In a sign that times are looking up, the University held its annual “Honor the Best” ceremony on Tuesday in a hybrid ceremony that was streamed live with honorees receiving their awards in person in the Glick Ballrooms.

President Brian Sandoval praised the entire University for its response in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic that has challenged everyone.

“We have been given one of the most consequential challenges this institution has ever faced. And all of you have responded in the most inspiring and memorable fashion possible,” he said. “We have always prided ourselves on being agents of change, of making the important discoveries and sharing the game-changing knowledge that shapes and influences the lives of all Nevadans.

“For the past year-plus, the resilience you’ve demonstrated in the face of this public crisis has been remarkable.”

Honor the Best honorees included:

2021 Foundation Professors: Elizabeth Leger, Markus Kemmelmeier, Krishna Pagilla

Distinguished Outreach Faculty: Amy Altick

Graduate Academic Advisor Award: Ania Panorska

Undergraduate Academic Advisor Award: Janita Ethridge

ASUN Service Learning Faculty Award: Christopher Von Nagy

Thornton Peace Prize: Nicole Jacobs

Cavanaugh Community Volunteer Award: Blaize Abuntori

Distinguished Classified Employee Award: Melissa Westphal

Distinguished Service: Trudy Larson

Distinguished Service: Raymond Needham

Distinguished Faculty: Scott Mensing

Distinguished Faculty: Elizabeth Raymon

Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher Award: Bob Ives

Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher Award: Matthew Leone

Paul and Judy Bible University Teaching Excellence Award: Jennifer Hollander

Faculty Senate Award for Outstanding Committee Service: Albert Lee

Foundation Outstanding Supervisor Award: Jim Fitzsimmons

Foundation Administrative Faculty of the Year Award: Ed Huffman

Foundation Innovative Impact Award: John Atkinson

Foundation Innovative Impact Award: KaPreace Young

Ozmen Global Engagement Award: Christopher Morgan

Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award: Paulina Pride

Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award: Dominique Hall

Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award: Funmi Sheddy

Henry Albert Senior Public Service Award: Patricia Marie De La Hoya-Velez

Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Leadership Award: Lorraine Benuto

Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher: Kodi Summers

Outstanding Graduate Student: Michael Rudokas

Foundation Early Career Innovator Award: Christopher Barile

Foundation Established Innovator Award: Manoranjan Misra

Outstanding Researcher of the Year: Thomas W. Bell

Excellence in Laboratory Safety Award: John Cushman

Outstanding Senior Award: Menen Ashagrie

Outstanding Senior Award: Benjamin Perdomo

Outstanding Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentor: Edward Schoolman

Phi Kappa Phi Award: Megan Perry

Phi Kappa Phi Award: Ameya Singh

Postdoctoral Award for Exceptional Mentoring: Matthew Holding

Postdoctoral Award for Exceptional Mentoring: Marina Marren

Regents’ Academic Advisor Award – Undergraduate: Janita Ethridge

Regents’ Researcher Award – Distinguished: Ian Buckle

Regents’ Rising Researcher Award: Jennifer Pearson.

Regents’ Rising Researcher Award: Kyra Stull

Regents’ Researcher Award – Mid-Career: Scott Earley

Regents’ Teaching Award: Pamela Sandstrom

Regents’ Teaching Award: Geoffrey Smith

Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship, Graduate: Jena Casas

Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship, Undergraduate: Jayde Powell

ROTC Governor’s Award: Kelsey Lebeoeuf

ROTC Governor’s Award: Mikael Proper

Student Employee of the Year: Chad Ewing

Emeriti:

Eric Albers

John Gregg Anderson

Diane Apalategui

Stephanie Asteriadis Pyle

Holly Aycock

Bruce Blackadar

Robert Boyd

Donnelyn Curtis

Theresa Danna

Donald Del Porto

Jean Dixon

Amy Engelbert

Larry Engstrom

Mark Gandalfo

Ruth Gault

Rory Hickock

Jack Kuestermeyer

Trudy Larson

Jerome Maese

Louis Marvick

Sean McGoldrick

Martin Morales

John Morrow

Ranna Nash

Raymond Needham

Gailmarie Pahmeier

Elizabeth Raymond

Lisa Riley

Gwen Shonkwiler

Yvonne Stedham

Regina Tempel

Loretta Tiede

Janet Usinger

Tamara Valentine

Sina Ward

Emelita Weldon

Lyle Woodward