicianship and contribute to activities such as volunteering, work experience, and publications. The award recipient is expected to have consistently attended State and/or National conferences, held leadership positions and, through personal example, encouraged other collegiates to work toward the highest level of professional development.

Professional Achievement Award recipients for 2024–2025 include:

• Ellie Auvinen—University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
• Brooklynn Bowen—Utah State University, Logan, Utah
• Allyson Horvath—University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Amari Junkins—Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio
• Kathryn C. Lang—Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
• Nate Presutti—Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

To learn more about the NAfME Collegiate program, visit nafme.org/membership/collegiate.

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Catherina Hurlburt
catherinah@nafme.org or 571-323-3395 

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The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is a collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education. The only association that addresses all aspects of music education, NAfME, together with its affiliated state music education associations, advocates at the national, state, and local levels and provides resources and opportunities for teachers, students, parents, and administrators. Founded in 1907 and representing more than 57,000 members teaching millions of students, NAfME advances the music education profession and promotes lifelong experiences in music.

Follow NAfME on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme and facebook.com/cnafme) and Instagram (instagram.com/nafme and instagram.com/nafmecollegiateofficial). For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah@nafme.org or 703-860-4000.