Helpful Links

Chapter of Excellence Application Form (PDF)
Professional Achievement Application Form (PDF)
Caitlin Merie Hurrey Memorial Scholarship Fund

About the Collegiate Recognition Program

MENC: The National Association for Music Education invites your Collegiate chapter to participate in the MENC Collegiate Recognition Program.

Developed specifically for MENC Collegiate chapters and their members, the purpose of the MENC Collegiate Recognition Program is to distinguish chapters and their members for exemplary chapter activities and member achievements. By participating in the program, you will:

• recognize chapter members for their commitment and dedication to music education,
• focus attention on your school's contributions to the music education profession,
• provide models of achievement for other Collegiate chapters,
• increase awareness of the MENC Collegiate membership program,
• contribute to the growth of MENC Collegiate membership, and
• showcase the best that MENC Collegiate membership has to offer.

All active Collegiate chapters and Collegiate members of MENC are eligible to participate in the MENC Collegiate Membership Recognition Program. Distinction will be given to chapters and members in accordance with the guidelines established by the MENC National Executive Board for each category. Presidents, editors, and Collegiate chairpersons of the state music educators associations will be informed of recipients in their state for possible statewide recognition.

Chapter of Excellence Recognition

The Chapter of Excellence Recognition was developed to distinguish chapters for their successful chapter Music Programs, Professional Development Projects, Recruitment Techniques, and Service Projects. This recognition is conferred annually and is based on the significant contributions made by the chapter to the development of the MENC Collegiate membership program at its institution between January 1 and the Chapter of Excellence entry deadline of December 15 (or the Monday following if December 15 falls on a weekend).

Chapters submit a description and a Chapter of Excellence Application for each chapter activity to be considered. Activities completed between January 1 and the Chapter of Excellence deadline of December 15 (or the Monday following if December 15 falls on a weekend) are eligible for Chapter of Excellence Recognition. A committee made up of sitting MENC Collegiate National and Divisional chairs will select the Chapter of Excellence entries to be recognized.

Chapter of Excellence Categories:

• Music Program (A musical performance organized and/or presented by the chapter)
• Professional Development (A project organized and/or presented by the chapter to further the professional development of its members)
• Recruitment Technique (Successful technique to recruit students to join the chapter)
• Service (A project organized and/or presented by the chapter to benefit its school or community)

Criteria for Chapter of Excellence Selection:

• Chapter Participation, Commitment, Creativity, Impact, Organization, Uniqueness, and Visibility.

Annually, three Chapter of Excellence activities will be selected for recognition in each of the four categories (twelve total). Each selected activity will receive a plaque from MENC and will be recognized in an issue of Teaching Music or Music Educators Journal. Additionally, the selection committee has the option to bestow up to three Chapter of Excellence honorable mention certificates for exceptional activities not selected.

Professional Achievement

The purpose of the Professional Achievement recognition is to distinguish individual Collegiate members for their commitment and dedication to MENC and music education. This recognition is given to Collegiate members who have served their chapters in an exemplary manner. All Collegiate members who meet the following criteria are eligible to receive this distinction.

Criteria: (all requirements apply)

1. Student must be currently enrolled in an active MENC Collegiate chapter.
2. Student must also have been a Collegiate member of MENC in the school year prior to the current one.
3. Student must possess an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent during the year of the application.
4. Student must verify participation and involvement in chapter activities.

For each eligible Collegiate member, chapter advisors should send a completed Professional Achievement application and a description of the eligible member's participation and involvement in chapter-related activities to MENC. Applications must be sent to MENC on or before February 28. Recipients of this recognition receive a Certificate of Achievement and a specially designed lapel pin.

Caitlin Merie Hurrey Scholarship

Senior recipients of the Professional Achievement Recognition will automatically qualify for the Caitlin Merie Hurrey Collegiate Senior Scholarship. A committee designated by the Earl Hurrey Family will make a recommendation for the Caitlin Merie Hurrey Memorial Scholarship [subject to the approval of the governing council of the Caitlin Merie Hurrey (CMH) Memorial Scholarship Fund] based on that student's academic achievement and Collegiate chapter involvement. The Caitlin Merie Hurrey Memorial Scholarship Fund is presented in conjunction with MENC and The Fund for the Advancement for Music Education (FAME). This element of the Fund was created to assist graduating MENC Collegiate members with professional development.

For more information on the Collegiate Recognition Program call MENC Collegiate Membership at 800-336-3768. For more information on the Caitlin Merie Hurrey Scholarship Fund, click here.

Chapter Growth

The Chapter Growth Certificate of Achievement was established to stimulate growth in Collegiate membership. Since its inception in 1986, Collegiate chapters have received national and statewide recognition for significant chapter growth. The recognition is given to chapters that increase their enrollment from the previous year. Recipients receive a Certificate of Recognition from MENC. All enrollments sent to MENC on or before February 28 qualify. No application is necessary.