Harold E. Hughes Awards of Excellence and the Larry and Louise Monson Award

The Annual Awards of the Board and Institute

2024 Harold E. Hughes Awards of Excellence Nominations are OPEN.

Nomination letters and supporting documents should address clearly how the efforts and contributions of the nominee fit the award category selected. The awards will be distributed each morning throughout the week as a part of the daily schedule.

Nominations due April 15, 2024

Submit a Nomination

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Harold E. Hughes Awards of Excellence and the Larry and Louise Monson Award

The Annual Awards of the Board and Institute

In 1990, Larry W. Monson met with Harold and Julianne Hughes and discussed his thoughts of recognizing rural America in the areas of programming, community networking, and professionals who helped reduce recidivism of alcohol and drug abuse. He was hoping to bring excellence to rural America.

Senator Hughes was willing to allow his name recognition to be placed on the awards in his honor. He also hoped that this would energize rural folks to stand up and be counted. He felt the rural areas needed to begin to “blow their own horns” and bring recognition to what is working in rural America.

In 1991 began the awards process. A small panel would solicit nominations recognizing excellence to rural America. It began with Rural Professional, Rural Program, and Rural Community. Then Mr. Monson added another one recognizing others not necessarily from a rural area, Responsiveness to Rural Issues and Concerns. This last award recognized those with an understanding of rural issues and concern and who brought this awareness to others. This could be a state, federal or local agency not specific to rural America.

In addition to the Hughes awards, each year Louise Monson and the family of Larry W. Monson would select a recipient for the Larry W. Monson award. This award was given annually for appreciation to an individual for their substantial contribution and support to the National Rural Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and dedication to resolve rural alcohol and drug abuse issues.

In 2019, following the passing of Louise Monson, the annual Larry W. Monson Award was renamed the Larry and Louise Monson Award. This award was expanded to also recognize organizations, and to honor both of the Monsons for their contributions to the annual Institute and the AODA field.

Exceptional Rural Program

This award is given annually to a rural program that exemplifies outstanding contribution to the rural alcohol and drug abuse field. This program has established exceptional services to the rural alcohol and drug abuse field that help to improve the lives of those who suffer the effects of alcohol and drug abuse.

Exceptional Rural Community

This award is given annually to a rural community that exemplifies outstanding contribution to the rural alcohol and drug abuse field. This community has established exceptional services to the rural alcohol and drug abuse field that helps to improve the lives of those who suffer the effects of alcohol and drug abuse.

Exceptional Rural Professional

This award is given annually to a rural professional who exemplifies outstanding contribution to the rural alcohol and drug abuse field. This person works without seeking recognition for their efforts and does so tirelessly for those who suffer the effects of alcohol and drug abuse.

Exceptional Responsiveness to Rural Issues and Concerns

This award is given annually to a person, program, or agency that exemplifies outstanding contribution to the rural alcohol and drug abuse field. This nominee does not have to be from the rural population yet they have to have established exceptional responsiveness to the rural alcohol and drug abuse field that helps to improve the lives of those who suffer the effects of alcohol and drug abuse.

Larry W. and Louise Monson Award

This award is given annually for appreciation to an individual or organization for their substantial contribution and support to the National Rural Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and dedication to resolve rural alcohol and drug abuse issues.