Eligibility

All regular staff members, full-time and part-time are eligible, provided they are in good standing with their department and the university at the time of nomination. Previous award recipients are ineligible for a five-year period.

Awards

Award Descriptions / Past Recipients
Real Experience. Real Success Award This award honors and recognizes a staff member who made a significant positive impact within their department and across the university throughout the previous year. They have maintained a high level of productivity and consistent quality of work, demonstrated a high degree of initiative in the performance of functions, displayed exceptional dependability, maintained effective relationships with others, and demonstrated leadership qualities. 2023-2024: Kristie Sissom 2022-2023: Tom Wagganer 2021-2022: Wan Ormes 2020-2021: Matthew Kertzman 2019-2020: Anita Hoeffner 2018-2019: Joseph Weber 2017-2018: Kara Schilli
Rookie of the Year Award This award is given to an outstanding staff member within their first year of service with the university. This person demonstrates excellence in overall job performance, provides significant contributions to their department, shows a willingness to assist beyond normal expectations, demonstrates dedication to the university and promotes an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation. 2023-2024: Grace Barnett 2022-2023: Zeke Chism 2021-2022: Rachel Jagust 2020-2021: Evie Ward 2019-2020: Janet Owens 2018-2019: Rachel Heuermann 2017-2018: Kristin Trotter
Lindenwood Staff Service Award This award is presented to a staff member who has exhibited the highest level of service to and promotion of Lindenwood University. Service could have taken place within Lindenwood or in the surrounding community. This person demonstrates a commitment to providing excellent service to peers, students, parents, faculty, alumni, and/or others in the community, all of which contribute to the high reputation of Lindenwood. 2023-2024: Amy Bowsher 2022-2023: Whitley Huxhold 2021-2022: Jason Hood 2020-2021: Kristen Norwood and Lisa Jacob 2019-2020: Kevin Manley 2018-2019: Brittany Brown 2017-2018: Casey Finnell
Behind the Scenes Award This award is given to a staff member who works in a position that does not directly interact with students but they still live the Lindenwood University mission and provide excellent service to the university through their role by significantly contributing to their department; this is an exemplary colleague and university recognized resource who provides the highest quality of service to the Lindenwood community. 2023-2024: Ginger Hazlewood-Gaylor 2022-2023: Elaine Ragland 2021-2022: Eric Mircsov 2020-2021: Mary Stacy-Brewer 2019-2020: Joyce Daugherty 2018-2019: Greg Cole 2017-2018: Scott Schulz
Student G.E.M. Award (Going the Extra Mile) This award recognizes a staff member who has made an ongoing commitment to providing expert service to Lindenwood's students; they have demonstrated initiative and creativity, exceptional and continuous improvement in student service. This award's nominations should be submitted by students of Lindenwood. 2023-2024: Nia Spencer 2022-2023: Madison Shaw 2021-2022: Tristan Benzon 2020-2021: Skylar Brennan 2019-2020: Jennifer Spellazza 2018-2019: Angie Royal 2017-2018: Nia Spencer
Q2 Service Excellence Award 2023-2024: Chris Rumsey
First Year Programs Student Choice Award 2023-2024: Margaret Waechter
First Year Impact Award – Staff 2023-2024: Wendi Price
Presidents Distinguished Service Award 2023-2024: Kyle Routh

Eligibility to Nominate

The Lindenwood Community (staff, faculty, adjuncts, students, and administrators) is invited to nominate an outstanding staff member for one of five awards. All nominations should include specific and current examples of the staff member's achievements and contributions that reflect the attributes listed for each award.

Selection and Award Process

An Awards and Recognition Committee, appointed by the Staff Council, reviews nominations and recommends staff members for each award category. The Staff Council will review and discuss the recommended award nominees at their March meeting and come to a final determination of award recipients.

Note: The awards selection committee, may, at their discretion, transfer a nominee from the category they were originally nominated to another category for which they are more qualified.

The deadline for nominations will be the last working day of February each year. 

Award Prizes

Award recipients will be recognized at the annual staff meeting and awards ceremony held each spring. Award winners will receive a dedicated parking spot on campus for the following year and be invited to a celebration reception at the Lindenwood House with family and/or friends.