Congratulations to the 2026 employee award winners!
These award winners will be recognized at the Employee Celebration Breakfast on Wednesday, April 29 at 8:30 a.m. in the UC Ballroom.
Academic Administrator Award
Steven Lodmell, Interim Associate Dean, Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
The Academic Administrator Award recognizes outstanding performance in the fulfillment of assigned responsibilities.
Americans with Disabilities Act Award
Brandy Reinhardt, Assistant Director for Interpreting and Communication Accessibility, 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
Curtis Noonan, Professor, School of Public and Community Health
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
Brian Dowdle, Professor of Japanese, Department of 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.
Distinguished Teaching Award
Gregory Peters, Associate Professor and Science Discipline Lead, Missoula College
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
Donna McCrea; Head of Archives and Special Collections, Professor; Mansfield Library
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
Anastasia Orkwiszewski, Gardens Manager, Campus Dining
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
Pamela Altmaier, Title IX Coordinator, Office of Conflict, Resolution, & Policy
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 Award
Peter Anzollitto, Associate Professor of Management, College of Business
The John Ruffatto Memorial Award recognizes a business faculty member who imparts practical, applicable principles into their classroom presentations.
Montana Faculty Service Award
Nikolaus Vonessen, Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
The Montana Faculty Service Award recognizes a faculty member who has a history of providing superior, effective service that benefits the University of Montana.
Outstanding Advising Award
Mark Reiser; Lecturer, Faculty Advisor, Recruitment & Retention Coordinator; Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Outstanding Advising Award recognizes an employee who has contributed substantially to excellence in undergraduate academic advising.
Outstanding Community Engagement Award
Allison Wilson, Associate Professor, Phyllis J. Washington College of Education
The Outstanding Community Engagement Award recognizes important, innovative, and mutually beneficial community engagement work at the University of Montana.
Outstanding Service to Students Award
Kristine Steinberg, Director of Accreditation and Licensure, Phyllis J. Washington College of Education
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
Angie Thompson, Assistant Director of Student Engagement and AI Education, Experiential Learning and Career Success Center
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
Chris Riley, Director of ACTivity Class Program and Budget Office, Integrative Physiology & Athletric Training
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
Graduate School Staff (Grace Held, Kelly Speer, Kendall Kihn)
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
Mika Watanabe, Assistant Director, Office for Disability Equity
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.
2026 Faculty Mentor Awardees
These awards will be presented at the UM Conference on Undergraduate Research Awards and Faculty and Graduate Student Undergraduate Mentorship Celebration on Wednesday, April 29.
Beverly Piggot, Biological Sciences - Undergraduate Mentor Award
Mark Plonsky, Theatre and Dance - Undergraduate Mentor Award Honorable Mention
Meradeth Snow, Anthropology - Faculty Award for Mentoring Graduate Research and Creative Activity
Paul Janzen, Physics - Luminary Mentor Award for Graduate Excellence
UM Sustainability Awards
These awards will be presented at the UM Sustainability Awards ceremony on Thursday, April 30
Hilde Huseby, UM Housing
Jordan Crawford, Student Life Program Manager
Campus LED Upgrade Team (Amber McCall, Traci Bauman, Gwen Hastings, Derik Gueke, and Keith Salmon)