BROOKINGS (10-22-26) — Brookings Mayor Oepke “Ope” Niemeyer, along with several of the city’s volunteer boards and commissions, have announced the 2026 Mayor’s Awards honorees.
The public is invited to help honor the recipients at the Mayor’s Awards event, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Holiday Celebration, to be held December 2 at the Dacotah Bank Center at 824 32nd Avenue. The event will take place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the awards program beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Award recipients are:
MAYOR’S MOST INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
Awardee: Heidi Gullickson
The Mayor’s Most Inspirational Leadership Award recognizes the inspiring work and commitment of individuals in Brookings. The award is given to a community member age 40 or older who has made a significant impact in the community by contributing to community engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, diversity, and innovation.
MAYOR’S GENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
Awardee: Jamison Lamp
The Mayor’s Generational Award is given to a community member age 40 or younger who has affected the community in the following ways: positively changes how people think about the community and city; helps Brookings attract and retain young professionals and families; motivates new generations to be active in their communities; contributes to the advancement and well-being of the community through service in areas such as education, sports, fundraising, charitable and voluntary service, economic development, arts, and the environment.
Category: Dorothy & Eugene T. Butler Award
Awardee: Nieema Thasing
The award is presented to person(s) who have contributed to advancing the cause of human rights. The award bears the name of the first recipients, Dorothy and Eugene T. Butler, who were recognized for their lifelong advocacy in human rights issues on local, regional and national levels.
BROOKINGS DISABILITY AWARENESS COMMITTEE AWARDS
Category: A.B.L. E. Award (Ability, Belief, Leadership, Equality to Achieve Access for All)
Awardee: Synergy Strength Studio
This award is presented to an individual or organization with outstanding commitment to fulfilling the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Category: Empower Award
Awardee: Goodwill of the Great Plains, Brookings location
This award is presented to an individual or organization with outstanding commitment to creating or expanding opportunities for employment of disabled individuals.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AWARDS
Category: Excellence in Rehabilitation
Awardee: 408 Main Avenue – Main Street Pub / Garner Hansen
Awardee: 322 Main Avenue – The Exchange / Steve & Brenda Torino
Awardee: 300 Main Avenue – Skinner’s Pub / Greg & Shari Thornes
This Award recognizes projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value. Nominees in this category must demonstrate how their restoration or rehabilitation of an historic property was a laudable effort using the Secretary of The Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation, or achieved a satisfactory result by going over and beyond the normal accepted practices.
Category: Stewardship – Residential Awards
Awardee: 715 Seventh Avenue – Carolyn Clague and Dennis Hopfinger
Awardee: 902 Sixth Street – Cokato Inc.
This award recognizes those who have ensured the preservation of historic properties through long-term care and maintenance, stabilization, and protection, or continuous family ownership.
Category: Infill Award
Awardee: 320 Main Avenue – Seven Songbirds Boutique / Shirelle Englund
Recognizes a new structure, located within any designated historic district, that exhibits compatibility with the historic district.
Category: Lifetime Achievement Award
Awardee: Janet Gritzner
Recognizes an individual who has championed historic preservation, planning or public policy in the City of Brookings.
PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD PARTNERSHIP AWARDS
Category: Impact Award
Awardee: Brookings Adult Softball Association
The Impact Award honors individuals or groups who have shown exceptional leadership and advocacy in advancing the mission of parks and recreation.
Category: Champion Award
Awardee: Brookings Multicultural Center
The Champion Award recognizes outstanding contributions and initiatives that enhance community well-being through parks and recreation.
Category: Public Lands Preservation Award
Awardee: Brookings Mountain Bike Association
The Public Lands Preservation Award recognizes exceptional efforts in the stewardship and conservation of public lands.
Category: Impact Initiative
Awardee: City of Brookings Regional Landfill
This award recognizes a project, program, business, or organization that demonstrates outstanding leadership in advancing sustainability within the Brookings community. This honor highlights innovative efforts that make a measurable difference — whether through environmental stewardship, community engagement, or long-term sustainability practices. Recipients of the Mayor’s Award exemplify how local action can create lasting, positive change for both people and the planet.
— From the City of Brookings
