Thursday, April 17, 2025 in the Kirby Ballroom

University of Minnesota System Awards

Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education

This honor is awarded to exceptional candidates who exemplify the University's commitment to excellence in undergraduate education.

• Paul Bates, Biology, SCSE
• Victor Lai, Chemical Engineering, SCSE
• Carter Meland, American Indian Studies, CAHSS
• Jeanine Weekes Schroer, Geography & Philosophy, CAHSS

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award 

This award honors faculty who have done significant research, teaching or service/leadership to advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion at the University, in the person's field of study, or in our broader community. These awards are meant to advance and elevate equity work; provide funding in recognition of the value of that work; and showcase critical scholarship, pedagogy, and community engagement.

• Ryan Goei, Communication, CAHSS

John Tate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising

This award recognizes and rewards high-quality academic advising and the contribution it makes to helping students formulate and achieve intellectual, career, and personal goals.

• Jennifer Webb, Art & Design, CAHSS

McKnight Presidential Fellows Award

This is a three-year award given to those granted both tenure and promotion to associate professor in an academic year. It recognizes recipients who are recommended by their college deans as being truly outstanding in their fields. The award is based on research and scholarly excellence, leadership, potential to build top-tier programs, and ability to advance University of Minnesota priorities.

• Craig Hill, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, SCSE

University of Minnesota Duluth Awards:

Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching 

This award recognizes faculty who have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching mission of UMD and reflects UMD’s emphasis on high-quality undergraduate and graduate education. This award honors faculty for innovative pedagogy, development of creative and critical thinking, student mentoring, commitment to liberal education, leadership and impact within a department.

• Rebecca Boyle, ELWS, CAHSS

Chancellor’s Distinguished Research/Creative Activity Award

Faculty members who receive this award are honored for their excellence in research or creative activity, scholarly or artistic contributions to individual disciplines, and dedication to student research.

• 10+ Years of Service: Tom Hrabik, Biology, SCSE
• <10 Years of Service: Melissa Maurer-Jones, Chemistry & Biochemistry, SCSE

Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Public Service 

This award honors faculty who have demonstrated extraordinary and sustained commitment to public service and community engagement. It recognizes faculty who have integrated civic and community engagement in their teaching; shown leadership in advancing students’ civic learning; conducted community-based research; fostered community partnerships; promoted the scholarship of engagement among his/her colleagues; or made contributions to positive change on issues of public concern.

• Burke Scarbrough, ELWS, CAHSS

Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Advisor Award

The Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award is given each year to faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding service to their undergraduate students.

• Mary Stenson, Applied Human Sciences, CEHSP

Outstanding Graduate Faculty Advisor Award

This award is presented each year to faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding service to their graduate students.

• Sharyl Samargia-Grivette, Communication Sciences and Disorders, CEHSP

Outstanding Staff Awards

• Iris Carufel, Social Work
• Jody O’Connor, American Indian Learning Resource Center
• Bridget Park, Geography and Philosophy
• Cheryl Skafte, Academic Administration

Outstanding Staff Team Award

• Hannah Jones & Bekky Vrabel, Kathryn A. Martin Library

Celebrating Staff Years of Service

Celebrating 25 years of service:

Sharyl Beaudin
Paul Cannan 
Kristin Carlson
Dave Clark
Diana Colt
Jimi Cooper
James Degeberg
Matthew Evans
Christina Gallup
Chris Godsey
Brian Gute
Susan Hudec
Sean Huls
Karen Jeannette
Rual Lee
Seung Lee
Jodi Lieske
Jennifer McCleary
Marcus Mcconico
Allen Mensinger
Dawn Moran
Robin Murphy
Lisa Norr
Ted Pedersen
Shey Peterson
Scott Sandelin
Theodore Schoen
John Schwetman
Chris Shovein
John Steger
Steven Sternberg
Ladona Tornabene
Krista Twu
Lynn Velander
Robert Weidner
LilaAnn White
Carlee Williams
George Zimmerman

Celebrating 30 years of service:

Sally Bradt
Greg Cane
Carlos Carranza-Torres
Lori Chesser
Aaron Johnson
Jeffrey Kalstrom
Victor Krause
Robert Lloyd
Linda Marnich
Joy Michalicek
Theresa Orso
Amy Sather
Patrick Schoff
Scott Schulz
Peter Spooner
Mark Whitlock
Janelle Wilson

Celebrating 35 years of service:

Rodger Brannan
Nancy Carl
Randall Carlson
Becky Christy
William Dixon
Jody Elwell
John Greene
Zhuangyi Liu
Vickie Miller
Jody O’Connor
David Stromme

Celebrating 40 years of service:

Gregory Grunwald
Eil Kwon
Kimberly Lundy