National Association for Student Activities

The Jim Finnemeyer Service Award

Recognizing Service to this Organization and to Whom it Serves

To honor the service of Jim Finnemeyer (pictured at right) who served as the second Executive Director of this organization from 2013 to 2022, this award was establised by the NA4SA Board of Directors in 2022 to recognize an outstanding individual who demonstrates exemplary service to this organization over the years, along with such exemplary service to the Student Activity Professionals for whom this organization is dedicated to - just like Jim did througohut his career as an educator, advisor, and unparalleled leader.

For 47 years, Jim Finnemeyer of Pennsylvania was an active and cherished member of the National Association of Workshop Directors (NAWD), which became NA4SA in 2021 under his leadership. A past Workshop Director of the Year (DOTY) and long time Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils, Jim became the second Executive Director of this organization, taking over from Genel Hodges in 2014 and serving in that capacity for the next 9 years until his retirement in December 2022.

Through everything he has done or inspired others to do for this organization – and for so many of us personally – H. James Finnemeyer stood as an exemplar of the self-evident truth that Leadership is Service.

Through the selfless leadership and dedication to service that he brought everywhere he served – North Penn High School, the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils, the National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors (NASSCED), the Horatio Alger Association, and ultimately NAWD/NA4SA - Jim Finnemeyer truly made the world a better place one person at a time, and each of those he worked with a better person.

Jim Finnemeyer passed away on April 20, 2023 at the age of 76, after a courageous 18 month long battle with cancer. This battle did not stop Jim from attending and speaking at (see photo above) the 2022 National Conference on Student Activities in Boston - a moment that truly captivated and inspired everyone in the room. During the same conference, Jim was also present for the inaugural presentation of the newly created Service Award named for him to long time colleague Kathy Coll, who worked with Jim for over 30 years as his Assistant Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils and then joined him again to work as Registrar for NA4SA, a position she continues in today.

There was and will only ever be one Jim Finnemeyer – his name and inspiration live on, not only through this Service Award that bears his name but also in countless students and adults who have been touched by his caring guidance and leadership over the years.

We cherish and honor the memory and lasting legacy of H. James ("Jim") Finnemeyer:

CLICK HERE to view a Special Edition of Reumors that was published in June 2023, dedicated as a tribute to the lasting memory of Jim Finnemeyer with photos and remembrances from many of his NAWD/NA4SA friends and colleagues.
CLICK HERE for a link to a video of the Celebration of Life Ceremony which took place on August 11, 2023 at North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, where Jim taught for over thirty years.

Most Recent Recipient

As presented by Executive Director Lou Miller:

This year’s recipient of the Jim Finnemeyer Service Award has been an integral part of more than 30 NAWD and NA4SA conferences since 1988 in Nashville, Tennessee. He has contributed immensely to the professionalism of our events and became a cherished member of the NAWD and now NA4SA family. Working with student leaders and advisors for over 45 years, this year’s recipient has been a teacher, advisor, student activity director, principal, and leadership camp director at both the state and national levels. He has served on Boards for the National Association of Student Councils, National Association of Student Activity Advisors, and for YOUR National Association of Student Activities (NA4SA).

A true Michigander, he has been recognized as Advisor of the Year and Principal of the Year and inducted into the Michigan Student Leadership Hall of Fame. For his encouragement of and inspiration to Student Activity Professionals, selfless sharing of experience and expertise, and contributions to student leadership and those who make it happen, he received the 2017 National Earl Reum Award, and his exemplary service to this organization continued as President of YOUR National Association for Student Activities from 2022 to 2024, and as your conference host this year.

In the words of those who nominated him, “He is always the first to jump in, help, and share his wisdom in all things leadership. His passion for ‘the work’ is unparalleled.” I could not agree more. For his outstanding lifetime of service to this association and to the Student Activity Professionals that it serves, we proudly present the 2025 Jim Finnemeyer Service Award to the one and only…Tom Heethuis.