Our Iowa Character Awards highlight Iowa’s role models, and you can help make sure the deserving individuals/organizations in your life are recognized. Your nomination makes a big impact! By submitting our quick and easy nomination form, you’re helping deserving Iowans receive meaningful recognition. Nominations for the 2026 Iowa Character Awards will open December, 2025.
Congratulations to our 2025 recipients:
Bill Bradford is the founder and CEO of Next Generation Wireless (NGW), a company known not only for its business success but also for its deep commitment to community service. Since founding NGW in 2001, Bill has led with integrity, compassion, and a strong sense of civic responsibility, growing the company from two Iowa locations to nearly 100 across eight states.
Bill is from Cedar Falls, IA. He will receive the Person of Character Award.
Tim Hadley is the principal of Oelwein High School and is known for his unwavering dedication to students, staff, and the broader community. Whether he’s calling students who are absent, driving a bus to an event, or buying meals for a team in need, Tim is always ready to step in and help.
Tim is from Olewein, IA. He will receive the Educator of Character Award.
Mike Knapp has spent more than five decades shaping Iowa’s business and civic landscape through his leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to character. As the longtime president and CEO of Iowa Realty, and later chairman emeritus of HomeServices of Iowa, Mike helped grow the state’s largest real estate company while maintaining a deep focus on integrity, fairness, and community impact.
Mike is from Des Moines, IA. He will receive the Robert D. and Billie Ray Pillar of Character Award.
Anna Pollpeter is a high-achieving freshman known for her compassion, leadership, and commitment to service. With aspirations to become a JAG lawyer in the U.S. Army, Anna is committed to making the world a better place. Anna has already made a lasting impact through her anti-hunger efforts, founding an organization at age 9 that now provides over 12,000 meals annually.
Anna is from Urbandale, IA. She will receive the Person of Character Award.
Walter E Lauridsen and The Lauridsen Family Foundation, based in Ankeny, Iowa, have supported communities across the state through their generous philanthropy and commitment to service. The foundation has provided vital funding to organizations that promote education, health, and community well-being.
Walter is from Des Moines, IA. He will receive the Partner of the Year Award.
Pam Pepper has dedicated her life to public service, leadership, and community engagement. A long-time resident of Indianola, Iowa, Pam has served her city in numerous roles, including seven years on the city council, 12 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission, and most recently as mayor. She is also the Assistant Vice President at Drake University, where she continues to support students and community partnerships.
Pam is from Indianola, IA. She will receive the Character Champion Award.
Benson Zheng is a senior at Spirit Lake High School who has dedicated his high school years to serving others with kindness, creativity, and leadership. With over 400 service hours, Benson has made a lasting impact on his school and community through countless acts of generosity and care.
Benson is from Spirit Lake, IA. He will receive the Aaron Eilerts Community Service Award.
Brody Middle School serves grades 6-8 in the Des Moines Public School District and is proud to be an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. With a student body of approximately 600, Brody ranks as one of the most diverse middle schools in Iowa, fostering a rich environment of cultural understanding and global awareness.
Brody Middle School is located in Des Moines, IA and will receive the School of Character Award.
In the summer of 2024, Spencer, Iowa, faced devastating floods that tested the strength and spirit of the entire community. Homes were damaged, families displaced, and neighborhoods left underwater. But in the midst of crisis, the people of Spencer showed what it truly means to live by the Six Pillars of Character. Local leaders, first responders, and everyday citizens worked side by side, not for recognition, but because it was the right thing to do.
The City of Spencer will receive the Community of Character Award.
The Iowa Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic, student-led organization that empowers youth to strengthen families and communities through Family and Consumer Sciences education. With over 10,000 members across the state, Iowa FCCLA provides students with opportunities to lead, serve, and grow through real-world projects and partnerships that promote character development and career readiness.
The FCCLA will receive the Student Organization of Character Award.
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) has long been a champion of character development through athletics. As the only state activity association in the nation solely devoted to promoting and governing girls’ interscholastic athletics, IGHSAU has consistently prioritized sportsmanship, leadership, and integrity.
The IGHSAU will receive the Jim Hallihan Pursuing Victory With Honor Award.
The North Iowa Youth Center (NIYC) has been an important part of the Mason City community for over 25 years, inspiring young people to believe in their potential and live healthy, purpose-driven lives. NIYC offers a welcoming space filled with games, creative activities, guest speakers, and leadership opportunities for youth of all backgrounds.
The North Iowa Youth Center is based in Mason City, IA and will receive the Organization of Character Award.
2025 Honorable Mention Recipients
Kevin Cooper, Nevada
Lillian Frideres, Nevada
Calan Smidt, Altoona
Jeremy True, Mason City
Alissa Tschetter-Siedschlaw, Des Moines
Box of Balloons, Cedar Rapids
Central DeWitt Intermediate School, DeWitt
Keokuk XII, Keokuk
Besides telling us who you’re nominating, you’ll answer three prompts:
You’ll also be able to attach supporting materials, like letters of recommendation, newspaper articles, etc.
You don’t have to complete the form all at once. Create a username/password to save your nominations and return to it later.
Give examples. A successful nomination will include specific examples of the nominee showing good character.
Ask for help. You don’t have to complete the nomination alone. Ask the nominee’s friends, families, or co-workers for examples of the nominee’s good character. You can also attach letters of recommendation.
Individuals, organizations, and communities who have not received an Iowa Character Award in the last 5 years are eligible.
Previous nominees and Honorable Mention recipients are eligible.
Youth nominees should be between the ages of 10 -19 as of May 2, 2025.
Anyone can submit a nomination. You can nominate family, friends, co-workers, and community members. You can nominate your own school, organization, or company.
Being recognized for good character is a big deal! We’ll make sure nominees and recipients are honored in meaningful ways.
All nominees will receive a formal certificate of recognition, and we’ll celebrate our award recipients in three ways.
Presented to individuals who consistently demonstrate good character.
Presented to individuals who consistently demonstrate good character.
This award is presented to an educator or administrator who impacts students by using innovative character education practices.
The Jim Hallihan Pursuing Victory with Honor Award is presented to an athletic team or athletic organization that consistently shows good character.
This award is presented to a school or district that who impacts students by using innovative character education practices.
This award is presented to a student organization that consistently shows good character.
Presented to a company or organization that demonstrates good character through their work.
The nomination form for 2026 will be available December, 2025.
Iowa Character Awards have been presented since 2005.
Award Categories
Iowans make up the volunteer award selection committee.
These awards are annually chosen by The Ray Center’s National Advisory Council and team.
2702 Forest Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
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RayCenter@Drake.edu
© 2025 The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University.