2023 Awards for Excellence
The 2023 Awards for Excellence Ceremony was held on April 25, 2023 in Bear Down Gym. Honoring employees for their achievements in furthering the missions of the University of Arizona, recipients are nominated by colleagues and peers and selected by a panel of volunteer judges made up of staff and faculty.
This award recognizes a career of service to the University of Arizona and the community by someone who loves the UA and acts in the spirit of Billy Joe Varney.
Pamela Perry, Senior Associate Dean for Eller Programs
Eller College of Management.
This award recognizes a career of service to the University and the community by someone who loves the UA and acts in the spirit of Billy Joe Varney.
Nominated by: Julie Trujillo
Individual Awards are presented to approximately 9 members of the Classified and University Staff, regardless of their length of service, classification or pay grade. These awards are designed to recognize outstanding achievements.
Kristy Clairmont
Legal Paraprofessional Program Coordinator
James E. College of Law
Nominated by: Catherine Monro
Kristy has had a tremendous impact on our program and in the community. She promotes and supports diversity, removing barriers students face, securing scholarships to allow them the financial means to continue. Kristy has almost single-handedly built the pipeline for legal paraprofessional students, bringing Arizona to the forefront of innovation in legal education.
Richard Edmiston
Director of Business & Finance
College of Humanities
Nominated by: Ken McAllister
Richard handles a “mind-bending” array of business activities for the College of Humanities. Richard’s efforts have supported significant increases in sponsored projects awards to COH. Additionally, his initiative to organize and collate the College’s scholarships has had a tremendous positive impact on students. Richard “is an outstanding leader, colleague, and communicator.”
Lisa Garcia
Custodian
Facilities Management
Nominated by: Mandi Corenblum
Lisa has been with the University for nearly 30 years and her dedication to her job is unparalleled. She is passionate about health and safety of the building’s occupants and goes the extra mile to understand the needs of the researchers and scientists under her charge. Lisa is an effective mentor, training incoming custodians and leading by example. “She is the best of us.”
Sharon Halverson
Senior Clinical Coordinator
Infectious Diseases
Nominated by: Sascha Bianchi
Sharon is member of the Peterson HIV Clinics team. She is a thoughtful, tireless advocate who builds rapport with patients. She is a collaborative colleague and mentor. Her experience and dedication to patients has positively impacted the quality of care, helped overcome barriers to care, and improved access to mental health and substance use resources.
Dawn Hunziker
Associate Director
Disability Resources
Nominated by: Amanda Kraus
Dawn started as a student worker and has been with Disabilities Resources for nearly 26 years. She leads the campus in ensuring digital and physical accessibility for all. Dawn was instrumental in the University’s transition to remote learning during the pandemic, providing guidance and support to ensure accessibility. She epitomizes what it means to be a Wildcat.
Bonnie Taylor
Director of Administrative Operations
Arizona Online
Nominated by: Craig Wilson
Bonnie provides outstanding service to the University community. Bonnie strengthens relationships among her own team and between Arizona Online and the community. Bonnie’s efforts have improved efficiency and reduced expenditures while increasing productivity and revenue. She lifts those around her and continually seeks to make a difference.
Betsy Woodhouse
Associate Director
Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR)
Nominated by: Sharon Collinge
Betsy has been a critical leader in the establishment of AIR. Her commitment to excellence is evident in absolutely everything she does. AIR has accomplished far more than expected in its first 2 years as a result of Betsy’s skilled financial management and focus on low-cost, high-impact programs.
The team award is presented to a team primarily comprised of Classified University Staff and tasked with a specific project or function.
Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences Staff
The staff have always been the heart of the department. In the face of multiple tragedies this year, they have shown tremendous leadership and compassion. "Despite struggling with their own challenges, the staff coordinated meetings, arranged services and continued to support the regular business of the department. Their courage, both in the moment and in the weeks and months that followed, have been crucial to the ongoing recovery of the HAS community,"
Business Affairs Shared Services Team
Business Affairs Shared Services (BASS) is an exemplar of teamwork, selflessness, and commitment to the university and the values we at the University embrace. BASS brings across-the-board improvement to business related functions in areas such as fiscal management, budget and planning, communication, human resources, and information technology. BASS consistently performs above and beyond expectations in support of their nine Business Affairs units.
The Department Award recognizes a University of Arizona department for excellence in the management of its people and resources creating a culture of learning and a satisfying work environment.
W.A. Franke Honors College
Creating and cultivating a workplace environment that supports diversity, inclusion and belongingness is a priority for the college. Honors faculty and staff together developed Franke Honors values: We Seek, We Connect, We Create, We Evolve, and We Celebrate. These simple but powerful statements describe the framings of all we do to support our Just Cause as well as guide our work with each other in Franke Honors. This college is a leader in creating and sustaining dynamic and engaging experiences for learners and employees, both within the college and across the University.