The NACRA Distinguished Contributor Award is awarded to an individual who has contributed to case teaching, research, and publication over a sustained period of time. Individual need not be a NACRA member but must attend the conference in order to receive the award. This award is not awarded every year. The NACRA Advisory Council selects a winner by majority vote.
A partial list of past recipient includes:
- Andy Towl (1989), Harvard Business School
- C. R. Christensen (1990), Harvard Business School
- Curt Tate (1992), Past NACRA President and NACRA Fellow
- Joe Latona (1993), University of Akron and Ohio University, DSI
- Paul Lawrence (1998), Harvard Business School
- Art Thompson (2000), University of Alabama
- Louis.B. (“By”) Barnes, Harvard Business School
- Jim Erskine (2001 or 2002), Ivey Business School, Western Ontario
- John Seeger (2003), Bentley College, Past NACRA President, CRJ Editor, and NACRA Fellow
- Michael Porter (2005), Harvard University
- Marilyn Taylor (2009), University of Missouri-Kansas City, Past NACRA President, and NACRA Fellow
- Margaret Naumes (2012), U. of New Hampshire, NACRA Fellow
- William Naumes (2012), U. of New Hampshire, Past NACRA President, CRJ Editor, and Fellow
- James G. Clawson (2014), Darden Graduate School, University of Virginia
- Anne Lawrence (2018), San Jose State University, Past NACRA President, and NACRA Fellow