Division Awards of Distinction
Award Criteria
All Division of University Advancement employees are eligible for recognition: full-time, part-time, faculty, staff, student and OPS. Length of employment, or lack thereof, is not a disqualifier for eligibility.
The Division of University Advancement's Employee Recognition Program encourages and invites on-the-spot recognition for good work done in the division. Since the inception of the program in June 2017, several employees have been recognized by their peers and celebrated for their distinctive qualities and work. In Spring 2023, the program shifted to a higher gear with new award categories and criteria which reflect on employee and departmental accomplishments over the past fiscal year.
Nominations are to focus on work, projects and/or accomplishments from the prior fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). Self-nominations are welcomed and accepted. Awards will only be given to a selected recipient (recipients if a group) from nominations received for each award category. See new award categories listed below. To complete and submit a nomination form, please click the appropriate blue button below.
Award Categories - Individual
Outstanding New Employee
This award is for division employees who began their employment in the last year and hit the ground running–implementing new ideas and showing great promise in their new roles. Recommendation letter required with nomination.
Distinguished Advancement Employee
This award is for division employees who have been employed for 7+ years in University Advancement and have established a history of hard work, dedication and enthusiasm. Recommendation letter required with nomination.
Outstanding Student Employee
This award is given to a student employee that has shown dedication and innovation in their University Advancement role while managing the responsibilities of a full-time student. Recommendation letter required with nomination.
Advancement Employee of the Year
This award is given to an exemplary employee who has demonstrated thoughtful leadership, a collaborative spirit, innovative ideas and dedication to their work. Their projects in the last year serve as a snapshot of their work, but examples from their entire University Advancement career can also contribute to the nomination for this individual. Recommendation letter required with nomination.
DUA Awards Nomination Form (Individual)
Award Categories - Project
Bright Idea Award
This award is given to the employee or group of employees that created and implemented a new idea that improves operations, raises efficiency or lowers expenditures in their unit. This could be a new process, a reorganized project or a smart solution.
Best Project Award
This award is given to the employee or group of employees that led the charge on a project or initiative that was impressive or successful in the last year.
Advancement Community Service Award
This award is given to the employee or group of employees that executed an initiative in the last year which benefited an external organization, supported a local cause or provided a general public service through University Advancement work.
DUA Awards Nomination Form (Project)
2023 Division Awards of Distinction
Bright Idea Award: Teresa Burgess, Alumni Travel Program
Best Project Award: Nick Croghan, Caitlin Rhea, Richard Rodriguez and Hannah Bledsoe, Vandals to Vanguards
Advancement Community Service Award: Jennie McKeon and Margaret Marchuk, WUWF Book Club
Outstanding Student Employee: Ruben Gardner and Hunter Thompson
Outstanding New Employee: Charina Narciso
Distinguished Advancement Employee: Joseph Vincenza
Advancement Employee of the Year: Jessie Cragg
Division Awards of Distinction
OIC: Jennifer Peck
WUWF: Trish Allison
Development: Tori Bennett
Foundation: Jan Butts
Historic Trust: Sylvia Beck
Advancement Services: Margi Baker
WUWF: Robert "Bob" Barrett
Alumni Relations: Missy Grace
Foundation: Candice Lane
Historic Trust: Wendi Davis
Admin Support: Geri Battist
Advancement Services: Summer Reilly
WUWF: Cristy Hardy
Alumni Relations: Katie Schutts
Foundation: Marisa Elmore
Historic Trust: Anna Wall
Communications: Claire Stewart
Advancement Services: Greg Miller
WUWF: Jennifer McKeon
Alumni Relations: Teresa Burgess
Foundation: Colleen Parsons
Historic Trust: Richard Rodriguez
Development: Kathleen Norwood
OIC: Leonor Roper
Admin Support: Stella Awo Kpogli
Admin Support: Mikey Lefevre
WUWF: Theresa Clark
Foundation: Anthony Manzi
Historic Trust: Anna Lochas
Development: Sierra Ebert
OIC: Colton Currier
Peer Recognition Nominees
Alumni Relations: Teresa Burgess, Mia Montenaro, Kierra Potts, Katie Schutts, Kayla Stanley, Robin Zimmern
Development/Advancement Services/Annual Giving: Sierra Ebert, Jaz Fonseco-Folden, Margi Baker, Summer Reilly, Justin Bennett, Morgan Zettle, Tori Bennett, Elizabeth Gray
Foundation: Anthony Manzi, Charina Narciso, Daniel Roy, Gina Sharp, Eva "Jan" Butts, Giovanni "Gianna" Volpara
Historic Trust: Jessie Cragg, Nick Croghan, Wendi Davis, Amy Eve, E. Alli Hayes, Anna Lochas, Lori McDuffie, Caitlin Rhea, Ross Pristera, Phillip Mayhair, Rick Sivley, Richard Rodriguez
Institutional Communications: Hannah Bledsoe, Lacey Berry, Colton Currier, Lewis Garvin, Morgan Givens, Allison Morgan, Jennifer Peck, Carly Richards, Leonor Roper, Brittany Sherwood, Joe Vinson, Stephanie Yancey
Vice President Office and Admin Support: Stella Awo Kpogli, Geri Battist, Michael "Mikey" LeFevre, Giulia Marques Negrão de Almeida, Howard J. Reddy, Claire Stewart
WUWF: Patricia "Trish" Allison, Sandra Averhart, Theresa Clark, John Macdonell, Margaret Marchuk, Jennie McKeon, Sarah Jane Brock, Nolan Costa, Cristy Hardy, Anthony Potts, Joe Vincenza
Advancement Services: Greg Miller, Summer Reilly, Daniel Roy
Alumni Relations: Teresa Burgess, Missy Grace, Abbie Hopper, Kierra Potts, Katie Schutts
Development: Kristina Akers, Tori Bennett, Sierra Ebert, Julianne Gaubron, Elizabeth Gray, Kathleen Norwood, Robin Zimmern
Foundation: Eva "Jan" Butts, Marisa Elmore, Candice Lane, Colleen Parsons, Gina Sharp, Giovanni "Gianna" Volpara
Historic Trust & Pensacola Museum of Art: Jessie Cragg, Nick Croghan, Wendi Davis, Amy Eve, Anna Lochas, Sheyna Marcey, Lori McDuffie, Kenyan Murrell, Ross Pristera, Richard Rodriguez, Adrianne Walker, Anna Wall
Institutional Communications: Lacey Berry, Colton Currier, Ruben Gardner, Morgan Givens, Kaylee Jackson, Emily Miller, Allison Morgan, Jason O'Connell, Jennifer Peck, Thatiana Rodriguez, Leonor Roper, Blake Russell, Brittany Sherwood, William Tate, Joe Vinson
Vice President Office and Admin Support: Geri Battist, Stella Kpogli, Michael "Mikey" LeFevre, Claire Stewart
WUWF: Patricia "Trish" Allison, Sandra Averhart, Theresa Clark, Dave Dunwoody, Cristy Hardy, Mayra Heitman, John Macdonell, Margaret Marchuk, Jennie McKeon, Joe Vincenza
University Advancement Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 peer recognition nominee awards were ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alumni Relations: Teresa Burgess, Kathleen Norwood, Katie Schutts, Emalee Bush
Development: Tori Bennett, Julianne Gaubron, Elizabeth Gray, Sierra Hansen, Jade McNeil, Kathleen Norwood, Robin Zimmern
Foundation: Jan Butts, Marisa Elmore, and Candice Lane
Historic Trust: Wendi Davis, Sheyna Marcey, Phillip Mayhair, Jim McMillen, Richard Rodriguez, Adrianne Walker
Pensacola Museum of Art: Caitlyn Cooney, Nick Croghan and Anna Wall
Vice President Office and Admin Support: Geri Battist, Stella Kpogli, Audrey Lehman, Lisa Mrahi, Claire Stewart and Jocelyn Wiseman
WUWF: Trish Allison, Dave Dunwoody, Cristy Hardy, Margaret Marchuk, Korbin McCoy, Jennie McKeon and Mayra Quinones.
Advancement Services: Margi Baker, Summer Reilly
Office of the Vice President: Jocelyn Borek, Claire Stewart, Audrey Lehman
Alumni Relations: Teresa Burgess, Kathleen Norwood, Katie Schutts, Emalee Bush
Development: Tori Bennett, Julianne Gaubron, Robin Zimmern, Elizabeth Grey
Foundation: Gina Sharp, Jan Butts, Colleen Parsons
Historic Trust: Krystal Johnson, Jim McMillen, Brenda Turnage, Anna Wall, Sheyna Marcey
WUWF: Lynda Sizemore, Dale Riegle, John Macdonell, Cristy Hardy
Advancement Services: Margi Baker, Eric Ellison, Greg Miller and Summer Reilly
Admin Support: Geri Battist and Jocelyn Borek
Alumni Relations: Teresa Burgess, Missy Grace, Kathleen Norwood, Danny Rubio, Katie Schutts and Nicki Simpson
Development: Tori Bennett, Julianne Gaubron, Sierra Hansen and Robin Zimmern
Foundation: Giovanni Volpara, Marisa Elmore and Candice Lane
Historic Trust: Sylvia Beck, Casey Campbell, Caitlyn Cooney, Jessie Cragg, Wendi Davis, Jennifer Eaton, Felicia Gail Edwards, Amy Eve, Krystal Johnson, Phillip Mayhair, Jim McMillen, Kenyan Murrell, Rick Sivley and Jacki Wilson
WUWF: Sandra Averhart, Robert Barrett, Theresa Clark, Jennifer McKeon and Joe Vincenza
Advancement Services: Margi Baker, Eric Ellison, Greg Miller and Summer Reilly
Admin Support: Geri Battist and Jocelyn Borek
Alumni Relations: Teresa Burgess, Missy Grace and Kathleen Mills
Development: Tori Bennett, Brett Berg, Sierra Hansen and Meredith Jones
Foundation: Candice Lane
Historic Trust: Wendi Davis, Amy Eve, Krystal Johnson, Sheyna Marcey, Phillip Mayfair, Ross Pristera, Adrianne Walker
Advancement Services: Greg Miller
Admin Support: Jocelyn Borek, Deborah Tripp
Alumni Relations: Teresa Burgess, Missy Grace, Kristi Summerlin
Development: Tori Fish
Foundation: Jan Butts, Giovanni Volpara
Historic Trust: Lowell Bassett, Sylvia Beck, Casey Campbell, Sheyna Marcey, James McMillen, Richard Rodriguez, Adrianne Walker
WUWF: Trish Allison, Bob Barrett, Theresa Clark, Dave Dunwoody, Cristy Hardy