For its dedication to empowering employees across the university, the Employee Success Center was given the from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). The award honors transformative thinking in higher education human resources, recognizing a new and innovative HR team, project or program that resulted in significant and ongoing organizational change within an institution.

“Receiving this award is such an honor to the Employee Success Center team,” said Laura McDaniels, interim director of the Employee Success Center. “It highlights our dedication and the thoughtful work that we put into building programs that encourage connection and engagement across campus.”

The Employee Success Center fosters that engaged and growth-oriented culture at UofL with several forward-thinking initiatives, such as a year-long onboarding process designed to help new employees integrate more fully into university life, leadership development, mentoring and career guidance for all employee groups, along with new and innovative recognition programs.

The center also received recognition earlier this year from the for its efforts to support and recognize employees through its people-centered initiatives, including new staff awards and CARDGrams, university-themed e-cards designed to make daily employee recognition simple, accessible and meaningful. Over 7,500 e-cards have been sent in recognition of colleagues since CARDGrams launched. Additionally, 95% of employees who participated in career coaching sessions reported a stronger sense of belonging.

“These recognitions and successes inspire us to continue creating experiences that strengthen our university community,” McDaniels said.

The UofL Employee Success Center conferred the 2025 Presidential Excellence Awards at a reception held April 17. The awards recognize employees whose exemplary performance impacts the entire university community.

Here are this year’s winners:

George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award
The annual George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award recognizes the contributions of an extraordinary UofL staff member who exemplifies the traits of its namesake, George J. Howe (humility, generosity and excellence in leadership) as well as the Cardinal Principles. This staff member’s career has had an exceptional impact on the university and its vision to be a great place to learn, discover, connect and work.

• Linda Leake, instructional design and technology specialist III in the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning

Trustees Award
The University of Louisville Board of Trustees established the Trustees Award in 1989 to honor faculty who impact the future of our students. The award recognizes faculty who have an extraordinary impact on students.

• Jasmine Farrier, professor of political science and director of the UofL-Frankfort Internship Program

Cardinal Principles Champions
The Cardinal Principles Champions Award is designed to honor our faculty and staff who demonstrate one of the Cardinal Principles at the highest level of impact.

• Community of Care: Lamar Braggs, Office of the Registrar
• Accountability: Sneha Thapa, College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development
• Respect: VaSean Baker, Physical Plant
• Diversity and Inclusion: Melanie Gast, Department of Sociology
• Integrity and Transparency: Dylan Naeger, Office of Undergraduate Admissions
• Noble Purpose: Bobby Cortes, Bachelor of Social Work Program
• Agility: Chris Sogard, Student Success Center
• Leadership: Linda Fuselier, Department of Biology

Distinguished Faculty Awards
Every year, the university honors faculty who bring distinction to the university through their commitment to the areas of service, teaching and outstanding scholarship, research and creative activity.

Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity

• Basic and Applied Sciences: Jiapeng Huang, School of Medicine
• Creative and Performing Arts: Kevin Gawley, College of Arts & Sciences
• Career Achievement: Jon Klein, School of Medicine
• Social Sciences: Brad Shuck, College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development
• Humanities: Clare Sullivan, College of Arts and Sciences

Distinguished Service

• Service to UofL: Olfa Nasraoui, J.B. Speed School of Engineering
• Career of Service: Tom Owen, University Libraries
• Service to the Profession: Susan Peters, College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development
• Service to the Community, the Commonwealth and/or the Region: Lindsay Della, College of Arts & Sciences
• National/International Service: Jackson Williams, School of Medicine

Distinguished Teaching Professor

• Rebecca Gesler, School of Nursing, full-time
• Rachel Pigg, College of Arts and Sciences, full-time
• Jason Saleem, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, full-time
• Staci Saner, School of Medicine, full-time
• Linda Bledsoe, Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, part-time

Outstanding Performance Awards
The Outstanding Performance Awards recognize university staff (both exempt and nonexempt) who inspire others through their outstanding dedication and commitment to UofL.

• Vanessa Blair, Office of the Registrar
• Luke Button, Office of Human Resources
• Asa Douangasa, Physical Plant
• Courtney Gagel, Speed School Administration
• Anthony Hundley, Sociology, Political Science, Geographic and Environmental Sciences, Anthropology
• Jennifer Lee, Special ����ֱ��, Early Childhood and Prevention Science
• Geri Morgan, Dean of Students Office
• Jessie Voigt, Disability Resource Center
• Dakota Walker, Center for Military Connected Students
• Hao Zhang, School of Medicine Faculty Affairs and Advancement

Outstanding Supervisor Award
Great supervisors create a culture of engagement that includes supporting the development of team members and sending a strong, consistent message of respect, compassion and trustworthiness.

• Greg Vittitow, Student Success Center

Team Impact Award
Behind every great accomplishment at the University of Louisville is a team of dedicated employees who worked collaboratively to realize their vision. This exceptional team has had a great impact on the university. As the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work.

• UofL Grounds Crew/Physical Plant: Greg Schetler, Superintendent for Grounds; Foremen, Eric Tennill and Wade Fleming; Grounds Mechanic, Jacob Chamberlain; Gardener, Brian Tennill; Groundskeepers, Arthur McKenzie, Cary Ferguson, Glen Hayes, Joseph Kaegin, Michael (Cory) Paul, Patrick Jones, Quintin Kruse, Ruben Clinkenbeard, Shane Blocker, Brian Nevitt, Chrisopher Karrer, Joshua Lewis, Lou Conley, Nick Boysel, Paul Ashmore, Ted Brodzik; Grounds Laborer, Michael Gadd

Distinguished Retiree Excellence Award
This award pays tribute to retired UofL faculty and staff from throughout the UofL community who have demonstrated dedication to scholarship or community service that has had an exceptional impact on the university.

• Stanley Levinson, Retiree

Presidential Commission Awards

Commission on the Status of Women (COSW)

• Champion of Advocacy: Mallory Newby, Employee Success Center
• Champion of Communications: Michelle Rodems, Graduate School
• Climate & Equity Champion: Fannie M. Cox, University Libraries
• Commissioner of the Year: Amanda James, Alumni Engagement
• Volunteer of the Year: Lisa Gunterman, Office of Institutional Equity
• Catalyst: Sarah Frankel, General Counsel

Commission on Diversity and Racial Equity (CODRE)

• Presidential Exemplary Multicultural Teaching Award: Samiyyah Sledge, Department of Biology
• Presidential Exemplary Multicultural Engagement Staff Award: Leondra Gully, Office of Institutional Equity
• Presidential Exemplary Multicultural Engagement Staff Award: Mani Vangalur, J.B. Speed School of Engineering
• Commissioner of the Year Award: Dwayne Compton, School of Medicine Office of the Dean

“At UofL, what we celebrate reflects what we value as an institution – research, scholarship and creative activity. This event is so important because it shines a spotlight on YOU — the backbone of UofL’s knowledge enterprise,” said Jon Klein, UofL’s executive vice president for research and innovation.

Eight signature awards were presented for outstanding achievement.

• Researcher of the Year – Ayman El Baz, professor of bioengineering, J.B. Speed School of Engineering. A global leader in AI and bio-imaging, El Baz’s AI-powered autism diagnostic was licensed to Brain Diagnostic and widely covered by media. With 50 patents, $29 million in grants and 23,000 citations, El-Baz is translating ideas into real-world solutions – contributions that push boundaries and benefit humanity. El-Baz is bridging engineering and health care and enhancing diagnostics through AI.
• Innovator of the Year – Ginevra Courtade, professor, College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development. A leader in special education, Courtade authored five peer-reviewed publications in 2024, including pioneering work on AI to enhance instruction for students with intellectual disabilities and frameworks for accessible STEM education. Her projects address teacher shortages, especially in rural regions, and shape national special education policy.
• Center of the Year – Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences. Led by J. Christopher States, CIEHS is a powerhouse in understanding how environmental factors affect health, from air quality to chemical exposures, with an interdisciplinary approach uniting medicine, engineering and public health. Its mission is to advance scientific discovery, train the next generation of researchers and translate findings into actionable solutions for communities.
  

  

• Early Career Researcher Award – Adam Cocco, assistant professor of sports administration, College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development. In 2024, Cocco published four peer-reviewed articles, including a groundbreaking study on how personal branding and institutional factors shape college athletes’ Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) values on social media. His work tackled retention of first-generation college athletes, offering practical solutions for small institutions and produced resources for athletic programs.
• Creative Works Award – Ché Rhodes, associate professor in fine arts, College of Arts & Sciences. One of America’s top glass artists, Rhodes’ work joined the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s permanent collection in 2022 and was featured in their “This Present Moment” exhibition. His art graced the cover of “Glass: The Urban Glass Art Quarterly.” A UofL faculty member for 20 years, Rhodes previously won Louisville Visual Art’s Educator of the Year award and was an Ascending Star Fellow.
• Research Administrator of the Year – Anne Noe, manager, Research Grants Program, School of Medicine, who is recognized for her impact in overseeing pre-award services for the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Public Health and Information Sciences. Noe also manages the Summer Research Scholars Program, coordinates Research!Louisville, handles budgets and serves as a vital liaison with the Office of Research and Innovation.
• Industry Partnership of the Year – Additive Manufacturing Institute of Science and Technology and ISCO Industries. AMIST, led by Tom Berfield, and ISCO Industries, a Louisville-based titan in the world of piping solutions led by President Mark Kirchdorfer, collaborated on innovative manufacturing projects. This collaboration leverages AMIST’s world-class capabilities to enhance ISCO’s innovations, driving real-world impact.
• New Venture of the Year – Gretel Monreal, Inspired Therapeutics NeoMate System. Monreal and multiple collaborators across several departments are developing the NeoMate Mechanical Circulatory Support System to serve as a bridge for infants with heart failure until they can receive a heart transplant. This miniature, low-cost heart pump will provide up to 30 days of support, improving quality of life for the smallest patients.

Ascending Star Fellows

Nine promising mid-career researchers were recognized for their achievements as the third cohort of Ascending Star Fellows. During this year-long program, they worked with external mentors and were coached through an ambitious project to elevate their scholarship to the next level.��

Amanuel Beyin • Adam Enders • Lesley Harris • Jonathan Kopechek • Matthew Nelson • Stephanie Prost • Farshid Ramezanipour • Hui Zhang • Jianhua Zhao

Patent awardees

In addition, 55 researchers were recognized for the 73 patents awarded to UofL over the last two years:

Alexander V. Ovechkin • Alireza Tofangchi • Andrew P. DeFilippis • Andrew Switala • Ayman S. El-Baz • Balamurugan Appakalai • Charles S. Hubscher • Chi Li • Cindy Harnett • Claudia A. Angeli • Dan O. Popa • Daniel S. Metzinger • David Caborn • Dennis M. Evans • Donald Miller • Douglas J. Jackson • Esma S. Yolcu • George Pantalos • Gerald B. Hammond • Gretel Monreal • Guruprasad A. Giridharan • Huang-Ge Zhang • Jagannadh Satyavolu • Janina Ratajczak • Jason Chesney • John Naber • John O. Trent • John W. Eaton • Joseph A. Burlison • Joshua Spurgeon • Kavitha Yaddanapudi • Kenneth S. Thomson • Kevin Tran • Levi Beverly • Magdalena Kucia • Mahendra K. Sunkara • Mariusz Z. Ratajczak • Mark S. Slaughter • Martin G. O’Toole • Michael H. Nantz • Neal Bhutiani • Nichola C. Garbett • Nobuyuki Matoba • Noppadon Sathitsuksanoh • Paula J. Bates • Richard J. Lamont • Sarah A. Andres • Steven C. Koenig • Sucheta Telang • Thad Druffel • Thomas A. Berfield • Thomas J. Roussel • Yury Gerasimenko • Zhihui Sun • Zhong Yang

The UofL assists researchers by connecting them with funding, ensuring safety and compliance, managing awards and engaging industry. Over the past year, UofL researchers submitted 1,060 proposals, secured more than $188 million in new funding and produced impactful publications, performances and exhibits.

See photos from the awards ceremony .

• Top Management Support: Established Mission/Vision Statement along with a defined plan for ongoing development and purpose for support.
• Programs: Wellness opportunities available to employees at the worksite or through outside organizations.
• Policies: Formal or informal written statements that are designed to protect or promote employee health.
• Benefits: Part of an overall compensation package including health insurance coverage and other services or discounts regarding health.

The Worksite Wellness Council of Louisville is a local council whose mission is to promote wellness by facilitating a culture of health through the development of sustainable worksite wellness programs, promotion of healthy lifestyles and providing support access to essential resources. Each year, the council hosts a Worksite Wellness Conference to award employers who prioritize wellness and promote a healthy work environment for its employees.

“As part of the university’s comprehensive benefits package, Get Healthy Now’s mission is to cultivate a culture of wellness through generous program offerings and wellness education,” said Tamara Iacono, wellness coordinator for UofL’s Get Healthy Now program. “The WWCL award reinforces Get Healthy Now’s mission and confirms the university’s commitment to employee well-being.”

Learn more about the and go to the to learn about the University of Louisville’s wellness programs and resources.

In recognition of his innovations to improve the safety of horse racing, the  has named Dickinson the 33^rd recipient of the John W. Galbreath Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship in the Equine Industry.

“The safety of the horse has always been a long-term goal of mine ever since I was a child when on small ponies I had to keep up with my mother who was on a Grade A International Showjumper. We used to jump post and rail fences, some with ditches and drops, and stone walls. Since then, I’ve always felt very grateful and indebted to all the horses I rode,” Dickinson said.��“I am honored and flattered to receive the Galbreath Award.”

A native of Yorkshire, England, Dickinson was a champion steeplechase jockey and trainer prior to becoming a successful Thoroughbred trainer in the United Kingdom. Since coming to the U.S. in 1987, he has won more than 80 stakes races in the U.S. and Canada. In 2000, he led all New York-based trainers with a win percentage of 35% from starters. One of his greatest achievements in training was conditioning 1996 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Da Hoss to a repeat win in that race’s 1998 renewal at Churchill Downs after a two-year layoff.

Dickinson is a member of the Steeplechasing Hall of Fame and has four listings in the Guinness Book of World Records, including the record for the most racing wins in one day – 12.

In 1996, Dickinson began building his own Thoroughbred training facility, , in Maryland, employing the most innovative technology in equine care and horse husbandry. Unsatisfied with available track footings, he began developing , now recognized as a safe, consistent all-weather synthetic surface for racing and training Thoroughbred horses.

“The focus on safety for its equine and human athletes is paramount in horse racing today,” said Michele Fischer, president of horse racing and gaming consulting firm Darting Star LLC in his nomination. “Michael has demonstrated a willingness to take personal and career risks in the development of a new racing surface. In the beginning, he was met with great reluctance by an industry resistant to change. He has continued to refine the science and today the Tapeta surface has been installed at racetracks and training centers across the world.”

Tapeta 10, the latest version of Tapeta Footings, has substantially reduced equine fatalities and outperformed conventional dirt and turf surfaces. Tapeta surface has been installed at Turfway Park in Kentucky and at Gulfstream Park in Florida, Golden Gate Fields in California and Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania as well as facilities in Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

“We are excited to present the 2022 Galbreath Award to Michael Dickinson for his contribution to the sport of racing through the creation of Tapeta and synthetic track surfaces,” said K. Amy Lawyer, assistant professor and chair of UofL’s Department of Equine Administration. “The nature of the Galbreath Award is to recognize innovation and business efforts that move the equine industry forward. Mr. Dickinson’s business achievements added a new element to a sport that had been largely unchanged for centuries.”

Recipients of the Galbreath Award are selected by a committee of faculty in the in the UofL College of Business.

The award is named for the late John W. Galbreath, a self-made man who distinguished himself in both business and as a horseman. The 32^nd Galbreath Award recipient was Tom Aronson, an original business architect of two of the most successful companies the history of horse racing, the Television Games Network (TVG) and Exacta Systems, both of which became billion-dollar wagering companies. A list of all Galbreath Award laureates and nomination information is available at the website.

For information on the award presentation dinner to honor Dickinson to be held March 30, contact Kimberly Spear at kimberly.spear@louisville.edu or 502-852-7727. A video of the presentation of the Galbreath Award will be available on the  after the event.

The University of Louisville is now accepting nominations for its 2023 Alumni Awards, the highest honor bestowed by Louisville Alumni. For more than 30 years, the Alumni Awards have honored and celebrated the historic achievements of UofL graduates.

The UofL community and public are encouraged to nominate Louisville graduates who deserve to be recognized for their career accomplishments, philanthropic endeavors and contributions to the community. Honorees will be recognized during the 2023 Alumni Awards ceremony this fall during Homecoming week on UofL’s Belknap Campus.

“Louisville Alumni is grateful for the strong culture of alumni innovators, educators and collaborators who share the common bond of being UofL graduates,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. “These awards recognize distinguished graduates who are exemplary ambassadors for the university and reflect the high standing and character of their alma mater.”

In addition to Alumni Fellow awards designated for each school and college, Louisville Alumni also will present awards for Emerging Leader, Diversity Leadership, Alumni Ambassador and the Wilson Wyatt Alumnus(a) of the Year.��

New to the program this year is the first-ever Military Alumni Award, an honor that allows UofL to celebrate its commitment, support and appreciation of UofL’s many military-connected alumni.

The Wilson Wyatt Alumnus(a) of the Year award personifies the qualities, mission and values of the university. The 2022 Alumna of the Year was awarded to Lucy Lee Helm ’79, ’82 who, as chief partner officer, guided Starbucks through multiple human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Students, graduates and friends of the university can submit online nominations to the Office of Alumni Relations until Friday, Feb. 17^.

Criteria for each award, as well as nomination forms, are available online at . Listings of previous Alumni Awards honorees also can be found on the website. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 502-852-6186 or visit .

Jim Begany, vice provost for enrollment management and student success, presented updated enrollment figures. As of June 1, overall enrollment was down by 636 students. Begany reported a 710 decrease in undergraduate enrollment, a decrease of 17 in professional enrollment, as well as an increase of 91 for graduate enrollment. No change was reported for the total of incoming freshmen students.

In order to address these declines, the Enrollment Lightning Response Team was formed to assist with student registration. The ELRT is currently reaching out to non-registered students through multiple channels, including email and one-on-one meetings. In addition to the efforts made by members of the ELRT, faculty were encouraged to reach out to non-returning students.

“We have lists of these (non-registered) students that we can break down by major. A student’s connection with faculty is extremely important, and we encourage faculty to reach out to these students,” Begany said.��

Executive Vice President and University Provost Lori Gonzalez reported that email notices were sent to faculty members concerning tenure and promotions. Gonzalez informed senators of plans to compile past tenure and promotion decisions in order to provide interested faculty members with transparent and useful data. Past decisions will be organized by college and the names of the faculty members will be omitted.

“My approach to tenure and promotion is that there should be no secrets for anyone. You should know at every step what is happening,” Gonzalez stated.  

Gonzalez also announced two recent staff appointments in the Office of the Executive Vice President and University Provost. Douglas Craddock Jr. from the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development will serve as chief of staff, and Sarah Lopez from the Office of Communication and Marketing will serve as deputy chief of staff. Gonzalez stated that the appointment of Craddock and Lopez will increase the responsiveness of the Office of the Provost.

Executive Vice President of Research & Innovation Kevin Gardner informed senators that new awards for fiscal year 2021 are at an all-time high. Gardner reported 60 research disclosures to date and an all-time high in sponsored research agreements.

“Through March, our awards are higher than they were all of last year. Between the record levels of awards and an anticipated increase in endowment spending, that should see us in good stead for our research expenditures, which is how we get measured as a research university,” Gardner said.

Senators were presented with three proposed program closures by the Academic Programs Committee. The programs included a bachelor of science in atmospheric sciences through the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as a master of education in instructional technology and a master of education in literacy education both through the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development. All three proposed program closures received unanimous approval by the Faculty Senate.  

Committee reports and a of the virtual meeting can be accessed on the . The next Faculty Senate meeting is scheduled for July 7 via Microsoft Teams.

The Diversity Leadership Alumni Award will honor a graduate who has demonstrated leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion through their professional and volunteer endeavors. The award winner will be recognized for raising awareness for underrepresented populations and a deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The new award supports the university’s goal of being the premier anti-racist metropolitan research university by seeking to formally recognize graduates who are working for social change.

The Emerging Leader Alumni Award will honor a graduate who is 40 years of age or younger for their outstanding professional accomplishments, who demonstrates and upholds the university’s and who is an outstanding ambassador for the university.

“Our graduates are making an impact in Louisville, the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Josh Hawkins, assistant vice president for alumni relations. “I am excited to announce these two new awards that will recognize some of the many graduates who serve as catalysts for change in their communities.”

In addition to these two new awards, the university will continue to give awards for outstanding graduates from each school and college, as well as the prestigious Alumna/Alumnus of the Year award.

The university invites public nominations through May 7 for all awards. Nominations can be made online at .

The UofL Outstanding Community Engagement awards recognize extraordinary community involvement by faculty, staff, students and community partners.��Each winner received a monetary award of $2,500 and their names were added to a plaque that hangs outside Chao Auditorium.

This year’s winners were:

Student Engagement: Joshua Wilcox

Joshua, a junior civil engineering major, is using his engineering skills to make a difference in Third World countries. After years of being involved in Louisville’s LV1 hacker space, he is borrowing the hacker space concept of providing access to tools and training as a way to tackle issues in low-income communities around the world.

Faculty Engagement: Jeff C. Falcone, PhD

Jeff is an associate professor of physiology in the School of Medicine. His volunteer work with students of all ages is as varied as the students whose futures he is helping to mold.

For the past decade, Jeff has helped launch more than 800 students into various health-related fields. As program director of the Summer Medical and Dental ����ֱ�� Program, he works to make sure each student is prepared to meet the rigorous requirements of a professional career in a science field.

He also is active every fall during Physiology Understanding Week teaching eighth graders about cardiovascular physiology and health. He trains the eighth graders in methods to teach first graders about cardiovascular health, and his model is used throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Jeff also volunteers his time-building sets for local high school theater departments. He explains the science and physics behind the construction and also teaches the students about the technical aspects of theater, the proper and safe use of power tools and the power of creative and collaborative problem solving.

Staff Engagement: Kristofer Rau, PhD

Kristofer is a senior research associate in the anesthesiology department. In spearheading outreach efforts for the Louisville Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience, he has helped increase science education and literacy, particularly regarding nervous system function and disease, and also about careers in neuroscience research. In 2015, he partnered with the Kentucky Science Center to set up hands-on workshops to educate the public about the nervous system.

Kristofer has also conducted presentations about his career path, relentlessly recruiting faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff to become active participants in the community.

Community Partner: West End School

West End School, a free, private college preparatory elementary and middle school for boys, strives to create a culture of high expectations and achievement. It opened in 2005 to answer the growing need for alternative forms of education for young men who come from challenging backgrounds.

Its many partnerships with UofL include a percussion program with the School of Music and an art therapy program with the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development; social work practice opportunities for students in the Kent School of Social Work; counseling for students with behavioral problems through the School of Medicine’s psychiatry department; and a maker space for students created by the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. The Speed School also provides weekly tutoring sessions and will offer up to five full-tuition scholarships to West End School graduates who earn their high school diplomas in spring 2018 and beyond.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Alice K. Houston, president and CEO, Houston-Johnson Inc.

Alice K. Houston, president and CEO of trucking and logistics company Houston-Johnson Inc., began her long association with the University of Louisville after she returned to the United States from France with her husband, former basketball player and coach Wade Houston. She earned her MEd in College Student Personnel Services at UofL and worked in the financial aid office. She left UofL in 1988 to join a series of family businesses that collectively became the second largest minority-owned company in the United States and the largest minority owned transportation company in North America during the 1990s. She became president and CEO of Houston-Johnson in 2005.

She served as co-chair of the University Community Partnership Advisory Board, the panel that recommended the creation of UofL’s Signature Partnership Initiative with West Louisville. She recently was appointed to the board of directors of the UofL Foundation.

She also serves on the boards of 55,000 Degrees and 15K Degree Initiative, Simmons College of Kentucky and Greater Louisville Inc. She has been an active fundraiser for, among others, Big Brothers/Big sisters of Kentuckiana, Boys and Girls Club of America, United Negro College Fund and the Louisville Urban League.

More on the . Photos from the event are also .��

The UofL Student Awards are in their 16th year. Using criteria of leadership, service and involvement, a committee selects recipients from student, faculty and staff nominations.

Michael Mardis, Dean of Students and Vice Provost for Student Affairs, said it’s important for the university as a whole to take a moment to recognize the hard work of students for their excellence both inside the classroom and outside.

“The University of Louisville is fortunate to have so many outstanding students deserving of recognition. It is pleasing to honor such a diverse group of students who have made meaningful contributions to the university, our community and the world,” Mardis said. “The kindness they demonstrate in serving others is inspirational, and their commitment and hard work has left a lasting impact.”

Mardis and Interim Provost Neville Pinto helped present the awards to students.��Emcees were 2016 Mr. and Ms. Cardinal Kevin Grout and Amanda Allen and 2015 Homecoming Queen Lauren Lewis.

The awards were sponsored by Commonwealth Credit Union and Kentucky National Guard.

Winners are listed below. Photos from the awards ceremony available online: https://www.flickr.com/photos/uofl/.

DRC Student of the Year Award – Keith Auspland

Intramural and Recreational Sports Solid Performance Award – Ruby Aebersold, Shelby Fisk, Emily Hansen, Steven Russ and Samantha Taylor

REACH Tutor Award of Excellence – Kristian Conway

REACH Ambassador Award of Excellence – Zofia Hetman

REACH Ambassador Spirit Award – Samuel Stevens

ACC Top Six for Service Awards – Olivia Boesing, Taylor Bradley, Caitlin Gilmore, Isabela Habuda, Tim Kubel and Jerry Ramirez

Outstanding Metropolitan College Student Award – Crystal Krages

Profiles in Leadership – Robyn Blackman, Abigail Corder, Gabe Draper, Madison Duff, Emerald Dunn, Charron Elliot, Austin Ferrell, Kevin Grout, Bridgette Hildreth, Alicia Humphrey, Kevin Jacob, Jason Jewell, Kevin Lackey, X’Zashea Lawson-Mayes, Crystal Newman, Katie Olsen, Darren Porter, Mercedes Samuels, Kyle Schroader, Alexander Stewart, Savanah Treece, Karen Udoh, Dakota Waldecker, Madeline Weiner, Maya White and Chloe Zoeller

A&S Peer Advisor of the Year – Corey Feger

A&S Peer Advisor Rookie of the Year – Lauren Lewis

Most Outstanding Gen 101 Teaching Assistants -Kirtley Hall and Natalie Shields

Most Outstanding Orientation Peer Advisor – Aaron Vance

Cultural Center Advocacy Award – Caitlin Durgin, Demarcus George, Craig Nichols, Leonardo Salinas and Talesha Wilson

Cultural Center Celebration Award – Leticia Miguel Antonio, Tram Nguyen and Maya White

Cultural Center Engagement Award – James Alcantara and Aaisha Hamid

Cultural Center Scholarship Award – Rashon Sadler and Jalyn Shontee

Woodford R. Porter Scholar Service Award – Akram Abdulle, Kassidy Barnett, Christia Brown, Alexsis Carter, Thomas Gordon, Nia Johnson, Corey McKee, John Rhodes and Anoa Zakee

PEACC Keeper Award – Hannah Nausbaum

AVIATOR of the Year – Kianna Johnson

Spirit of AVIATOR Award – Destinee Germany

AVIATOR Tour Guide of the Year – Logan Sanderson

AVIATOR Recognition for Outstanding Service – Brittney Brown

Outstanding AVIATOR Intern of the year – Jamitra Fulleord

AVIATOR Legacy Award – J. Taylor Smith and Jasmine Wilkins

Interfraternity Council Chapter President of the Year – Dakota Waldecker, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity

National Panhellenic Council Chapter President of the Year – Sydni Gordon, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Panhellenic Council Chapter President of the Year – Mary Elizabeth Young, Chi Omega Sorority

Katy Garrison LGBT Student Leadership Award – Ben Vivona and Talesha Wilson

Amber Carrier Student Ally Award for LGBT Service – Jenna Lyons

Outstanding Freshmen Student Award – Kyle D. Bilyeu and Nicholas Yates

Outstanding Sophomore Student Award – Kevin Jacob and Karen Udoh

Outstanding Junior Student Award – Hares Patel

Outstanding Senior Student Award – Jacquelyn Ha, Allen L.H. Rakotoniaina and Megan Seldon

Outstanding Student Awards for Graduate and Professional Students – Hossein Mirinejad, Femmy Rose, Douglas Saforo and Natalie Spiller

Spirit of Community (Individual) – Nicole Robertson

Spirit of Community (Student Group or Organization) – Delta Zeta Sorority

Spirit of Service (Individual) – Grace Flaherty

Spirit of Service (Student Group or Organization) – Cards Beyond Borders

Social Justice and Inclusion Award (Individual) – Brandi Jones

Social Justice and Inclusion Award (Student Group or Organization) – Best Buddies at UofL and Minority Association of Graduate Students (M.A.G.S)

Outstanding New Program – Cards Against Hunger by the Student Activities Board: Outreach Committee

Outstanding Program of the Year – Omit the Silence: Stand Up for Equality by the Student Activities Board: Diversity Committee

Collaboration Award – Graduate Student Council, Minority Association of Graduate Students and UofL Counseling Center

Outstanding Student Employee Award – Katie Connor, Ekstrom Library; Allison Cook, Athletics; Jacqueline Wandling, Office of Communications and Marketing

Advisor of the Year – Stephanie Passow, National Residence Hall Honorary

Harold Adams Award – Cathy Patus

Outstanding New Organization of the Year – College Mentor for Kids

Student Organization of the Year – Best Buddies at UofL

The Cardinal Award of Excellence – Scholar/Leader – Allen L.H. Rakotoniaina

The Cardinal Award of Excellence – Scholar/Volunteer – Jerome Soldo