2021: Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson, Marcus Books (posthumously)
2020: Malcolm Margolin
2019: Luis Alberto Urrea
2018: John Mutter and Jenn Risko
2017: Chuck and Dee Robinson
2016: Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Elaine Katzenberger
2015: Dennis Stovall
2013: Jack Shoemaker
2012: Pennie Clark Ianniciello
2011: Jack Jensen
2010: Eric H. Boehm
2009: Charles (Chuck) S. Hutchinson, Jr.
2008: Richard Abel
2007: Gibbs Smith
2006: Linda Ligon
2005: Elizabeth A. Geiser
2004: Dick and Judy Noyes
2003: Frederick A. Praeger (posthumously)
2002: Mary Powell
2001: Robert C. Baron
2000: Lisa Knudsen
1999: Katherine J. McCanna
1998: Tony Hillerman
1997: Joyce Meskis
1996: Tom Auer
1995: Gordon Saull (posthumously)
1994: Dwight and Carol Myers
1993: David Flaccus
1992: Fred Pruett
1991: Jene and Jetta Lyon