2024 President’s Staff Award Reception

The President’s Staff Awards—the Meliora Award, Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award, and the Witmer Award for Distinguished Service—recognize employees whose innovative leadership, dedication, and sustained contributions have had a positive impact on the University and its community. The 2024 winners were honored by University President Sarah Mangelsdorf during an in-person reception on June 27. Commemorative plaques on the River Campus and at the Medical Center will also recognize the winners.

University Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen Gallucci welcomed guests and recipients of the Meliora Award, Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award, Witmer Award for Distinguished Service, and the President’s Spotlight Award to the reception.

President Sarah Mangelsdorf celebrated the accomplishments of the group and honored them for their service to the University and the Rochester community.

Trustee Larry Kessler spoke on behalf of the Board of Trustees and thanked the recipients for their commitment to excellence.

Meliora Award winner Eiten Freedenberg, associate director, Rochester Education Justice Initiative, (center) stands with Teri D’Agostino (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Meliora Award winner Harvey Gamble, director, environmental services, Strong Memorial Hospital, (center) stands with Teri D’Agostino (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Meliora Award winner Rosemarie Kolker, associate quality officer, quality improvement, Strong Memorial Hospital, (center) stands with Teri D’Agostino (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Witmer Awards for Distinguished Service winner James Alkins, senior laboratory engineer and Fabrication Shop manager, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, (center) stands with Larry Kessler, trustee (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Witmer Awards for Distinguished Service winner Berthenia Coltrane, help desk manager, University IT, (center) stands with Larry Kessler, trustee (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Witmer Awards for Distinguished Service winner David VanWey, HR/Benefits representative and lead analyst/programmer, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, (center) stands with Larry Kessler, trustee (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award winner Christine Brower, IT associate director, Research Product Management
Enterprise Data and Analytics, Information Systems Division, (center) stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf (left) and Kathleen Gallucci (right).

Staff Community Service Award winner Clara Washington, administrative assistant, UR Medicine Quality Institute, (center) stands with Kathleen Gallucci (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

President’s Spotlight Award winner Michael Chudyk, groundskeeper, support operations, Facilities and Services, (center) stands with Kathleen Gallucci (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

President Sarah Mangelsdorf celebrated the accomplishments of the group and honored them for their service to the University and the Rochester community.

Trustee Tom Richards spoke on behalf of the Board of Trustees and thanked the recipients for their commitment to excellence.

Meliora Award winner Jaqueline Beckerman (center) stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf (left) and Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci (right).

Meliora Award winner Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network Team stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci, and Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards.

Meliora Award winner YoUR Support Team stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci, and Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards.

Witmer Award winner Brenda Kavanaugh (center) stands with Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Witmer Award winner Jill Morris (center) stands with Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Witmer Award winner John Podvin (center) stands with Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Staff Community Service Award winner Veena Ganeshan (center) stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf (left) and Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci (right).

Lamar Riley Murphy Award winner Felicia Reed-Watt (center) stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf (left) and Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci (right).