Honorees in the 10th annual UConn Spirit Awards, which celebrate exceptional employees at UConn, were announced at a ceremony for the University community on Thursday, March 11, 2024, in the North Reading Room of the Wilbur Cross Library.
Every year, the ceremony recognizes the efforts of employees, especially staff, in building community and promoting civility at the University. 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.
“We have a huge community of people who love and who care and take great pride in UConn,” says President Radenka Maric.
“This is an opportunity to single out some of our outstanding staff members and to learn a little more about what goes on throughout our campuses,” says Lakeesha Brown, interim chief human resources officer. “Despite the diversity of our roles, ultimately have the same single goal in mind, which is securing UConn’s place among the best public universities in the country.”
A total of approximately 275 eligible nominations were received this year for the Spirit Awards.
Their ceremony was also live-streamed and an archived version is available for viewing.
This year’s winners and finalists are:
Unsung Hero Award
Winner: Susan Corbin, School of Pharmacy
Finalist: Meagan Ridder, College of Agriculture, Heath and Natural Resources, Academic Programs
Finalist: Katie Halbruner, Center for Students with Disabilities
Rising Star Award
Winner: Lisa Carrozza, Career Development Center
Finalist: Monica Lattimer, UConn Waterbury
Finalist: Emily Cole, Department of Music
Inclusive Excellence Award
Winner: Mary Anne Roshni Amalaradjou, Department of Animal Science
Finalist: Alexis Monteiro, Department of Residential Life
Finalist: Jonelle Reynolds, Office or Diversity and Inclusion
University Citizen Award
Winner: John Armstrong, Office of Student Care and Concern
Finalist: Bieu Tran, Office of the Vice President for Research
Finalist: Betsy Pittman, University Archivist
Behind the Scenes Award
Winner: Eileen Kapinos, Office of Financial Aid
Finalist: Jeremy Bachand, Facilities Operations Logistics
Finalist: Michael F. Ryan, Facilities Operations Custodial Services
Behind the Scenes Team Award
Winner: Facilities Operations Shop Services (Kadri Ademi, Kevin Bisson, Matthew Burdick, Jordan Burns, Michael Dalpe, David Fontenelle, Kimberly Haley, Roger Lalumiere, Joseph Landry, Matt Lebrocquy, Mark McAvoy, William Miller, Ariel Morales, Sergio Nieto, Alexander Ott, Michael Rossi, Gage Shirghio, Vito Sargis, Robert Wylie).
Finalist: Security Services, UConn Stamford (Matthew Lessard, Alvin Aquino, Josiah Rodriguez).
Team Award
Winner: Center for Students with Disabilities, Accommodations Team (Lara Smith, Carey Jordan, Hayley Jacobs).
Finalist: Dining Services, Husky Harvest Team (Tracey Roy, Heidi Slater, Michael White).
Finalist: Career Development Center, Career Everywhere Committee (Alexandra Garnelis, Kaitlyn Anderson, Christina Badini, Steve Kligerman, Mary Malerba, Evan McMunn, Lisa Carrozza, Amelinda Rossitto, Nancy Bilmes.
