Staff Thunderbird Awards
This award is given to a staff member who has built community across disciplines, departments, and divisions on campus and has contributed to cultivating a positive campus culture for employees and students.
This award recognizes a staff member who has excelled at mentoring others (colleagues and/or students) in achieving their career objectives through moral, social, and intellectual support.
Given to one classified and one professional staff member. Each year the Staff Association recognizes and honors two outstanding staff employees. These awards recognize the recipients' career in university service and their dedication to the institution.
Criteria for Selection:
- Possesses extraordinary enthusiasm for his/her job
- Demonstrates a sincere interest in students, faculty and staff
- Must have demonstrable current knowledge in their related employment and exhibit a high level of professionalism
- Works well with fellow employees and demonstrates a sincere interest in all areas of the campus
- A minimum of three years contracted employment at SUU required
- Recipients of this award are not eligible to receive it again for three years.
This award recognizes a staff member who has gone above and beyond their job duties to improve operational processes and/or establish initiatives that support SUU's strategic goals.
The lifetime achievement award is given to a faculty or staff member who has excelled academically or professionally as well as demonstrated outstanding leadership ability and service to the institution during their career at SUU.
This award is intended to formally recognize the outstanding achievements of faculty and staff at SUU with a particular emphasis in teaching, scholarship, administration, innovation, and public service. The recipient is honored by a Certificate of Excellence presented by the Board of Trustees at a designated event in late spring, along with a cash award.
The award criteria for staff members will be quality service according to the staff member’s responsibilities, innovative practices, and other service to the university or the community.
The President's office may follow up with the nominator and nominee to gather additional information in order to provide the Trustees with sufficient material to make their decision. The nominator and/or nominee may submit information beyond what is specifically requested, but it is not expected.
A $2,500 award will be provided to each of the winners in the faculty and staff categories. We hope you will consider nominating candidates who have excelled in serving our students and the university.
The award criteria for staff members will be quality service according to the staff member’s responsibilities, innovative practices, and other service to the university or the community.
Staff Award Past Recipients
- 2020: Pam Branin
- 2019: Emily Forshee
- 2018: Brandon Street
- 2017: Donna Law
- 2016: Pam Branin
- 2015: Bill Heyborne
- 2014: Christopher Ralphs
- 2013: Eric Kirby
- 2012: Rita Osborn
- 2011: Brad Bishop
- 2010: Carl R Templin
- 2009: Rita Osborn
- 2008: Mark Baker
- 2007: Rita Osborn
- 2006: Matt Nickerson
- 2005: Pam Branin
- 2004: Helen Boswell
- 2003: Bonnie Mitchell Green
- 2002: Carmen Aldredge
- 2001: Greg Powell
- 2000: Noemi Moses
- 1999: Jean Reeve
- 1998: Cal Rollins
- 1997: Richard Wittwer
- 1996: Michael Donovan
- 1995: Judith Southworth
- 1994: David Nyman
- 1993: Nancy Glomb
- 1992: Monica Moe
- 1991: David Nyman/Doris Williamson
- 1990: Doris Williamson
- 1989: Robert Lauritzen
- 1988: Lynne Finton
| Dates | Staff | Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Matt Nickerson - Library | Ty Redd - Chemistry |
| 2024 | Shauna Mendini - Interim Provost | Brandon Wiggins - Physics |
| 2023 | Donna Law - Community & Government Relations | Matt Barton - Communications |
| 2022 | Stephen Lisonbee - Regional Services | Rheana Gardner-Reeves - Photography |
| 2021 | Heather Ogden - Dean of Students | William Heyborne - Biology |
| 2020 | Scotty Bauman - Women's Gymnastics | Tyler F. Stillman - Marketing |
| 2019 | Christine Proctor -Admissions Processing | Grant Corser - Hum & Soc Sciences |
| 2018 | Jayci Bash - Honors Program | Jacqualine Grant - Biology |
| 2017 | Reece Summers - SUMA | Matthew Nickerson - Library |
| 2016 | Eric Kirby - Student Services | Emily Dean - Anthropology |
| 2015 | Andrea Stiefvater - ESL | Todd Petersen - EDGE |
| 2014 | Paula Alger - Business | Xun Sun - Music |
| 2013 | Eric Houle - Track & Field | David Berri - Economics |
| 2012 | Peter Sham - Theatre Arts | |
| 2011 | James Aton - English |
- 2023-24: Cynthia Hawk, Landry Igiraneza
- 2022-23: Julie McCown, Christin Stephens
- 2020-21: Kholoud Al-Quabbaj, Department of Theatre, Dance & Arts Administration
- 2019-20: Angela E. Pool-Funai, Junice Acosta
- 2018-19: Silvia Kozlovska, A.P.E.X. Events
- 2017-18: History, Sociology, & Anthropology Department, Steve Barney
- 2016-17: Michelle Orihel, Scott Knowles
- 2022: Jayson Matlock
- 2020: Andrea Donovan
- 2019: Schvalla Rivera
- 2018: James Sage
- 2017: Jayci Bash
- 2016: Jennifer Sorenson
- 2015: Katya Konkle
- 2014: Eric Kirby
- 2013: Johnny Oh
- 2012: Donna Eddleman
- 2011: Dialea Adams
- 2010: Pamela Branin
- 2009: Lynne Brown
- 2008: Katherine Nelson
- 2007: Georgia Beth Thompson
- 2006: Dr. Stephen D. Bennion
- 2005: Paula Alger
- 2004: Richard Banks
- 2003: Major Richard Miller
- 2002: Tony Jewkes
- 2001: VaLynne Nicholes
- 2000: Shana Bland
- 1999: Andrea Masterson
- 1998: Ray Pittman
- 1997: Nolan Truman
- 1996: Chris Nelson
- 1995: Yvonne Parry
- 2025: Information Technology
- 2024: Center for Teaching Innovation
- 2023: Facilities Management
- 2025: Mackenzie Jenkins
- 2024: Kaity Kuhn
- 2023: Mike Miller
| Classified Staff | Professional Staff | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Sheri Butler | Rob McCollum |
| 2020-21 | Joni Edgel | Eric M. Kirby |
| 2019-20 | Alison Adams | DeNean Peterson |
| 2018-19 | Shane Flanigan | Marsha Rowley |
| 2017-18 | Kaylynn Jensen | Brian Fullerton |
| 2016-17 | Mike Smith | Daniel Bishoff |
| 2015-16 | Dan Camp | Brandon Armstrong |
| 2014-15 | Dallas Jones | Josh Foremaster |
| 2013-14 | Quinn Mathews | James Matthews |
| 2012-13 | Patrick Terrones | Dale Orton |
| 2011-12 | Ross Murdock | Paula Mitchell |
| 2010-11 | Mike Humes | Lee Byers |
| 2009-10 | Clarisse Lunt | Ben Johnson |
| 2008-09 | Jennifer Hunter | Bruce Barclay |
| 2007-08 | Andrea Masterson | Glen Pryor |
| 2006-07 | Kristina Stevenson | Pamela Branin |
| 2005-06 | Dianne Werber | Blaine Edwards |
- 2025: Ross Murdock
- 2024: Christine Proctor
- 2023: Mitch Bealer
- 2025: Famke Halma
- 2024: Shayla Inskeep
- 2023: Karson Rasmussen
| 2024-25 Lauri Garfield Andrea Masterson |
2023-24 Shelly Roy Dialea Adams |
|
| 2022-23 Kendall Parry Alison Adams |
2021-22 Scott Carlile Heather Garcia |
2020-21 Katya Konkle Michael Humes |
| 2019-20 Teresa Andrews Lance D. Jackson |
2018-19 Brad Niederhauser Cindy Moxley |
2017-18 Annette Murray Brad Brown |
| 2016-17 Mary Jo Anderson Ron Cardon |
2015-16 Lynn Price Kristin Wiggins |
2014-15 Eli Smith Jill Whitaker |
| 2013-14 Tammi Miller Bryce Caine |
2012-13 Barbara Rodriguez Dallas Jones |
2011-12 Linda Liebhardt Tiger Funk |
| 2010-11 Rudia Heddings John Shafer |
2009-10 Paula Alger Travis Rosenberg |
2008-09 Sheri Butler Neuman Duncan |
| 2007-08 Stacia Thomas Casey Bowns |
2006-07 Rossina Felstead Timothy Roy |
2005-06 Lea Decker Randy Humphries |
| 2004-05 Brent Felix Patricia Gardner |
2003-04 Jeanette Ormond Matt Vandenberghe |
2002-03 Jean Huntsman Matt Zufelt |
| 2001-02 Pauline Bulloch Eric Tait |
2000-01 Beverly Anderson Wes Brinkerhoff |
1999-00 Marva Middleton Marlon Steele |
| 1998-99 James M. Crouch Jeanette R. Slack |
1997-98 Lois L. Bulloch Kirt Bussio |
1996-97 Ruth Challis Gordon Slack |
| 1995-96 Luann L. Briggs Chris Gale |
1994-95 Harman Bonniksen Marlynn Smith |
1993-94 Daphne Dalley Cal Rollins |
| 1992-93 VaLynne Nicholes Dan McClanahan |
1991-92 Gary Dunford Betty Kingsford |
1990-91 Dale Orton Peg Thorley |
| 1989-90 Sheila Johnson R. Scott Phillips |
1988-89 Eva Deen Milne Nolan Truman |
1987-88 Mary Leone Foley |
| 1986-87 Lorraine Warren |
1985-86 Maxine Stolk |
1984-85 Sandy Gillies |
| 1983-84 Zelma Alger |
1982-83 Bessie Dover |
1981-82 Ken Benson |
| 1980-81 Jean Morrison |
1979-80 Ward Robb |
1978-79 Shirley Cowan |
- 2025: Kol Gibson
- 2024: Jana Stoneman
- 2023: Sara Greener
- 2022: Paige Raw
- 2020: Cyrita Lee
- 2019: Olivia Crowl
- 2018: Ryan Conti
- 2017: Matthew Laws
- 2016: Douglas Bennett
- 2015: Parker Hess
- 2014: Kevin R. Koontz
- 2013: Rebecca VanSleeuwen
- 2012: Dalaki Livingston
- 2011: Eric Waits
- 2010: Katherine Montoya
- 2009: Angie Smith
- 2008: Katie Hawkes
- 2007: Jefree Shirley
- 2006: Annie Draper
- 2005: Jerome "Tilt" Tyree
- 2004: Erin Elisabeth Barker
- 2003: Kalie Rae Casselman
- 2002: Richard T. Steadman
- 2001: John Bunkrall
- 2000: Jessi Kay Excel & Marci
- 1999: Dave McDonough
- 1997: Scott Collier
- 1996: Brit Baker
- 1995: Kristy Hatch
- 1994: Reza Razavi
- 1993: Sandy Lord
- 1992: Pete Johnson
- 1991: Jay Puempel
- 1990: Mark Holyoak
- 1989: Oscar Fakahua
- 1988: C. Tad Brinkerhoff
- 1987: Juan Henderson
- 1986: Mark Morman
- 1985: Stuart Jones
- 1984: R.Scott Price
- 1983: Bob Johnson
- 1982: Norman Adams
- 2025: Heather Ogden
- 2024: Nikki Koontz
- 2023: Adam Wilcock
- 2024: Tiger Funk
- 2023: Tiger Funk
- 2022: Tiger Funk
- 2020: Douglas Bennett
- 2019: Stephen Allen & Jamie Orton
- 2018: Hayden Coombs
- 2017: Parker Grimes & Ethan Kleinman
- 2016: Jason Ramirez
- 2015: Scott L. Wyatt
- 2014: Richard E. Kendell
- 2013: Steven D. Harrop
- 2012: Jared Wilcken
- 2011: Stuart Jones
- 2010: David Tanner
- 2009: Neuman Duncan
- 2008: Dean O'Driscoll
- 2007: Annette Murray
- 2006: Mindy Benson
- 2005: Dr. Neal Cox
- 2004: Rick Brown
- 2003: Dr. Abe Harraf
- 2002: Sterling R. Church
- 2001: Tom Douple
- 2000: Dr. Gregory L. Stauffer
- 1999: Michael D. Richards
- 1998: Craig Foreman
- 1997: Harold Hiskey
- 1996: Neuman Duncan
- 1995: Doris Williamson
- 1994: Stuart Jones
- 1993: Charlie Cooley
- 1992: Betty Kingsford
- 1991: Sterling R. Church
- 1990: Rep. Haze Hunter & Sen. Dixie Leavitt
- 1989: Douglas Baker & Michael Donovan
- 1988: D. Mark Barton
- 1987: William B. Bennett
- 1986: Ron Aden
- 1985: Larry Baker
- 1984: Dale Hatch
- 1983: Richard Dotson & Al Tait
- 1982: Dave Taylor