March 28, 2019 | Mike Enright '88 (CLAS), University Communications

Spirit Award Winners Honored for Contributions to UConn

Honorees in the annual employee recognition program received their awards on Thursday, at the Alumni Center.

Helena DeBald of First Year Programs and Learning Communities won the rising star award at the UConn Spirit Awards ceremony at the Alumni Center. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Helena DeBald of First Year Programs and Learning Communities was one of the honorees at the UConn Spirit Awards ceremony at the Alumni Center on Thursday. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Honorees in the fifth annual employee recognition program, the UConn Spirit Awards, received their awards at a ceremony in the Great Hall of the UConn Alumni Center on Thursday, March 28.

The annual tradition recognizes the efforts of employees, especially staff, in building community and promoting civility. The Spirit Awards program was originally the result of a survey conducted by the Something’s Happening Committee, which found a significant correlation between supportive interactions among colleagues and productivity on the job.

“I think we all learn something new about our university each time we gather for these awards,” said UConn President Susan Herbst. “The amount of impressive work that goes on here every day is truly outstanding. When we know that our contributions are recognized by our peers, the work we do improves as a result. Far from being frivolous, the identification and celebration of exceptional work is a key ingredient in any successful workplace.

“This is also an opportunity to remember that, despite the broad diversity of our roles and assignments, ultimately we have the same, single goal in mind,” she added, “securing UConn’s place among the best public universities in the country.”

This year’s winners were:

University Citizen Award

Winner: Cinnamon Adams, Graduate School

Finalist: Mary Boston, Student Health Services

Finalist: Pamela Heath-Johnston, Human Resources

Rising Star Award

Winner: Helena DeBald, First Year Programs and Learning Communities

Finalist: Sarah Aggarwala, Student Health Services

Finalist: Emily Zangari, University Communications

Team Award

Winner: Veterans Affairs and Military Programs

Finalist: Center for Career Development, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Finalist: International Student and Scholar Services

Unsung Hero Award

Winner: Ellyssa Eror, Student Health Services

Finalist: Mary Ann Phaneuf, School of Pharmacy

Finalist: Anonymous