This award is given annually to an alumnus of the BYU MPA program who has demonstrated extraordinary service and leadership in the public and nonprofit sectors and in his or her community. The recipient also exhibits high standards of excellence and has gained the respect and loyalty of colleagues, peers, and family. The award is named for Norman Dale Wright, an MPA alumnus and long-time BYU professor.
| Year | Recipient | Title | Speech |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dale Hull (EMPA, 2012) | Executive Director, Neuroworx | Text |
| 2022 | Mick Berry (MPA, 1990) | Retired County Manager, Catawba County, NC | Text |
| 2021 | Tamara Sheffield (EMPA, 1992) | Medical Director, Community Health and Prevention, Intermountain Healthcare | Text |
| 2020 | – | Not awarded due to COVID-19 | – |
| 2019 | Doral Vance (MPA, 1980) | Criminal Investigation Unit Manager, Utah State Tax Commission | Text |
| 2018 | Christopher Brady (MPA, 1989) | City Manager, Mesa, AZ | Text |
| 2017 | Brett T. Swigert (EMPA, 2004) | Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force | Text |
| 2016 | Steve Thacker (MPA, 1978) | City Manager, Centerville, Utah | Text |
| 2015 | D. Bryce Baker (MPA, 1983) | Senior Advisor to the Deputy Associate Director for Pay and Leave, U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) | Text |
| 2014 | Ruth Ann Jefferies (MPA, 1971) | Property Tax Specialist, Utah State Tax Commission | Text |
| 2013 | David Oyler (MPA, 1997) | City Manager, Spanish Fork, Utah | Text |
| 2012 | Gwen Young Holm (MPA, 1983) | Associate Director Mission Support, NASA Dryden Flight Research | Text Video |
| 2011 | Francine Giani (EMPA, 1991) | Executive Director of Commerce, State of Utah | Text |
| 2006 | Jonathan Gardner (MPA, 1980) | Director of Southern Arizona, VA Healthcare System | Text |
| 2004 | Karen Suzuki-Okabe (EMPA, 1989) | Director of State Division of Human Resource Management, State of Utah | Text |
| 2003 | John C. Darrington (MPA, 1972) | City Manager, Richland, Washington | Text |
| 2002 | J. Leon Sorenson (MA, 1967) | Director, Utah Medical Association |