The Charles W. Willis Award was established in memory of MABE's first executive director. Limited to a single honoree annually, the award represents recognition by board member peers of outstanding service at the local and state level, and is MABE's highest honor.
Requests for nominations are sent to member boards in March, and the committee meets in July to determine a recipient. The committee bases their decision on the following criteria:
1. Demonstrates keen understanding of his/her responsibilities as a board member in the
formulation of policy and the establishment of sound educational programs.
2. Works affirmatively to foster improved student achievement.
3. Works proactively to foster community engagement with all education stakeholders.
4. Devotes personal time, effort, and skill to promote the goals of public education.
5. Accepts and fulfills the responsibilities of a board member by working collaboratively
with board and staff and adhering to high ethical standards.
6. Values diversity by advocating for the educational needs of all children.
Past Recipients
2011 Jerrelle F. Francois, Baltimore City
2010 William J. Phalen, Jr., Calvert County
2009 Patricia B. O'Neill, Montgomery County
2008 C. Scott Stone, Carroll County
2007 Wilson H. Parran, Calvert County
2006 Rodney L. Durst, Garrett County
2005 Sandra H. French, Howard County
2004 Dr. George I. Whitehead, III, Wicomico County
2003 Lt. Col. Eugene C. Chandler, Harford County
2002 Dr Alvin D. Thornton, Prince George's County
2001 Dane A. Coleman, Caroline County
2000 Dr. J. Edward Andrews, Maryland State Board of Education
1999 Carolyn L. Scott, Carroll County
1998 Mildred Casey, Queen Anne's County
1997 Thomas R. Hendershot, Prince George's County
1996 Dr. Terrence H. Scout, Kent County
1995 George D. Lisby, Harford County
1994 George W. Fisher, Sr., Maryland State Board of Education, Caroline County
1993 B. Marie Byers, Washington County
1992 Deborah D. Kendig, Howard County
1991 Norman J. Saunders, Charles County
1990 Marilyn J. Praisner, Montgomery County
1989 Dr. Percy V. Williams, Harford County
1988 T. Reynolds Carpenter, Dorchester County
1987 Joanne T. Goldsmith, Maryland State Board of Education
1986 G. George Asaki, Maryland State Board of Education, Anne Arundel County
1985 William S. Moore, Wicomico County
1984 Lucille Maurer, Montgomery County
1983 Gertrude H. Crist, Howard County
1982 Jerome Frampton, Jr., Maryland State Board of Education, Caroline County
1981 Beverley H. Zimmerman, Anne Arundel County
1980 T. Bayard Williams, Jr., Baltimore County
1979 Frederick K. Schoenbrodt, Howard County
