Interim VP of Student Affairs Maxwell receives top award from peers

May 31, 2019 | Jim Townsend

University of Houston-Clear Lake interim Vice President for Student Affairs Daniel M. Maxwell received the Association of College Unions International’s Butts-Whiting Award, the highest award for leadership and service at the organization’s international conference held earlier this spring in Indianapolis.

Founded in 1914, ACUI is the largest organization representing student activity centers with university and college campus organizations as members in all 50 states and in nine other countries.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this recognition from my peers,” Maxwell said. “As I reflect on my collective experiences with ACUI, it is easy for me to recognize my professional and personal growth. I strongly believe that ACUI has made me a better student affairs professional, which provides me the skills to make a positive impact on the campuses where I work.”

The Butts-Whiting Award — established in 1968 as the association’s pinnacle achievement — recognizes outstanding individuals who have led and advanced the mission and values of the profession through their commitment to ACUI.  Porter Butts and Edgar Whiting, its namesakes, were the first recipients of the award.

Since July 2018, Maxwell has served in his interim role at UH-Clear Lake from the University of Houston System, where he serves as associate vice chancellor for student affairs as well as UH’s associate vice president for student affairs.

“Dr. Maxwell has held several progressively responsible positions in student affairs in the course of his career,” said UHCL President Ira K. Blake. “He has extensive experience in collaborative leadership, strategic vision, integrative organization and administrative oversight of campus-wide programs.”

Maxwell marshaled the reorganization of UHCL’s Office of Student Services to become the Division of Student Affairs, which encompasses all of the university’s current and future student resources and student-facing services.

“I can’t think of a more qualified recipient for this award, nor one more worthy of this recognition,” Blake said.

At the awards ceremony, Maxwell was introduced by Ann Comerford, executive director of the Student Union at the University of Illinois at Springfield. “He is a man of integrity, determination, and joy – everything we want to be known for as an association. He is our standard and who I aspire to be more like.”

Richard Walker, UH System vice chancellor and UH vice president for student affairs and enrollment services, stated, “Dr. Maxwell’s exceptional leadership as a student affairs professional during his career, and  for the University of Houston, the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and the University of Houston System is unparalleled, so I am thrilled that his work and accomplishments are being honored with this esteemed award from ACUI.”