Paying tribute to members of the UConn community who have gone above and beyond on behalf of the University during the COVID-19 pandemic, President Thomas Katsouleas hosted a virtual COVID Awards ceremony on Thursday afternoon.

The awards were created to celebrate qualities displayed by UConn employees in the face of the pandemic’s myriad challenges. The awards were in five categories – Community, Online Excellence, Valor, Innovation, and Diversity and Inclusion.

Nominations were solicited from around the University, including UConn Health, the regional campuses, and the UConn School of Law.

“As we discovered, there were too many of you who made truly heroic contributions to single out an individual winner in each category,” said President Katsouleas. “That alone is a testament to how well we rose to the occasion as a community.”

Katsouleas made his comments in front of the women’s basketball NCAA Championship banners at the Werth Family Basketball Champions Center.

“It seems only appropriate that we come here to celebrate the passion, teamwork, and dedication of the faculty and staff who were the heroes who helped UConn succeed in the face of COVID,” he said. “In response to the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff and faculty members across our entire University have demonstrated tenacity and strength that would be the envy of any championship team.”

He introduced a pair of videos: one, seen here, that highlights UConn’s response to COVID-19; and the other, a roll call of those nominated for the COVID recognition awards.

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to nominate a deserving colleague and to re-emphasize how proud I am of all the nominees and everyone else in our University who answered the call and rose to the challenge,” said President Katsouleas. “Although your accomplishments may not have been on the court or the field, your teamwork, tenacity, and Husky spirit have marked you as champions.”