Lynnea Iverson wins Collegiate Professional Achievement Award

Lynnea Iverson of Staples, a music education major at Bemidji State University, is one of two students nationwide to be honored with a 2016 Collegiate Professional Achievement Award from the National Association for Music Education.

According to a press release from BSU, Iverson will receive the award in November at the association’s fourth annual National In-Service Music Education Conference in Grapevine, Texas. She currently serves as president of Bemidji State’s National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Collegiate Chapter.

The association’s Collegiate Professional Achievement Awards recognizes members for their commitment and dedication to the association and to music education. It is awarded to collegiate members of the association who have served their campus chapters in an exemplary manner.

“My reaction to getting this award was literally ‘no way,’” she said. “When it comes down to it, I think that dedication to the success of the group and to the people involved is what makes our NAfME group successful. Together we are having a positive impact on our BSU students as well as the community; and that is really exciting. It makes it even more exciting to apply what we learn at BSU to our future careers as music educators.”

Iverson was nominated for the award by Jeff Sands, adjunct music faculty at BSU and the club’s advisor.

“She has demonstrated exemplary organizational skills and high levels of responsibility in her duties as president,” Sands said of Iverson. “She has also gone the extra mile bringing in guests, such as the 2015 - 16 Minnesota Music Educator of the Year, to speak at our meetings.”

Sands also noted that Iverson displays these same work traits and dedication as an involved student at BSU.

In addition to her duties as the president of the NAfME, Iverson holds leadership positions in both the band and choir at BSU, managing the music instrument inventory and working in the music department office. She also recently organized and facilitated travel for over 20 students to attend the state music convention. Additionally, Iverson has volunteered the past two summers working at the Bemidji MusiCamp and is planning on doing so again this summer.

Sands said his biggest factor behind his recommendation was Iverson’s hard work. “She is definitely one of those go-getter type people who want to help and do everything they can.”