More than 3,000 UofL faculty and more than 5,000 staff commit their time and talent to support University of Louisville students from the moment they first arrive on campus to the moment they collect their diplomas at commencement.
The UofL Employee Success Center conferred the 2025 Presidential Excellence Awards at a reception held April 17. The awards recognize employees whose exemplary performance impacts the entire university community.
See photos of this year’s winners.
Read more about the 2025 Presidential Excellence Awards winners.
Here are this year’s winners:
George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award
The annual George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award recognizes the contributions of an extraordinary UofL staff member who exemplifies the traits of its namesake, George J. Howe (humility, generosity and excellence in leadership) as well as the Cardinal Principles. This staff member’s career has had an exceptional impact on the university and its vision to be a great place to learn, discover, connect and work.
- Linda Leake, instructional design and technology specialist III in the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning
Trustees Award
The University of Louisville Board of Trustees established the Trustees Award in 1989 to honor faculty who impact the future of our students. The award recognizes faculty who have an extraordinary impact on students.
- Jasmine Farrier, professor of political science and director of the UofL-Frankfort Internship Program
Cardinal Principles Champions
The Cardinal Principles Champions Award is designed to honor our faculty and staff who demonstrate one of the Cardinal Principles at the highest level of impact.
- Community of Care: Lamar Braggs, Office of the Registrar
- Accountability: Sneha Thapa, College of Education and Human Development
- Respect: VaSean Baker, Physical Plant
- Diversity and Inclusion: Melanie Gast, Department of Sociology
- Integrity and Transparency: Dylan Naeger, Office of Undergraduate Admissions
- Noble Purpose: Bobby Cortes, Bachelor of Social Work Program
- Agility: Chris Sogard, Student Success Center
- Leadership: Linda Fuselier, Department of Biology
Distinguished Faculty Awards
Every year, the university honors faculty who bring distinction to the university through their commitment to the areas of service, teaching and outstanding scholarship, research and creative activity.
Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity
- Basic and Applied Sciences: Jiapeng Huang, School of Medicine
- Creative and Performing Arts: Kevin Gawley, College of Arts & Sciences
- Career Achievement: Jon Klein, School of Medicine
- Social Sciences: Brad Shuck, College of Education and Human Development
- Humanities: Clare Sullivan, College of Arts and Sciences
Distinguished Service
- Service to UofL: Olfa Nasraoui, J.B. Speed School of Engineering
- Career of Service: Tom Owen, University Libraries
- Service to the Profession: Susan Peters, College of Education and Human Development
- Service to the Community, the Commonwealth and/or the Region: Lindsay Della, College of Arts & Sciences
- National/International Service: Jackson Williams, School of Medicine
Distinguished Teaching Professor
- Rebecca Gesler, School of Nursing, full-time
- Rachel Pigg, College of Arts and Sciences, full-time
- Jason Saleem, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, full-time
- Staci Saner, School of Medicine, full-time
- Linda Bledsoe, Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, part-time
Outstanding Performance Awards
The Outstanding Performance Awards recognize university staff (both exempt and nonexempt) who inspire others through their outstanding dedication and commitment to UofL.
- Vanessa Blair, Office of the Registrar
- Luke Button, Office of Human Resources
- Asa Douangasa, Physical Plant
- Courtney Gagel, Speed School Administration
- Anthony Hundley, Sociology, Political Science, Geographic and Environmental Sciences, Anthropology
- Jennifer Lee, Special Education, Early Childhood and Prevention Science
- Geri Morgan, Dean of Students Office
- Jessie Voigt, Disability Resource Center
- Dakota Walker, Center for Military Connected Students
- Hao Zhang, School of Medicine Faculty Affairs and Advancement
Outstanding Supervisor Award
Great supervisors create a culture of engagement that includes supporting the development of team members and sending a strong, consistent message of respect, compassion and trustworthiness.
- Greg Vittitow, Student Success Center
Team Impact Award
Behind every great accomplishment at the University of Louisville is a team of dedicated employees who worked collaboratively to realize their vision. This exceptional team has had a great impact on the university. As the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work.
- UofL Grounds Crew/Physical Plant: Greg Schetler, Superintendent for Grounds; Foremen, Eric Tennill and Wade Fleming; Grounds Mechanic, Jacob Chamberlain; Gardener, Brian Tennill; Groundskeepers, Arthur McKenzie, Cary Ferguson, Glen Hayes, Joseph Kaegin, Michael (Cory) Paul, Patrick Jones, Quintin Kruse, Ruben Clinkenbeard, Shane Blocker, Brian Nevitt, Chrisopher Karrer, Joshua Lewis, Lou Conley, Nick Boysel, Paul Ashmore, Ted Brodzik; Grounds Laborer, Michael Gadd
Distinguished Retiree Excellence Award
This award pays tribute to retired UofL faculty and staff from throughout the UofL community who have demonstrated dedication to scholarship or community service that has had an exceptional impact on the university.
- Stanley Levinson, Retiree
Presidential Commission Awards
Commission on the Status of Women (COSW)
- Champion of Advocacy: Mallory Newby, Employee Success Center
- Champion of Communications: Michelle Rodems, Graduate School
- Climate & Equity Champion: Fannie M. Cox, University Libraries
- Commissioner of the Year: Amanda James, Alumni Engagement
- Volunteer of the Year: Lisa Gunterman, Office of Institutional Equity
- Catalyst: Sarah Frankel, General Counsel
Commission on Diversity and Racial Equity (CODRE)
- Presidential Exemplary Multicultural Teaching Award: Samiyyah Sledge, Department of Biology
- Presidential Exemplary Multicultural Engagement Staff Award: Leondra Gully, Office of Institutional Equity
- Presidential Exemplary Multicultural Engagement Staff Award: Mani Vangalur, J.B. Speed School of Engineering
- Commissioner of the Year Award: Dwayne Compton, School of Medicine Office of the Dean
