2022 Awards of Excellence
For the sixth year, President Hensrud, together with her Cabinet, will honor employees with the Awards of Excellence at the Employee Recognition Event being held virtually and in-person at 8:30 am on Thursday, April 28 in the Beaux Arts Ballroom.
About the Awards
After consultation with campus stakeholders, President Faith Hensrud initiated a new annual employee awards program, the Awards of Excellence, in 2017. The awards, identified below, recognize and celebrate the dedicated work and service of Bemidji State University faculty, staff and administrators, both over the previous year and across employees’ entire careers at the university.
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This award will be presented to a member of the Bemidji State University faculty or staff who has been employed at BSU for at least five years. The recipient will have an ongoing record of superlative performance and professional excellence combined with significant personal impact in the areas of student success, civic engagement, diversity, sustainability and/or public service. Recipients: 2022 – Diane Backer, executive assistant to the president 2022 – Dr. Joann Fredrickson, professor of business administration 2021 – Dr. John Gonzalez, professor and chair of psychology 2021 – Beth Jensen, eLearning management analyst 2021 – Lesa Lawrence, director of financial aid 2020 – event not held 2019 – Jean Lanners, office & administrative specialist for finance & administration 2018 – Carol Nielsen, professor emerita of business administration 2017 – Dr. Sandra Kranz, professor of accountancy. |
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This award will be presented to a member of the Bemidji State University faculty. The recipient will have demonstrated teaching excellence through evidence of exceptional learning outcomes and quality student advising. Recipients: 2022 – Dr. Brian Hiller, professor of biology 2022 – Dr. Kjerstin Owens, associate professor of biology 2021 – Dr. Angie Kovarik, associate professor of business administration 2021 – Dr. Donna Pawlowski, professor of communication studies 2020 – event not held 2019 – Dr. Pat Donnay, professor of political science 2018 – Dr. Andy Hafs, associate professor of biology 2017 – Dr. Glen Richgels, professor emeritus of mathematics |
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This award will be presented to up to three individual members of the Bemidji State University faculty or staff. The recipient(s) will have gone above and beyond expectations to contribute to the university in the areas of student success, civic engagement, diversity, sustainability and/or public service. Recipients: 2022 (individual) – Bev Hodgson, assistant registrar 2022 (team) – Housing and Residential Life 2021 (individual) – Travis Barnes, director of facilities 2021 (individual) – Teresa LaFriniere, office manager for the School of Technology, Art and Design 2021 (team) COVID-19 contact tracing team 2021 (team) – BSU athletics coaches and staff 2020 – event not held 2019 – Paul Ekhoff, facilities building and maintenance supervisor 2019 – Misty Wilkie, associate professor of nursing 2019 – Jim Stone, assistant professor of human health performance sport and health and head women’s soccer coach 2019 (team) – Student Center for Health and Counseling counselors 2018 – Sandra Beck, facilities services supervisor 2018 – Dr. Shannon Norman, assistant professor of human, performance, sports & health 2018 – Dr. Tom Beech, professor of political science 2017 – Bill Blackwell, Jr., executive director, American Indian Resource Center |
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This award will be presented to one or more individuals and/or members of a team, such as the staff of an office or department. Recipient(s) will be people whose positive attitude and infectious enthusiasm embody the Spirit of BSU through active support of students, student-athletes, coworkers and/or community members. Recipients: 2022 (individual) – Lori Deering, office and administrative specialist, Departments of Accountancy and Business Administration. 2022 (individual) – Dr. Amber Fryklund, assistant professor of human performance, sport and health 2022 (individual) – Bridget Tews, transfer enrollment adviser 2022 (team) – Gillett Recreation and Outdoor Program Centers 2022 (team) – Public Safety 2021 (individual) – Dr. Travis Ricks, associate professor of psychology 2021 (individual) – Theresa Eckstein, tech support analyst 2021 (team) – eLearning support 2021 (team) – human resources 2021 (team) – information technology support 2020 – event not held 2019 (individual) – Chris Haley, printing services 2019 (team) – A.C. Clark Library staff 2018 (individual) – Angie Gora, summer program director 2018 (team) – BSU facilities snow removal team 2017 (individual) – Diane Renken, administrative and technical specialist in the Office of Admissions 2017 (team) – The Student Achievement Conference planning committee |
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This award (new 2021) will be presented to a member or group of Bemidji State University’s faculty and/or staff. The recipient or recipients will have contributed in an unusually positive way to advancing the university’s collaborative engagement beyond the campus for the betterment of Bemidji and/or the broader community. Recipients: 2022 – Ashley Charwood, assistant professor of social work. 2021 – Veronica Veaux, assistant professor of business administration |
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This award (new 2021) will be presented to one or more individuals and/or members of a team, such as the staff of an office or department. Recipients will be people who have demonstrated sustained support for diversity, equity, and inclusion; raised awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion; and/or served as a catalyst for change in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion Recipients: 2022 – Dr. Ye “Solar” Hong, director of diversity, equity and inclusion 2021 – Dr. David Frison, assistant professor of business administration 2021 – Dr. Kathryn Klement, assistant professor of psychology
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