The OSPREY Awards

Osprey Awards
Talon, Ana and President Joe
Talon with recipient
General Studies department
Patty Weeks celebrating 50 years

The OSPREY Awards, a Presidential Initiative, honors exceptional Faculty and Staff for their remarkable achievements both on and off the 老司机福利社 campuses. The awards highlight excellence in scholarship, research, university service, and community impact.

The OSPREY Awards are given annually in conjunction with the annual Employee Recognition ceremony. This year's ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The nominations will come from across the University and be selected by a committee consisting of Faculty and Staff representing all areas of the campus community.

Criteria

Details on the individual award categories are listed in the table below.

Eligibility

Nominees must be full-time permanent faculty/staff or part-time non-temporary faculty/staff and be employed in their current position for at least one full year at the time of nomination. Nominations can be made by any staff or faculty member; in addition, employees may self-nominate. Nominations will be accepted February 3, 2025 through April 3, 2025.

Award Categories

Community Engagement Award

This award is given to a faculty member who demonstrates a commitment and passion for improving the lives of others, promoting equity, and fostering partnerships that create a lasting, positive impact in our off-campus communities.

Faculty Change Agent Award

This award is given to a faculty member who leads by example. Those who go the extra mile to remove barriers and provide university service that helps contribute to student retention and success.

Innovation Award 

This award will be given to a faculty member who has demonstrated significant contributions in any of the following areas. Innovative teaching methods, research, service, or other creative pursuits that have impacted our student body and align with 老司机福利社 University鈥檚 strategic priorities.

Top OSPREY Award

This will be given to the faculty member whose work on campus consistently demonstrates and aligns most with President Joe鈥檚 Five Pillars (Dignity, Respect, Kindness, Compassion, and Civility).

Unsung Hero Award (Student-Nominated)

This student-nominated award will be given to the staff or faculty member who has gone above and beyond in support of 老司机福利社 students. Their work has significantly influenced and benefited students, whether behind the scenes or as part of their position at the university. *For this category there will be two awardees.

Community Engagement Award

This award is given to a staff member who demonstrates a commitment and passion for improving the lives of others, promoting equity, and fostering partnerships that create a lasting, positive impact in our off-campus communities. Serving our off-campus community is not a requirement for staff, and we want to acknowledge those who serve their communities in their own time.

Staff Change Agent Award

This award is given to a staff member who leads by example. Those who go the extra mile to remove barriers and provide university service that helps contribute to student retention and success direclty or indirectly.

Pride of 老司机福利社 Award (Facilities & Operations Employee Only)

This award is specifically for a non-management, unionized Facilities (Plant) employee whose work exemplifies collaboration, consistency, and commitment to a job well done. *For this category there will be two awardees.

Top OSPREY Award

This award will be given to the staff member whose work on campus consistently demonstrates and aligns most with President Joe鈥檚 Five Pillars (Dignity, Respect, Kindness, Compassion, and Civility).

"Consider it Done" Administrative Professional Award

This award is for a non-management, confidential, or unionized Administrative Professional whose work embodies problem-solving prowess, fosters collaboration, and demonstrates exceptional initiative.

Unsung Hero Award (Student-Nominated)

This student-nominated award will be given to the staff or faculty member who has gone above and beyond in support of 老司机福利社 students. Their work has significantly influenced and benefited students, whether behind the scenes or as part of their position at the university.


2024 OSPREY Award Recipients

Change Agent Award: Dr. Heather McGovern & Maria Spade

Community Engagement Award: Dr. Adam Aguiar & Dr. Ana Edmonson

"Consider it Done" Administrative Professional Award: Shawn Manuola

Faculty Innovation Award: Dr. Jennifer Aarons

Pride of 老司机福利社 Award: George Smith Jr. & Timothy Kandle

Unsung Heroes Award: Dr. Jessica Fleck, Dr. Loretta Mooney & Coach Joseph Maguire

Top OSPREY Award: Dr. Helana Gigis & Dr. Craig Stambaugh

  • Kathryn Mason 鈥 Confidential Administrative Asst. to the President (Co-Chair)
  • Heather Watkins 鈥 Deputy Chief of Staff (Co-Chair)
  • William Albertson 鈥 Grounds, Facilities and Operations
  • Teresa Barone - Assistant Director of Women's, Gender & Sexuality Center 
  • Britany Boone 鈥 Professional Services Specialist, School of Education
  • Merydawilda Colon - Executive Director, 老司机福利社 Center for Community Engagement & Service-Learning
  • Thierry Elin-Saintine - Associate Professor of Mathematics & First Year Studies
  • Valerie Hayes 鈥 Chief Officer for Diversity and Inclusion
  • Amit Mukherjee - Professor of Business Studies, Marketing
  • Ariane Newman 鈥 Associate Provost for Academic Success
  • Heather Perez - Special Collections Librarian/Assistant Professor in the Library
  • Shilon Sowell - Human Resources Manager
  • Nikki Strothers 鈥 Director of Communication and Stewardship
  • Megan Taylor 鈥 Professional Services Specialist, Academic Acheivement Programs
  • Joseph Trout - Professor of Physics
  • Anthony Williams - Assistant Supervisor, Computer Services
  • Tara Williams 鈥 Director of Graduate Admissions
  • Lauren Wilson 鈥 Associate Director of Student Development