Congratulations to the 2021 award winners!

Attendees for the award ceremonies will need to RSVP in advance.

The following award winners will be recognized at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 20 at 12:00 p.m.

Academic Administrator Award

Andrea Vernon, Academic Enrichment

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

Distinguished Service to International Education Award

Clint Walker, World Languages and Cultures

This award is presented to a member of the UM community who has an outstanding record of distinguished service to international education at UM.

Outstanding Community Engagement Award

Nicholos Wethington, spectrUM Discovery Area

The Outstanding Community Engagement Award recognizes important, innovative, and mutually beneficial community engagement work at the University of Montana.

Outstanding Faculty Advising Award

Amanda Jackson, School of Speech, Language, Hearing and Occupational Sciences

The Outstanding Faculty Advising Award recognizes a faculty member who has contributed substantially to excellence in undergraduate academic advising.

Outstanding Staff Award–Campus Interaction & Meritorious Job Performance

Ruth Williams, Business 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

Meri Telin, Bitterroot College

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

Curry Health Center Medical Team

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

Brian French, Office for Student Success

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.

The following award winners will be recognized at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 21 at 12:00 p.m.

Americans with Disabilities Act Award

Dan Bowling, Information Technology

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

Distinguished Scholar Award

Stephen Sprang, Division of Biological Sciences and Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics

The Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes faculty who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of research, creativity, or other scholarly activities.

George M. Dennison Presidential Faculty Award for Distinguished Accomplishment

David Beck, Native American Studies

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

J.B. Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service

Kent Haslam, Grizzly Athletics

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.

Montana Faculty Service Award

Libby Metcalf, College of Forestry and Conservation

The Montana Faculty Service Award recognizes a faculty member who has a history of providing superior, effective service that benefits the University of Montana.

Most Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award

Mike Morelli, Management and Marketing

The Most Inspirational Teacher of the Year award is voted on by students in recognition of a professor who has had an extraordinary impact on their lives.

Nancy Borgmann Diversity Award

Daisy Rooks, Sociology

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 Service to Students Award

Lauren Fern, Mathematics

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

Kenneth Chatriand, Curry Health Center Pharmacy

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

The following award winners will be recognized at a ceremony on Thursday, April 22 at 12:30 p.m.

Distinguished Teaching Award

Christina Yoshimura, Communication Studies

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 upon students.

George M. Dennison Presidential Staff Award for Distinguished Accomplishment

Neil Carson, School of Social Work

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

John Ruffatto Memorial Distinguished Teaching Award

2021: Theresa Floyd, College of Business

2020: Sara Rinfret, Department of Public Administration & Policy

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.