Congratulations to the 2023 award winners!

These award winners will be recognized at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 3 at 9:00 a.m. in the UC Ballroom.

Academic Administrator Award

Camie Foos, Program Manager, Faculty Senate

The Academic Administrator Award recognizes outstanding performance in the fulfillment of assigned responsibilities.

Americans with Disabilities Act Award

Denise May, Lead Sign Language Interpreter, Office for Disability Equity 

This award honors individuals whose important contributions advance education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities at the University of Montana.

Distinguished Scholar Award

Dr. Julie Wolter, Speech, Language, Hearing and Occupational Sciences, and Associate Vice Provost for Innovation & Online Learning, Office of the Provost

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. Kenton Swift, Professor Emeritus, Department of Accounting and Finance, College of Business

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. Natalie Bursztyn, Lecturer, Department of Geosciences, College of Humanities and Sciences

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. Aaron Thomas, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Director of UM's Indigenous Research and STEM Education program

The Dennison Faculty Award recognizes distinguished faculty who have brought excellence, merit, and distinction to the University of Montana.

George M. Dennison Presidential Staff Award for Distinguished Accomplishment

Robin Joseph, Office Manager, UM Housing

The Dennison Staff Award recognizes distinguished staff who have brought excellence, merit, and distinction to the University of Montana.

J.B. Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service

Brad Giffin, Chief, UM Police Department

The J.B. Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service honors an administrator who has made an extraordinary commitment and contribution to The University of Montana.

John Ruffatto Memorial Distinguished Teaching Award

Sherry Liikala, Lecturer, Department of Management and Marketing, College of Business

The John Ruffatto Memorial Award was established to encourage and reward UM faculty who impart practical, applicable principles into their classroom presentations. This award is open to College of Business faculty members on odd years and to all UM faculty on even years.

Nancy Borgmann Diversity Award

Wilena Old Person, Program Coordinator, Health Careers Opportunity Program, College of Health

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 Community Engagement Award

Dr. Greg Larson, Professor, Department of Communication Studies

The Outstanding Service to Students Award recognizes exemplary service by staff, including academic and personal advising, to the student body.

Outstanding Service to Students Award

Shannon Janssen, Associate Director, Office for Student Success

The Outstanding Service to Students Award recognizes exemplary service by staff, including academic and personal advising, to the student body.

Outstanding Service to the Campus Community Award

Nathan Domitrovich, Director, Undergraduate Advising Center

The Outstanding Service to Campus Community Award recognizes employees who serve campus and UM employees in an exemplary manner.

Outstanding Staff Award–Campus Interaction & Meritorious Job Performance

Lia Wilson, Human Resources Associate, Human Resource Services

This award focuses on a staff member who not only exceeds expectations within the department, but also interacts and provides service to campus, someone who creates a positive impression of his or her department by his or her spirit of service, interactions with others, and impact outside of the department.

Outstanding Staff Award–Excellence In Job Performance

Kelly Carrick, Facility Manager, Department of Laboratory Animal Resources, Office of Research and Creative Scholarship

This award focuses on a staff member who excels in all aspects of his or her position, someone who possesses an excellent work ethic and has an extraordinary impact within the department as a role model, connecting with students, staff, faculty, or administrators.

Outstanding Teamwork Award

DOE Audit/Student Services Restructuring Team

Lucy Logan, Tosha Sautbine, Dawn Barnhart, Brenda Ingersoll, Emily Williamson, Sophie Haugsjaa, Joanne Crowley, Ben Froemming, Joneal Szwedkowicz, Maria Mangold, Anta Coulibably, ginger Lowry, Nicholas Ververis

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

Dr. Anna Prentiss, Regents Professor and Co-Chair, Department of Anthropology, College of Humanities & Sciences

The Robert T. Pantzer Presidential Humanitarian Award is granted annually to a person from the University of Montana or the State of Montana who has contributed substantially to making the University a more open and humane learning environment.