ACUI Region 13

Pat Moonen Service Award

The Pat Moonen Service Award has been established to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Region 13 of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), which includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. This award was established in honor of the 20 years of service made by Pat to the college union profession. The award is given to an individual who best exemplifies Pat’s dedication and motivation to students and staff in both her work in the college Union and throughout Region 13.

Pat Moonen represented all the ideals embodied in the mission of the college union and much more! Pat was committed to education and development of students, which resulted from their involvement in college union activities. Pat was a friend, confidant and mentor. Pat loved being involved in ACUI, whether it was as the Regional Representative or College Bowl Coordinator. The reason Pat so immensely enjoyed everything she did, from the University of Arizona Student Union to ACUI, was the quality interactions she had with other people.

Want to know more about Pat Moonen?

This award is presented to any staff member who has made outstanding contributions and provided exceptional leadership to ACUI Region 13. The recipient is one who has had a significant impact on the development and quality of the region’s programs and activities. The recipient is a role model for others, inspiring them to do work of comparable significance.

A selection committee appointed by the Region 13 leadership team will forward a unanimous recommendation from the nomination pool to the Regional Director. Letters of support and nomination should describe:

• How does this person exemplify standards of professional integrity and conduct? Please give examples
• Does this person hold the esteem of colleagues and peers? Please elaborate.
• How has this person worked to further the field of the college union and/or student activities?
• Does this person extend himself/herself to others? Please give examples.
• How has this person given outstanding service to ACUI Region 13?

Please add any other information that will help the steering committee in
their decision. Persons nominated from member institutions of ACUI Region 13 are eligible. (Current involvement in ACUI is not a criterion.)

Download nomination form [.pdf]

Please send Nominations to :  acui-region13-conference-team@googlegroups.com

Pat Moonen began her campus activities career in the mid-1950’s when she served as the publicity chair for the Student Union Activities Board at the University of Arizona. After taking time off to begin raising a family, Pat returned to the college union as the manager of the Gallagher Theatre. As manager of the Gallagher, Pat developed an innovative film program, which included visits from some of Hollywood’s top talents. Soon thereafter, Pat was given additional responsibility including, student union recreation, the student union activities board and the union gallery. In 1985, Pat was named Assistant Director of the Student Union for Programming and Recreation.

Pat was a very active member of ACUI. She served as Region 13 Representative, Fall Conference Coordinator, Recreation Tournament Host Coordinator, Region 13 College Bowl Coordinator, 1993 International Conference Committee member, and chair of the College Bowl Committee. She attended numerous regional and international conferences and presented many conference ed sessions. At the ACUI conference in Honolulu, Pat was posthumously honored with an ACUI Presidential Service Award.

In 1991, Pat learned she was suffering from ovarian cancer. Pat worked diligently for the next two and a half years while undergoing several surgeries and chemotherapy. During the last three weeks of her life, Pat corresponded with hundreds of former students and colleagues. Dozens of people traveled from across the country to visit her one last time, and hundreds of phone calls poured into Pat’s hospital room. On September 7, 1993, Pat Moonen passed away at age 58. We all know that Pat is with each of us every day in the big student union in the sky.

To honor Pat, Region 13 felt her memory could best be preserved through the creation of this award honoring individuals in Region 13 who strive toward the College Union Ideal.