The National Rural Education Association may induct members to its Foundation Hall of Fame at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education. Inductees are current members of the NREA with at least five years of participation who have made significant contributions to rural schools and communities at the local, state and national level.
Any current member of NREA can submit a letter of nomination. Letters should be submitted to the President of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Sean Rickert seanrickert01@gmail.com. The deadline to submit letters to be considered for induction at NFARE in 2026 is June 6, 2026.
Nominations will be reviewed and a recommendation for induction will be presented to the Foundation Board by a selection committee composed of the NREA President, the NREA Executive Director, a member of the NREA Hall of Fame and the NREA Foundation President. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation approves all inductions to the Hall of Fame.
The following criteria serve as the basis for nominations and should be identified in the letter of nomination.
- A nominee must have made significant contributions in service to the NREA.
- A nominee must have made significant contributions to their local, rural school district, state or nation in the field of “rural education”.
- A nominee must have been a member of NREA for a minimum of five (5) years.
Recent Inductees:
- 2023 Dan Rask
- 2022 Jerry White
- 2021 Phil Gerik
- 2020 Scott Turney
- 2018 Mary Lou Gammon
- 2018 Ray Patrick
- 2017 Jules Waber
