ITGA Recognizes Award Recipients at the 2025 ITGA Conference
The International Town & Gown Association (ITGA) held its annual awards ceremony on June 4, 2025, in Kent, Ohio, celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals, volunteers, and organizations that have made a significant impact on town-gown relations.
The business luncheon, attended by nearly 300 attendees, provided a warm and celebratory atmosphere that highlighted ITGA’s mission and honored the powerful contributions of its award recipients.
Several prestigious awards were presented during the ceremony, including:
- Exemplary Service Award: Presented to Britany Waddell, Director of Planning, Town of Chapel Hill, for her sustained commitment to bridging higher education and local government through thoughtful planning, advocacy, and collaboration.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded to Gail M. Shampnois, Director, Office of Student and Community Relations, University of Vermont. With more than 25 years of dedicated service, Gail was recognized as a town-gown trailblazer, community builder, and leader who has mentored countless professionals.
- Community Partner Award: Presented to Heather Truesdell, Code Enforcement Administrator, on behalf of the City of Columbus Code Enforcement Division. The division was honored for its consistent, thoughtful, and innovative partnership with The Ohio State University—resulting in safer student housing, stronger community ties, and a more responsive and equitable off-campus living environment.
- Presidential Excellence Award: Presented to the Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA) and received by Executive Director Eve Anthony. The Council was recognized as a model for community-engaged learning, a vital support system for older adults, and a key partner in developing future professionals.
“The Presidential Excellence Award was created in 2013 as a way to highlight those who have demonstrated exceptional performance in building community, relationships, well-being, resiliency or education achievements in town-gown communities,” said ITGA President Cooper Healey. “This year, we were blown away by ACCA’s absolutely stunning submission on their sustainable and community-driven work throughout Athens, Georgia.”
“I am so honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from ITGA, a global organization in the forefront of bringing together campus and community members to identify and respond to needs, opportunities, and collaborations that lead to healthy, vibrant, and safe environments where all can thrive,” stated Shampnois. “It has been a joy to be part of an organization that leads with its heart and is committed to relationships and learning from each other, with a good dose of humor sprinkled in!”
When asked about the importance of the awards, Associate Vice President for Community Engagement and Local Government Affairs and ITGA Past President, Cory Peterson said, “The 2025 awards underscored the essential role of stakeholders in enhancing the quality of life in college towns. ITGA is proud to honor those who have made a difference and looks forward to continuing its tradition of recognizing the exemplary work of its members.” In addition to presenting this year’s awards, Peterson played a key role in expanding the awards to ensure that the impactful work of ITGA members receives the recognition it deserves.