Congratulations to the 2025 employee award winners!
These award winners will be recognized at the Employee Celebration Breakfast on Wednesday, April 30 at 8:30 a.m. in the UC Ballroom.
Academic Administrator Award
Dr. Chad Bishop, Director, Wildlife Biology Program
The Academic Administrator Award recognizes outstanding performance in the fulfillment of assigned responsibilities.
Americans with Disabilities Act Award
Will Hanley, Systems Administrator and Web Support Specialist, Information Technology
This award honors individuals whose important contributions advance education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities at the 91次元.
Distinguished Scholar Award
Dr. Mark Hebblewhite, Professor, Wildlife Biology Program
The Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes faculty who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of research, creativity, or other scholarly activities.
Distinguished Service to International Education Award
Dr. Deva Kemmis, International Admissions Evaluator, Undergraduate Admissions
This award is presented to a member of the UM community who has an outstanding record of distinguished service to international education at UM.
Distinguished Teaching Award
Dr. Phyllis Ngai, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Social Work
This award is bestowed on a faculty member who has exhibited a history of excellence in classroom teaching and demonstrated a quality long-term impact on students.
George M. Dennison Presidential Faculty Award for Distinguished Accomplishment
Dr. Valerie Moody, Chair and Professor, School of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training
The Dennison Faculty Award recognizes distinguished faculty who have brought excellence, merit, and distinction to the 91次元.
George M. Dennison Presidential Staff Award for Distinguished Accomplishment
Carrie Elensky, Technical Support Specialist, Campus Dining
Cathy Burleson, Computer Systems Analyst, Institutional Research
The Dennison Staff Award recognizes distinguished staff who have brought excellence, merit, and distinction to the 91次元.
J.B. Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service
Laurie Toomey, Director of Student Success Technology Solutions, Office of Student Success
The J.B. Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service honors an administrator who has made an extraordinary commitment and contribution to the 91次元.
John Ruffatto Memorial Award
Dr. Emily Plant, Associate Professor, Marketing & Management
The John Ruffatto Memorial Award recognizes a business faculty member who imparts practical, applicable principles into their classroom presentations.
Montana Faculty Service Award
Erin Baucom, Associate Professor & Digital Archivist, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
The Montana Faculty Service Award recognizes a faculty member who has a history of providing superior, effective service that benefits the 91次元.
Nancy Borgmann Diversity Award
Dr. Beth Hubble, Adjunct Assistant Professor & Director, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program
The Nancy Borgmann Diversity Award, named in honor of a former Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, recognizes contributions made by individuals or agencies that support the University’s mission on diversity.
Outstanding Advising Award
Shonna Trowbridge, Director of Student Success, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation
The Outstanding Advising Award recognizes an employee who has contributed substantially to excellence in undergraduate academic advising.
Outstanding Community Engagement Award
Sarah Ward, Communications and Marketing Manager, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center
The Outstanding Community Engagement Award recognizes important, innovative, and mutually beneficial community engagement work at the 91次元.
Outstanding Service to Students Award
Andrea Janssen, Director, Financial Education Office
The Outstanding Service to Students Award recognizes exemplary service by staff, including academic and personal advising, to the student body.
Outstanding Staff Award–Campus Interaction & Meritorious Job Performance
Kat Cowley, Director of UM Food Pantry and Bear Necessities, ASUM
This award focuses on a staff member who not only exceeds expectations within their department, but also interacts and provides service to campus and creates a positive impression of their department by their spirit of service, interactions with others, and impact outside of the department.
Outstanding Staff Award–Excellence In Job Performance
Mary Opitz, Financial Aid Specialist, Financial Aid Office
This award focuses on a staff member who excels in all aspects of their position, possesses an excellent work ethic and has an extraordinary impact within their department as a role model - connecting with students, staff, faculty, or administrators.
Outstanding Teamwork Award
Facilities Services Leadership Team (Jameel Chaudhry, Mike Eglin, Tim Gauthier, Dena Griffin, Ian Hamilton, Jill Johns, Stephanie Lyons, Austin Mahler, Shawn Monson, Kim Nielson, Samantha Romero, John Seeland, Barbara Skeesick, Jason Skelton, and Connor Stahly)
The Outstanding Teamwork Award recognizes staff from any office, unit, department, or group for working exceptionally well together to perform the assigned mission.
Robert T. Pantzer Presidential Humanitarian Award
Erin McDaniel, Program Coordinator, School of Theatre & Dance
The Robert T. Pantzer Presidential Humanitarian Award is granted annually to a person from the 91次元 or the State of Montana who has contributed substantially to making the University a more open and humane learning environment.
Tom Boone Town and Gown Award
Dr. Rachel Severson, Associate Professor, Psychology
The Tom Boone Town and Gown Award was established to recognize faculty members who foster a deeper understanding between the 91次元 and Missoula. The award honors Missoula attorney and longtime University friend, Thomas H. Boone.
2025 Faculty Mentor Awardees
These awards will be presented at the UM Conference on Undergraduate Research Awards and Faculty and Graduate Student Undegraduate Mentorship Celebration on Wednesday, April 30.
Lisa Eby, Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences – Undergraduate Mentor Awardee
Quan Manh Ha, Literature - Undergraduate Mentor Awardee
Mark Hebblewhite, Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences – Graduate Student Mentor Awardee
Jinging Sun, Educational Psychology– Graduate Student Mentor Awardee
Erim Gómez, Ecosystem and Conservation Studies –Undergraduate Mentor Honorable Mention
UM Sustainability Awards
These awards will be presented at the UM Sustainability Awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 29
Nick Cantoni, Purchasing Manager, Campus Dining
Jameel Chaudhry, Interim Director, Facilities Services
Davidson Honors College leadership team (Tim Nichols, Kylla Benes, Katie Cordingley, Andy Josten)