Awards
The following awards and recognition were presented during the 2025 Celebration of Excellence Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall:
- Years of Service Recognition
- Arlan Norman Award for Excellence in Student Mentoring (2) - Dr. Melissa Rice, Geology/Physics & Astronomy (Undergraduate Mentor) and Dr. Ying Bao, Chemistry (Graduate Mentor)
- Carl H. Simpson Bridging Award - Dr. Steve Hollenhorst, WWU Peninsulas Initiative
- Excellence in Teaching Award - Dr. Deborah Hanuscin, Elementary Education
- Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching Award - Dr. Melissa Osborne, Sociology
- Ronald Kleinknecht Excellence in Teaching Award - Dr. Matthew Seifert, Psychology
- Outstanding Classified Staff Awards - Chris Baker, University Marketing and Elizabeth Heitkamp, Outdoor Maintenance
- Outstanding Faculty Leadership Award - Dr. Grace Wang, Urban & Environmental Planning & Policy
- Outstanding Scholarship Award - Dr. Marco Hatch, Environmental Sciences
- Paul J. Olscamp Research Award - Dr. P. Clint Spiegel Jr., Chemistry
- Philip E. Sharpe, Jr. Community Engagement Award - Dr. Kristin Anderson, Sociology
- President’s Exceptional Effort Awards (8) - Meagan Bryson, Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center; Axel Cichocki, Disability Access Center; Caitlyn Daniels, University Marketing; Deborah Frost, Enterprise Application Services; Monica Jackson, Risk, Ethics, Safety, & Resilience; Katy Potts, University Police; Dr. Christina Van Wingerden, Human Services; Amy Salinas Westmoreland, Multicultural Student Services
- Professional Staff Awards for Excellence - Maggie Feeney, Counseling, Health & Wellness Services; Dina Murphy, Financial Aid; Abby Senuty, Career Services Center; John Thompson, University Communications
- WWU Alumni Outstanding Faculty Legacy Award - Dr. Spencer Anthony-Cahill, Chemistry
- Team Recognition Award - WWU Douglass Day Team (Jenny Forsythe, English; David Schlitt, Western Libraries; Nia Gipson, Multicultural Student Services)
- Recent Retiree Recognition
The ceremony was not livestreamed this year, but a video replay is available at the top of this page for those that were not able to attend. Thank you to everyone who attended in support of your colleagues!
Ceremony Program
Performing Arts Center Concert Hall, 8:30 a.m.
Welcome & Words Of Appreciation
Sabah Randhawa, President
Keynote & Emcee
Sislena Ledbetter, Associate Vice President and Jevon Moore, Counseling, Health, & Wellness
Years Of Service Recognition
(Scrolling names)
Awards Presentations
Brad Johnson, Provost & Executive Vice President
Retiree Recognition
(Scrolling names)
Closing
Reception Immediately Following
(PAC Main Lobby)