Award of Distinction
The Award of Distinction is the highest honor for university staff and annually recognizes approximately 10 to 15 university employees who have made outstanding contributions to the Emory community. Honorees are recognized at a special event and receive a monetary award.
About the Award of Distinction
Eligibility
All current, regular full-time and part-time staff or post-docs, who have been employed for at least one year are eligible to be nominated. Previous awardees are eligible.
Those not eligible for nomination include faculty, faculty equivalents, librarians, medical house residents, board approved principals, employees of Emory Healthcare, and Emory retirees.
Nomination Categories
Nominations should be based on consistent excellence in the performance of job duties and responsibilities and should cite examples of how the employee has demonstrated distinction in one or more of the following:
- Demonstrated commitment to the public good, a defining part of Emory’s character, through the use of one’s talents and abilities for personal and/or global goals.
- Exemplary contribution while serving on a university committee, task force or commission.
- Significant contribution to an innovation, resulting in increased satisfaction for students, employees, visitors, or alumni.
- Creative suggestion or initiative resulting in a successful new program or service for a department or for the university.
- Innovation resulting in increased efficiency or decreased costs in a department or for the university.
- Establishment of a program or procedure that has improved the safety and security of the Emory community.
- Exceptional contribution that advances and supports the quality of teaching or research.
- Long-time exceptional service and dedication to Emory which has led to a legacy of achievement over the span of one’s career.
Nomination Process
Nominations can be made by any faculty or staff member and require the endorsement of the nominee's supervisor. Employees may not nominate themselves.
A school/division may submit one nomination for every 50 FTE regular staff.
To nominate someone, use the Award of Distinction Nomination Form.
Nomination summaries cannot exceed 500 words.
Nomination forms must be received no later than midnight, Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Nominations received after midnight on the deadline date will not be considered.
Support Letters
A minimum of one letter of support must accompany each nomination to demonstrate broad support for the nominee. Up to three letters of support can be included, and multiple people can sign a single letter of support. Letters of support should not be written by the nominator. Only letters of support received by the deadline will be included with your nomination application and submitted to the review committee.
Tips
Review these tips for submitting a competitive nomination:
- Follow the internal process of your department or school. Most units have their own procedures regarding how these nominations are submitted through their leadership. Before you begin a nomination submission, check with your HR rep or HR leader to ensure your nominee is eligible for consideration and departmental leadership will support the nomination. In the past, some nominations have not made it through to committee review because internal protocols were not followed.
- Present a strong and compelling case for your nominee. One or two sentences will not make a competitive nomination.
- Gather support letters. These are important to show broad support for your nominee.
- Don’t wait until the last minute. Allow yourself time to put together a competitive packet and ensure all the necessary signatures are obtained.
Selection Process
All nominees will be reviewed by a selection committee of employees from a variety of roles across Emory. Each nomination will be scored on the following:
- How well the nominee demonstrates one or more of the Award of Distinction nomination categories.
- How effectively the nomination form demonstrates the nominee’s exceptional contributions beyond their regular job duties.
- The extent to which the nominee's contributions have an impactful effect on Emory.
- The degree to which the nominee has embodied and promoted the mission and principles of Emory University in their daily work.
- The extent to which the nominee has enhanced the atmosphere at Emory and positively influenced those around them.
- How the nominee engages with and contributes to the broader Emory community, both within and beyond their immediate department.
Notifications will be made by Friday, March 13, 2026.
Communication and Celebration
Human Resources notifies each award recipient and his/her respective dean or vice president. Recognized honorees will be invited to a special dinner. This year's event will be held on April 14, 2026.
Past award recipients
Note: Due to the pandemic, the Award of Distinction was not held in 2020 or 2021.
- Maury Allums, Office of Spiritual and Religious Life
- Lot Soliman Bercasio, MBA, School of Medicine
- Marcie Burnham, Emory National Primate Research Center
- Beth Davis, The Carter Center
- Javier De Jesus, Winship Cancer Institute
- Christopher Fox, Campus Services
- Kara Grant, Campus Life
- Arnita Howard, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
- Lisa J. Loveall, Campus Life
- Vianca Ruby Marwaha, Campus Services
- E. David Morgen, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Daniel Parson, MS, Oxford College
- Jacquelyn Pritz, BFA, BSBA, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Renee Sevy-Hasterok, MSW, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Amanda Yu-Nguyen, EdD, MPH, Oxford College
- David Carroll, PhD, The Carter Center
- Kate Grace, Campus Life
- Freda Hall, Campus Services
- Michael Kloss, Advancement and Alumni Engagement
- Lisa Nuñez, BS, MDP, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
- Harriet Ruskin, Goizueta Business School
- Annie Shanley, PhD, Michael C. Carlos Museum
- Gina Shannon, MAT, School of Medicine
- Circe Tsui, MS, Office of Information Technology
- Betty J. Webb, School of Medicine
- Terez M. Whatley White, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Blaire Wilson, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Roland C. Witter, Campus Life
- Emma Yarbrough, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Chris J. Alexander, Enterprise Messaging System Engineer, Office of Information Technology
- Willie Brokenburr, Crew Leader, Roads & Grounds, Campus Services
- Mark Burell, Manager, Carlos Museum Bookshop, Provost’s Office
- Zachary Cole, Chief of Staff, Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, President’s Office
- Susan D. Cook, BA, Sr. Academic Degree Program Coordinator, Physics, Emory College
- Priya E. D’Souza, MPH, Lead Public Health Specialist, Rollins School of Public Health
- Rachel E. Fest, Director, Business Services, EVP Business & Administration
- Dawn Francis-Chewning, Educational Analyst III, Student Digital Life, Emory University Libraries
- Hannah Joy Gebresilassie, BSBA, MSJ, Program Coordinator, Emory Votes Initiative, Center for Civic and Community Engagement, Campus Life
- Carol Kelly, MA, RDN, CSSD, CHES, Associate Director, Nutrition Services, Campus Life
- Thomas Manns, Captain, Emory Police Department, EVP Business & Administration
- Emily Staub, Associate Director, Communications, The Carter Center
- Elaine Turner, Sr. Director, Housing Operations, Campus Life
- Channelva Young, RVT, RLATg, Veterinary Technician Supervisor, School of Medicine
- Maggie Beker, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Shelle Wilson Bryant, MTS, Rollins School of Public Health
- Rhonda E. Burke, Rollins School of Public Health
- Megan E. Friddle, PhD, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Josh Gilbert, Campus Services
- Gary D. Glass, PhD, Oxford College
- Geoff Huitt, Office of Information Technology
- Randall Howell Lucius, PhD, Human Resources
- Rob Manchester, P.E., Campus Services
- Sumon Ray, Task Force for Global Health
- Kalpana Rengarajan, PhD, MPH, JM, Office of Research Administration
- Samuel E. Shartar, Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response
- Julie Sullivan, School of Medicine
- Toni Thomas, School of Medicine
- Sara Jackson Wade, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Kira Walsh, PhD, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Jeffrey Weaver, MBA, Office of Information Technology
- Neville L. Whitehead, School of Medicine
- Andrea Williams, RN, Campus Life
- Janelle Clark, School of Medicine
- Frank Gaertner, Emory College
- Peggy Goedken, School of Medicine
- Michele Hempfling, PhD, Oxford College
- Vanda Palmer Hudson, Rollins School of Public Health
- Jennifer Crabb Kyles, Advancement and Alumni Engagement
- Heather Mugg, Provost’s Office
- Dattatraya Hari Patil, MBBS, MPH, School of Medicine
- Deepa V. Pawate, Internal Audit
- Cara L. Smith, Advancement and Alumni Engagement
- Timothy Glenn Stephens, Emory College
- Craig T. Watson, Campus Services/Public Safety
- Julie R. Barefoot, Goizueta Business School
- Tammyjo Best, School of Medicine
- Danielle M. Bruce-Steele, Campus Life
- Jennifer T. Daly, Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Winship Cancer Institute
- Michelle B. James, Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Rollins School of Public Health
- Tamika Kendrick, Campus Service/Department of Public Safety
- Bill Lambert, Finance Division
- Marilyn Hazzard Lineberger, Ph.D., Human Resources/Faculty Staff Assistance Program
- Maya Encantada Meeks, CVT, RLAT, Division of Animal Resources
- Susan Newborn, Oxford College
- Donna Troka, Ph.D., Office of the Provost
- Anjulet V. Tucker, Ph.D., Office of the President
- Jena Black, Rollins School of Public Health
- Amy Dryman, M.Ed., Division of Animal Resources
- Wanda J. Hayes, PhD, Human Resources
- Rhiannon Hubert, Oxford College
- Denese Jester, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Kimberly F. Kerstann, PhD, Winship Cancer Institute
- Joan D. Kowal, Campus Services
- Maurice L. Middleton, Office of the Provost
- Courtnay N. Oddman, Campus Life
- Kathy Siemon, Office of the General Counsel
- Adrienne G. Slaughter, LCSW, Campus Life
- Derek Spransy, Library & Information Technology Services
- Marcus Urquiaga, School of Medicine
- Glenn Williams, Development & Alumni Relations
- Sonia Bell, School of Medicine
- Katherine F. Egan, BSN, RN, CCRC, School of Medicine
- Sharmyn Amos Gipson, Division of Animal Resources
- Andrea Elizabeth Grant, Office of Multicultural Programs and Services
- Stephanie J. Gray, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Eric Gregory, Campus Services
- Marie M. Hansen, Library & Information Technology Services
- Ginger Kane, Development & Alumni Relations
- Adam R. Malm, School of Nursing
- Jimmy Powell, Campus Services
- Catherine Howett Smith, Michael C. Carlos Museum
- Roderick Stubbs, Oxford College
- Carolyn B. Aidman, PhD, School of Medicine
- Barbara C. Ballisty, EVP Academic Affairs & Provost
- Carolyn Bregman, Development & Alumni Relations
- Yoko Hammond, MS, CRA, Yerkes National Primate Research Center
- Stacy Heilman, PhD, School of Medicine
- Darrell F. Johnson, Emory Police
- Mollie Korski, Emory College of Arts & Sciences
- Stephanie Parisi, Library & Information Technology Services
- Seth Tepfer, Oxford College
- Joel Tingle, Emory College of Arts & Sciences
- Amy Wheeler, School of Law
- Dona Yarbrough, PhD, Campus Life
- Audrey Adelson, Human Resources
- Lynell Cadray, School of Nursing
- Annie Carey, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
- Ciannat M. Howett, Office of Sustainability Initiatives
- Deena Keeler, Campus Services
- Jane A. Lawson, School of Medicine
- Sue McAvoy, School of Law
- Sandra A. Schein, Oxford College
- Sam Shartar, Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response
- Mindy Simon, Office of the General Counsel
- Sherry M. Stodghill, Human Resources
- Thomas H. Bornemann, The Carter Center
- Kathleen Carroll, Emory College
- Courtenay Dusenbury, Rollins School of Public Health
- Jasmine Hoffman, School of Nursing
- Jack Kearse, Office of EVP Health Affairs
- Carlton Mackey, Office of EVP Academic Affairs & Provost
- Wayne H. Morse, Jr, Office of Information Technology
- Avril Y. Occilien-Similien, Campus Services
- Michael D. Shutt, Campus Life
- L. Shakiyla Smith, School of Medicine
- Dana Wyner, Campus Life
- Brent Zern, Campus Services
- Michelle Boone, Office of the EVP for Health Affairs
- Holley Butkovich, Office of Critical Event Preparedness & Response
- Julie Delliquanti, University Libraries
- Allison Kay Dykes, Officof Development & Alumni Relations
- Kara Grant, Campus Life
- Herman Howard, Campus Services
- Marsha Howard, Division of Animal Resources
- Nicole Kruse, The Carter Center
- Charlie Raudonis, Campus Services
- Sasha A. Smith, Center for Women
- Cameron Van Tran, School of Medicine
- Maria Wackerly, International Student & Scholar Services
- Clifton Clarno, II, Campus Services
- Alexa DeVetter, Emory College
- Steve Ellwood, School of Nursing
- Kenneth P. House, Campus Services
- Elizabeth G. Kimberl, School of Medicine
- Karen A. Lieber, Division of Animal Resources
- Tim Morris, Office of Information Technology
- Andrea D. Neal, Emory College
- Marvin Quinn Poulson, Emory Police
- Julie A. Shaffer, Campus Life
- Kathy A. Smith, Laney Graduate School
- Kristin M. Unzicker, Rollins School of Public Health
- Lee Clontz, University Technology Services
- Sue Dale, Oxford College
- Morris Durham, Campus Services
- Maggie M. Hassan, Emory College
- Kathryn Kite, School of Nursing
- Edward Lee, Campus Life
- Paula Londe, University Communications & Marketing
- Liz McCarty, School of Medicine
- Nancy L. Miller, MS, RLATG, Division of Animal Resources
- Michael Poole, Emory Police
- Joy S. Budensiek, Oxford College
- Francisco Calderon, School of Medicine
- Katie Chace, Yerkes National Primate Research Center
- Tracy Anne Clark, Emory College
- Adele Clements, Campus Services
- Michael Derry, Emory College
- Kelly Ferguson, School of Medicine
- Larry D. Frederick, University Libraries
- John Mills, University Communications & Marketing
- Nathaniel Poon, Goizueta Business School
- Mary L. Secrest, University Technology Services
- Fie-Jiuan Joan Wang, Campus Services
- Tim P. Ariail, Student Financial Services
- Toni M. Avery, Emory College
- Barbara Brandt, University Technology Services
- Jen Fabrick, Campus Services
- Lewis Fuller, Emory College
- Carol L. Gee, Goizueta Business School
- Dr. Paula G. Gomes, Human Resources, Faculty Staff Assistance Program
- Iruka A. Ndubuizu, Research Administration
- Stephanie Roberts, Office of International Affairs
- James Roland, Campus Life
- Linda Sheldon, Campus Services
- Wesley Thompson, School of Medicine
- Felicia Bianchi, Academic & Administrative IT
- Beth H. Broyles, Office of the Registrar
- Louis Burton, Sr., School of Medicine
- Robert N. (Nick) Fabian, Emory College
- Rosemary Hynes, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
- James R. Johnson, Campus Services
- Gary Robert Morris, Campus Services
- Lisa M. Newbern, Yerkes National Primate Research Center
- Stephen Pittard, School Of Medicine
- Kathy Summers, Emory College
- Kathy S. Vaughn, School of Medicine
- Darlene A. Wyche-Alha-De, School of Medicine
Contact
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