Lindenwood University’s annual awards ceremony is held to honor the staff and faculty who make a difference in the lives of those in the Lindenwood community. The University has 452 staff members with a combined 2,100 years of experience. The ceremony celebrates the value of every university employee while highlighting those who stood out over the past year.

Awards were presented by Staff Council Chair AJ Surrell. “It's wonderful to see the University come together to celebrate and achievements of our faculty and staff and recognize great moments from throughout the year,” Surrell said. “From gathering the nominations, to helping put the show together, to watching the surprise on the faces of the award recipients when their name is called, it's really great to celebrate the success of our peers year after year.”

The ceremony began with the Behind the Scenes Award. This award is given to a staff member who works in a position that does not directly interact with students. The award was presented to Coordinator of Marketing Projects and Operations Christy Weber. “Christy is an integral part of the marketing department and truly exemplifies the Behind the Scenes award. While she doesn't directly interact with students, she works tirelessly to support our marketing efforts and helps us all keep students first in everything we do,” Surrell shared.

The Staff Service Award was presented to Director of Alumni Relations Dr. Jennifer Edler. The award honors a staff member who has exhibited the highest level of service to and promotion of Lindenwood. “No one demonstrates a deeper call to service than Dr. Jennifer Edler. She has been essential in building and fostering relationships with our alumni,” her nomination said. “Jen goes the extra mile for colleagues, students, alumni, and friends. She wears so many hats—an alumna, an employee, a parent, a legacy graduate, and so much more.”

Director of Creative Content Brad Hansen took home the Real Experience. Real Success. Award. This award recognizes a staff member who made a significant impact within their department and the University throughout the previous year. Surrell read, “Brad's contributions have left a lasting impact elevating the quality of work within our department and across the university. Brad has completely transformed our approach to design, setting new standards of excellence and creativity. His dedication to producing top tier work is unmatched and his passion for seeing Lindenwood succeed is evident.” Hansen was recognized for his commitment to mentorship, highlighted by the pride he takes in developing student workers.

Writing Specialist Alexis Bentz received the Rookie of the Year Award. The award is given to outstanding staff members within their first year of service. Bentz's colleagues said, “she's been with LU since May of 2024 and what a difference she has made. Alexis's dedication to serving the academic community is evident through her exceptional contributions to the writing center and beyond.” Bentz’s colleagues complimented her mentoring and students-first mindset. “In every capacity, Alexis exemplifies service collaboration and leadership, making her an invaluable asset to any academic or professional community,” Surrell read.

Writing Specialist Jannah Hotchkiss Carrasco won the Student G.E.M. Award (Going the Extra Mile). Nominated by Lindenwood students, Hotchkiss Carrasco was recognized for an ongoing commitment to providing expert service to the students. A student-worker said Hotchkiss Carrasco “genuinely cares about making the writing center a place where students want to be.” The student continued to highlight how Hotchkiss Carrasco does “the little things” to show students how much she cares, cultivating a second home in the writing center.

Lastly, the Q2 Service Excellence Award was presented to someone who truly embodies what it means to go above and beyond in service to the university community—Manager of Access Services Joanna DeYoung. Her colleagues said “[DeYoung] radiates positivity, always greeting others with a smile, bringing energy to every interaction and making our campus a brighter place. You can see her passion for her work and the way she engages with students, faculty, and staff every single day