This award was established in 1985 in honor of Mary Ellen Morgan a founder and invaluable member of Community Players, Inc. The award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding service in the promotion of theatre and the fine arts in the city of Beatrice and the area of Southeast Nebraska.

Past award recipients are:

• Terry Terhune – 1986
• Cecil and Maralyn Richmond – 1987
• Hilda Andersen – 1988
• Shirley Terhune – 1989
• Judi Knowles – 1990
• Virgina Wright – 1991
• Sandy Knisely – 1992
• Mildred Spilker – 1993
• Mary Feit – 1994
• Doug Soderstrom – 1995
• Eldon Goble – 1996
• Larry Rinne – 1997
• Mary Bailey – 1998
• Robert Feit – 1999
• Wilma Sawyer – 2000
• Marilyn Maurstad – 2001
• Diane Baxa – 2002
• Trudy Dueck – 2003
• Jean Spilker - 2004
• Bill and Julie Bratt - 2005
• Steve and Toni Spilker - 2006
• Heidi Krieger - 2007
• Brent Frahm - 2008
• Callan Williams - 2009
• Jean Tyser - 2010
• Elizabeth Claassen - 2011
• Cindy Shepherd - 2012