TAM 2026 Award Recipients
Impact Awards | TAM 2026
A special thank you to Cecilia Sierra for fabricating the TAM 2026 McAllen Awards.
Learn more here: www.ceciliasierra.com
TAM's Jack Nokes Outstanding Service Award was established to recognize significant contributions to the museum field, service to TAM, and truly remarkable individuals. Presented each year at the Annual Meeting of the Texas Association of Museums, this award is named in honor Jack Nokes, TAM Executive Director (1995 -2008).
Lynne Beeching, recipient of the Jack Nokes Outstanding Service Award, has been a steadfast leader in service and philanthropy, shaping MOSTHistory into a thriving cultural institution. She has led fundraising efforts that have collectively raised over $50 million—securing $40 million for the museum's day-to-day operations and spearheading three capital campaigns that generated more than $10 million for growth. Beyond the numbers, Lynne has redefined philanthropy in the region by pioneering a non-transactional approach to fundraising built on genuine relationships, shared values, and deep community engagement—a model now emulated by organizations across South Texas. Her vision and strategic leadership have strengthened the museum's financial foundation, enabling the expansion of exhibits, enhancement of programming, and preservation of the history of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico, while her mentorship has built a strong foundation for the next generation of museum professionals and advocates.
Francisco Guajardo, Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of South Texas History; Award Recipient Lynne Beeching; TAM President Michelle Everidge, President & CEO of the Witte Museum
The TAM Jo Stewart Randel Outstanding Trustee Award recognizes excellence and distinguished contributions by a volunteer trustee to museums in Texas. This award spotlights one outstanding trustee whose visionary leadership has made a significant impact on the museum(s) he or she serves. The award is named in honor and memory of Jo Stewart Randel (1915-2002), an exemplary museum trustee from the Texas panhandle who represented the Carson County Square House Museum.
Dr. John Gerling, recipient of the Jo Stewart Randel Outstanding Trustee Award, has demonstrated over two decades of outstanding service, leadership, and enduring impact as a trustee of the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) in McAllen, exemplifying visionary leadership, community advocacy, and dedication to public engagement with science and the arts. A retired orthodontist with advanced degrees in biology and dentistry from the University of Texas at Austin and Baylor College of Dentistry, Dr. Gerling first joined the IMAS Board of Trustees in 2003, serving until 2012 including a term as Board President from 2004–2005, rejoined in 2016, and continues his commitment in his current term through 2026. His passion for science education extends beyond governance to hands-on participation—he regularly volunteers to conduct dry ice demonstrations at community events, shares his telescope for stargazing programs, and was instrumental in creating the solar system installation along McAllen's Bicentennial walking trail. As the first financial contributor to the IMAS Children's Museum Project, his philanthropic leadership set the tone for a campaign that continues to expand educational access, while his advocacy and generosity have mobilized others to give and engage, helping IMAS secure a sustainable foundation for future growth. Beyond IMAS, Dr. Gerling co-founded Puppy Love, the signature fundraiser for the Palm Valley Animal Center, and has served on the boards of the McAllen Economic Development Council and Quinta Mazatlán, illustrating his holistic approach to civic life that values education, environment, and community well-being as interconnected elements of cultural progress.
Award Recipient Dr. John Gerling; TAM President Michelle Everidge, President & CEO of the Witte Museum; Gracie Cabo, Member of the Board of Trustees at the International Museum of Art and Science
TAM’s Texas Museum Advocacy Award honors outstanding efforts in championing the interests of Texas museums at the local, state, or national level. This award recognizes individuals, institutions, or organizations whose advocacy has significantly advanced the visibility, support, and impact of museums across the state. This award underscores the vital role of advocacy in shaping the future of Texas museums.
Dr. Diane Milliken Garza, recipient of the TAM Advocacy Award, demonstrated exceptional leadership as a Commissioner for the Texas Commission on the Arts during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, helping secure $7.9 million in new state funding to support arts organizations across Texas. Her tireless advocacy emphasized the arts as both a cultural cornerstone and a powerful economic driver, contributing to local economies and enhancing quality of life for all Texans. Working alongside the Texas Commission on the Arts and advocacy partners like Texans for the Arts, Dr. Garza successfully championed the value of arts education, rural access, cultural preservation, and the creative economy, ensuring that increased funding would expand grants, outreach, and services to historically underserved and rural communities. By helping elevate the visibility of arts and culture within legislative conversations, Dr. Garza exemplifies what it means to be an advocate for museums and the broader cultural sector in Texas, making a significant difference in the sustainability and growth of arts and cultural institutions statewide.
Ann Fortescue, Executive Director of the International Museum of Art and Science; Award Recipient Dr. Diane Milliken Garza; TAM President Michelle Everidge, President & CEO of the Witte Museum
The TAM President’s Award is given annually by the TAM Executive Committee at its discretion to an individual, institution or “partner” organization or foundation that has done significantly impactful work within the Texas museum community.
The McAllen Family, recipients of the TAM President's Award, has demonstrated an extraordinary multigenerational commitment to preserving and sharing the history and culture of Texas. It began with Margaret Huffaker McAllen and her son Jimmy, who together founded the Hidalgo County Historical Museum (now the Museum of South Texas History), believing deeply that their region's stories mattered and deserved a permanent home. Jimmy's wife Frances served as a dedicated board member and chairman, known as a peacemaker and steadfast leader, while granddaughter Mary Margaret McAllen has carried the legacy forward through her historical scholarship and development work at The Witte Museum. Three generations—Margaret and Argyle, Jimmy and Frances, and their children Stephanie McAllen Moore, Mary Margaret, Melissa, Elizabeth, and James, along with their spouses—have served on boards, led campaigns and fundraising efforts, grown museum collections, shared historical knowledge, and participated actively in the life of museums across Texas, including the International Museum of Art & Science, the Briscoe Western Art Museum, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, The Alamo, and the San Antonio Museum of Art. McAllen family built a living culture of historical preservation woven into the fabric of their family, creating a ripple effect that ensures Texas stories continue to be told for generations to come.
Shan Rankin; Award Recipients James McAllen, Melissa (McAllen) Guerra, Katherine McAllen; TAM President Michelle Everidge, President & CEO of the Witte Museum
Excellence Awards | TAM 2026
Thank you to the TAM 2026 Awards Committee, Chaired by Aleida Garcia, Director of the San Benito Cultural Arts Department and Cultural Heritage Museum and Pamela Morales de Hendricks, Executive Director of Texas Tropical Trail Region
TAM Awards Chair Aleida Garcia, Director of the San Benito Cultural Arts Department and Cultural Heritage Museum
TAM promotes the highest standards of graphic design and media production through the annual Mitchell A.Wilder Publication Design Award Competition. The award is named in honor of one of the early advocates of excellence in museum publications, Mitchell A. Wilder (1913-1979), founding director of the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth.
The Texas Association of Museums Media Innovation & Excellence Awards, or TAMMIES for short, are designed to showcase museums that are doing innovative things with media and technology. We want to see how your museums are incorporating technology into exhibits and programs; how you are using technology to reach virtual audiences outside of the traditional museum space; and how you are using social media to engage with audiences in innovative ways.
Academic Showcase Competition Awards | TAM 2026
The Academic Showcase Competition celebrates the most outstanding student research projects presented at the TAM 2026 Annual Meeting. As part of the Students from colleges and campuses across Texas share their original contributions to the museum field with a statewide audience of professionals and scholars. A panel of museum experts judge the presentations during the conference, and top-ranked projects in each category receive formal recognition. This showcase not only highlights emerging voices in the field, but also reflects TAM’s commitment to building the pipeline for museum professionals.
Academic Showcase Competition Co-Chairs Gina R. Otvos at South Texas College and Roseann Bacha-Garza at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Winner | Jane Anne Carroll
Remembering Grover C. Everett: Creating a Digital Archive
Academic Showcase Competition Co-Chair Gina R. Otvos at South Texas College; Award Recipient Jane Anne Carroll from University of South Texas; Academic Showcase Competition Co-Chair Roseann Bacha-Garza at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Award Recipient Jane Anne Carroll from University of South Texas presenting Remembering Grover C. Everett: Creating a Digital Archive
Awards Ceremony Photography by Jacob Peña
We’re grateful to Jacob Peña for capturing this year’s Awards Ceremony.
Explore more of his work at jacobpena.com
TAM 2025 Austin Award Winners