Awards

The Recognition Committee recognizes achievements and contributions of staff, selects Employee of the Quarter, coordinates Staff Recognition Day and related awards, leads efforts to fund the Staff Recognition Endowment, and organizes award nominations and select winners. Below are the Staff Recognition Day Awards, Years of Service, and Tip of the Hat.


 

 

Staff Recognition Day Awards

 

Celebrating Excellence: Staff Recognition Day Award Winners

GUIDELINES FOR AWARD NOMINATIONS

  1. Senators who serve on the Recognition Committee may not nominate employees for awards, with the exception of the Pete Simpson Golden Gloves Award.
  2. Senators who serve on the Executive Committee may nominate a Senator for the Pete Simpson Golden Gloves Award only.
  3. Any other faculty, staff, or administrator may nominate staff members for these awards.
  4. Nominations do not roll over to the next cycle; a new submission must be completed.
  5. Only the respective online form will be accepted as a nomination for each award.
  6. All nominees must be currently employed and in good standing.

TIPS FOR COMPLETING AWARD NOMINATIONS 

  1. Try to include examples to illustrate the nominee's abilities to fulfill the requirements of the award.
  2. Do not use the nominee's name or department name in the nomination form.
  3. Two weeks prior to the closing of an award, verify that the nomination packet is complete (this is very important if more than one nomination is required).
  4. Three to five sentences are more than enough to illustrate the nominee's abilities when answering questions.

 

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    Employee of the Quarter Award


    Opens: November 1, 2024

    Closes: December 6, 2024 at 5pm

    $500 cash, tickets to cultural events and other rewards - see Employee of the Quarter
    This award recognizes a benefited UW Staff for his or her efforts toward excellence in the workplace.

    The nomination form below is for Employee of the fourth Quarter (October - December).

    Nomination Form

    2024 Employee of the 1st Quarter Announcement

    2024 Employee of the 2nd Quarter Announcement

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    2024 All Star Team - Jessica Steward, Valorie Garrett, Carissa Bjorklund


    Opens: January 17, 2024

    Closes: March 8, 2024 at 5pm

    $2000 per team and a plaque for each team member 
    This award honors a team of two to five UW Staff members who have worked together as a team to complete a project; create a new program or process; or facilitate a significant transition to a current project, program, or process as the University.  Recipients of this award will be staff members who are notable for their collaborative skills and perseverance to complete a sizable task or accomplish a long-term goal.

    Nomination Form

     

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    2024 Off-Campus - Kimberly Howell


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes March 8, 2024 at 5pm 

    $1000 and a plaque 

    This award honors two staff members who work off the main UW campus and display an outstanding attitude toward furthering the mission and goals of UW off-campus.

    Nomination Form

     

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    2024 Custodian of the Year - Ashley Shoefelt


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes: March 8, 2024 at 5pm 

    $1000 and a plaque 

    This award honors one current UW staff member who exemplifies outstanding work ethic and professional competence in custodial services from Athletics, Operations, Wyoming Union, or Residence Live and Dining Services. 

    Nomination Form

    Custodian of the Year Shoefelt and President Seidel

     

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    2024 E.G. Meyer Family Award Libby Thorson


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes March 8, 2024 at 5pm

    $1000 and a plaque 

    This long standing staff award on campus honors two current UW Staff Members (one non-exempt and one exempt) who show initiative, helpfulness, dependability and a positive and cheerful demeanor.

    Nomination Form

    EG Meyer and Awardee Thorson

     

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    2024 True Grit - Nicholas Jesse


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes: March 8, 2024 at 5pm

    $1000 and a plaque 

    This award honors two current, full-time benefited UW staff members who are noted for their flexibility, consistency, vision, grit and/or problem-solving skills.

    Nomination Form

    True Grit Awardee Jesse and President Seidel

     

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    2024 Employee of the Year - Aaron Wolfinbarger


    $2000 from UniWyo Credit Union, $2500 travel voucher from Pepsi 
    This award recognizes a UW Staff member for his or her efforts towards excellence in the workplace.

    Nominees are current calendar year employee of the quarter and will be voted on by the Recognition Committee.    

    Employee of the year Wolfinbarger receiving 2 large checks

    Employee of the Year Wolfinbarger and President Seidel

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    2024 Jodi K Humphrey Inspirational Staff - Kaylin Brooks and Laura Cole


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes March 8, 2024 at 5pm 

    $1000 from Rocky Mountain Power and a plaque 

    This award was established in 1995 in memory of long-time Department of Residence Life and Dining Services employee Joleen "Jodi" K. Humphrey, and honors a current UW Staff member who inspires people to do their best, remains positive under stressful conditions, serves as a positive role model to others, shows eagerness toward the job, displays a cheerful attitude toward customers, and motivates self and others.

    Nomination Form

    Jodi Humphrey Awardee Brooks and President Seidel

    Jodi Humphrey Awardee Cole and President Seidel

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    2024 Pete Simpson Golden Gloves - Jeannie Czech and Mollie Hand


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes: March 8, 2024 at 5pm 

    Dated plaque 

    This award was founded in honor of outstanding staff/faculty member Pete Simpson and recognizes one current Staff Senate member who shows outstanding participation on their Staff Senate committee, participation at full Staff Senate meetings and strong representation to constituents.

    Nomination Form


    Pete Simpson Awardee Czech and President Seidel

    Pete Simpson Awardee Hand and President Seidel

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    2024 Presidential Excellence - Christie Wildcat


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes: March 8, 2024 at 5pm 

    $1000 and a plaque 

    Given by the UW President, this award recognizes a UW Staff Member who exemplifies excellence and demonstrates commitment to achieving the university's strategic plan.

    Nomination Form

    Presidental Excellence Awardee Wildcat and President Seidel

    Presidential Excellence Awardee Wildcat and Friends

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    2024 Skilled Trades - Paul Bernaski


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes: March 8, 2024 at 5pm 

    $1000 and a plaque 

    This award honors one current UW staff member who exemplifies outstanding work ethic and professional competence in the skilled trades or in equipment, maintenance, or grounds positions.

    Nomination Form

    Skilled Trades Awardee Bernaski and President Seidel

    Skilled Trades Awardee Bernaski and Friends

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    2024 Supervisor of the Year Kira Poulson


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes: March 8, 2024 at 5pm 

    Season tickets to various campus events and a plaque 

    This award honors one UW employee who is an outstanding supervisor to one or more classified staff members.

    Nomination Form

    Supervisor of the Year Awardee Poulson and President Seidel

    Supervisor of the Year Awardee Poulson and Friends

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    2024 Unsung Hero Alex Rickert, Gwen Cotterman, Dora Montez, Mollie Hand


    Opens: January 17, 2024 

    Closes: March 8, 2024 at 5pm

    $1000 and a plaque 

    This award honors four UW staff members for their contributions above and beyond their position without fanfare or a desire for praise. 

    Nomination Form

    Unsung Hero Awardee Montez and President Seidel

    Unsung Hero Awardee Rickert with President Seidel

    Unsung Hero Awardee Hand and friends

 

Years of Service

Staff Senate has recently compiled the Years of Service List for Staff Recognition Day 2024. The following UW employees were honored for their years of service to the University at Staff Recognition Day: 2024 Years of Service

The Years of Service Awards recognizes those who have dedicated 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years. Please see the YOS Instructions on how to access and check your own years of service.  If your milestone year of service falls after April 16, 2024, you will be honored during the next year's staff Recognition Day in 2025.

Tip of the Hat

Have you received exceptional service or experienced a friendly interaction with a UW staff member or student worker that brightened your day? Give them a Tip of the Hat! Fill out the Tip of the Hat form to tell us about your experience. Your comments will be posted here, and the staff member will be entered into a bi-weekly drawing for fun prizes.

 

Thanks to our Tip of the Hat sponsors!

  • Base Camp
  • Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
  • Coal Creek Coffee
  • Nu2u
  • Sweets
  • Rendezvous Cafe/Rolling Mill
  • Java Java
  • Atmosphere Mt Works
  • Mr. Jim's Pizza
  • Poppy's Flowers
  • Big Dipper Ice Cream
  • Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse
  • Prarie Monarch Bison Ranch
  • Turtle Rock Coffee & Cafe
  • UW Store
  • Blossom Yoga
  • Sweet Melissa's
  • Murdoch's
  • Big Hollow Food Co-op
  • QDOBA Mexican Eats
  • Studio City Movie Theaters
  • The Chocolate Cellar
  • The Grounds Internet & Coffee Lounge
  • Taco Bell
  • Pedal House
  • Taco John's

Contact Us

UW Staff Senate
Merica Hall, Room 320
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3413
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-5300
Email: staffsen@uwyo.edu
Office Associate Senior, Christina McDonald: cmcdon19@uwyo.edu
Staff Senate President, Adam Comeau: sspresident@uwyo.edu