English Professor Mark Maynard became the second recipient of TMCC-NFA's Legacy Award which was presented at the year-end Happy Hours on April 26. He was recognized for his willingness to step-up on behalf of the Local. He has been a steadfast voice for faculty on the College Planning Council where he frequently must speak out in a group that consists mostly of individuals hand-picked by the President. Multiple faculty members have praised his detailed Planning Council notes, which are frequently the only source of information of the council's activities. 

Mark was also recognized for his student advocacy and completing a second Master's in Journalism to restore a program that was suspended when the previous instructor left the college.

Four other members - Tom Cardoza, Ben Davis, Tanja Hayes, and Martha Johnson-Olin - were also nominated for the award.

Cardoza was recognized with the Academic Freedom Fighter award for protesting the unfair termination of a fellow faculty member. In response to his action, the administration, without justification, removed Cardoza from his position as a department chair. Subsequently, with support from NFA, he achieved what conventional wisdom said was impossible, winning a lawsuit against NSHE. His courage to speak out and challenge those in power helped revitalized the role of NFA on campus.

Davis, Hayes, and Johnson-Olin received framed certificates as Outstanding Members. Ben Davis was nominated for being an effective representative for administrative faculty. He was also the sole TMCC faculty representative to make a public comment in support of cost of living adjustments at the June 2023 Board of Regents meeting.

Like Davis, Tanja Hayes was nominated for answering NFA's call to action when members were asked to show up and make public comment when the Board of Regents leadership invited the James G. Martin Center to conduct a governance workshop. Hayes' bravely called out the Board for embracing an ideological group that opposes academic freedom.

Martha Johnson-Olin's nomination not only recognized her consistent participation in TMCC-NFA's activities, but also for her stalwart defense of academic freedom and shared governance. Her faculty senate resolution condemning the James G. Martin Center ensured the TMCC faculty position became part of the public record. She is also vigilant for administrative overreach in curriculum decision.