Commitment to Excellence Award

University of Detroit Mercy established the Commitment to Excellence Award to recognize Detroit Mercy’s outstanding staff and administrators. Detroit Mercy is fortunate to have employees who possess and exhibit outstanding qualities and who are committed to the success of its future. The Commitment to Excellence Award will be presented to three outstanding staff and administrative employees. One of these awards will be the Rising Star Award given to an employee who has been with the University less than two years.

Nomination Instructions:  

Deadline for nominations is Monday, November 14, 2022 @ 11:59pm.

All award recipients will receive a monetary award, a certificate and a commemorative gift. Names of each recipient will be displayed on the larger commemorative award housed within the HR department.

Criteria

Nominees are considered based upon the following criteria:

  • The recipient consistently carries out his/her responsibilities professionally and collaboratively, providing excellent service to all those with whom he/she works and serves.
  • The recipient promotes and demonstrates the mission of the University and the goals of his/her college, school or department.
  • The recipient takes initiative in his/her work, going above and beyond what is required.
  • The recipient is dedicated, passionate and approaches work life with a positive attitude.

Eligibility

All full-time staff (non-exempt) and administrative (exempt) employees of the University are eligible.  

Those not eligible for nomination:

  • Prior recipients (unless they received the "Rising Star" award as a new employee and now have two or more years of service), the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, and the members of the Staff and Administrator Development Team. 
  • Former Staff and Administrator Development Team members may not be nominated until one full calendar year after their term expires.

            Please note that actively seeking nominations is not in the spirit of the award, and therefore discouraged.

Award recipients will comprise:

  • One staff and one administrative employee with two or more years of service.
  • One staff or administrative employee with less than two years of service.

Any faculty, staff or administrative employee of Detroit Mercy may nominate employees for the award. The name(s) of the nominators will be confidential.

Note: Detroit Mercy employees who have nominated a staff or administrative employee who were not selected as a recipient of this award in a previous year are encouraged to update and re-submit nominations as long as the nominee is eligible and meets the criteria.

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    Past Recipients

    2021

    • Lezly Pruitt – Staff 
    • Rebecca Simkins Nowak – Administrator 

    2020

    • Karen Lee – "Rising Star"
    • Alan Devlin – Staff
    • Michael Sadler – Administrator

    2019

    • Marisa A. Tucker – "Rising Star"
    • Rahima Ahmed – Staff
    • Megan E. Novell – Administrator

    2018

    • Clara L. Gamalski – "Rising Star"
    • Jamal A. Alhabeil – Staff
    • Beverly A. Matlas – Administrator

    2017

    • Tanya E. Lundberg – "Rising Star"
    • Melanie Nevels – Staff
    • Dorothy M. Stewart – Administrator

    2016

    • Rafael Cruz – "Rising Star"
    • Maria Niedek – Staff
    • Kathleen Walker – Administrator

    2015

    • Michael T. Armstong – "Rising Star"
    • Diana M. Swider – Staff
    • Sivagnanasundar Nanthabalan – Administrator

    2014

    • Megan Featherstone – "Rising Star"
    • Crystal Walikangas – Staff
    • Jeffrey Johnson – Administrator

    2013

    • Trevor B. Mannausa – "Rising Star"
    • Mary M. Jackman – Staff
    • Diane M. Praet – Administrator

    2012

    • Leonard Kloft – "Rising Star"
    • Sarah D. Young – Staff
    • Betty Jean Nelson – Administrator

    2011

    • Nancy J. Girardi - "Rising Star"
    • Norma D. Goodlett - Staff
    • Meghann N. Murray - Administrator

    2010

    • Odie Y. Matthews - "Rising Star"
    • Gail M. Jones - Staff
    • Gwendolyn D. Graham - Administrator

    2009

    • Eileen E. Pawlowski - "Rising Star"
    • Mark F. Theut - Staff
    • Kimberly L. Richardson - Administrator

    2008

    • Brandon J. Longmeier - "Rising Star"
    • Dorothy F. Cooper - Staff
    • E. Louise Rae - Administrator

    2007

    • Alysa J. Ouellette - "Rising Star"
    • Laura E. Wright - Staff
    • Diana R. Squires - Administrator

    2006

    • Jessica S. Grimes - "Rising Star"
    • Jane Schley - Staff
    • Kathleen T. Bush - Administrator