Honoring the ‘Best’: ‘(Your) work has made our University proud’

Individuals honored in annual ceremony May 13

Impact & Student Success | May 30, 2025
John Trent
Professor Verma holding his certificate, smiling in front of an Honor the Best step and repeat backdrop while someone takes a cell phone photo.

Subhash Verma, professor of Microbiology and Immunology, along with his research team, was the recipient of the University’s Excellence in Lab Safety Award. Photo by Brin Reynolds.

Honoring the ‘Best’: ‘(Your) work has made our University proud’

Individuals honored in annual ceremony May 13

Impact & Student Success | May 30, 2025
John Trent

Subhash Verma, professor of Microbiology and Immunology, along with his research team, was the recipient of the University’s Excellence in Lab Safety Award. Photo by Brin Reynolds.

Professor Verma holding his certificate, smiling in front of an Honor the Best step and repeat backdrop while someone takes a cell phone photo.

Subhash Verma, professor of Microbiology and Immunology, along with his research team, was the recipient of the University’s Excellence in Lab Safety Award. Photo by Brin Reynolds.

The University’s annual celebration of student, faculty and staff achievement, “Honor the Best,” was held on May 13 in the Glick Ballrooms of the Joe Crowley Student Union.

As has been the case since the first “Honor the Best” ceremony was held in 1970, celebrating careers among the University’s people that were coming to a close as well as careers that are still in full flight, were the points of emphasis.

“What makes our ‘Honor the Best’ ceremony so special is what it represents,” University President Brian Sandoval said. “Other than Commencement, which also has an element of looking ahead while also looking back at what has happened, ‘Honor the Best’ is a unique moment for the campus to celebrate the accomplishments of so many outstanding individuals whose work has made our University proud.”

Among those honored were 39 emeriti. Two faculty members, Todd Felts and Myrton Running Wolf of the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism, were both posthumously awarded the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Leadership Award. Felts, an RSJ faculty member for 17 years, passed away in late November 2024. Running Wolf, an RSJ faculty member since 2017, passed away in January.

Professor Fridland with President Sandoval on stage at Honor the Best.
Valerie Fridland, professor of Linguistics, pictured with University President Brian Sandoval, was this year’s winner of the University’s Outstanding Researcher Award (Social Science, Art, Culture or Society). Photo by Brin Reynolds.

Those honored at “Honor the Best” included:

Regents’ Awards

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Malia Mitooka-Ferranto

Jason Geddes Rising Researcher

Joanna Blaszczak

Jason Geddes Rising Researcher

Pengbo Chu

Jason Geddes Rising Researcher

Li Ke

Sam Lieberman Regent's Award for Student Scholarship

Olufemi Erinoso (Graduate)

Sam Lieberman Regent's Award for Student Scholarship

Riley Gillis (Undergraduate)

Regents Distinguished Researcher

Vladimir Pravosudov

Regents Humanities and Social Sciences Researcher

Monica Miller

Foundation Awards

Foundation Professor

Kristen Clements-Nolle

Foundation Professor

Thomas Quint

Foundation Professor

David Leitner

Established Innovator

Christopher Barile

Innovative Impact

Casey Venturini

Outstanding Letter of Appointment Instructional Faculty

Emilio Parga (Fall 2024)

Outstanding Letter of Appointment Instructional Faculty

Amy Absher (Spring 2025)

Foundation Early Career Innovator

Ying Yang

Foundation Classified Employee of the Year

Kelly Larson

Administrative Faculty of the Year

Claudia Esther Cruz

Outstanding Committee Service

Paul Neill

Outstanding Leadership & Supervisor

Nora Luna

University Awards

Professor Leger walks across the stage to shake hands with President Sandoval.
Elizabeth Leger, director of the Museum of Natural History and foundation professor of Biology, was the 2025 recipient of the University’s Outstanding Researcher Award (STEM). Photo by Brin Reynolds.

Excellence in Lab Safety

Subhash Verma

Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher

Megan Biagi

Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher

Jennifer Hollander

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Leadership

Lydia Huerta Moreno

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Leadership

Todd Felts, Posthumously

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Leadership

Myrton Running Wolf, Posthumously

Postdoctoral Award for Exceptional Mentoring

Satish Manandhar

Graduate Academic Advisor

David Feil-Siefer

R.O.T.C. Governor's Award

Terrell Calinog

R.O.T.C. President's Award

William Crosby

Thornton Peace Prize

The Latino Research Center

Outstanding Researcher (STEM)

Elizabeth Leger

Outstanding Researcher (Social Science, Art, Culture or Society)

Valerie Fridland

Paul & Judy Bible University Teaching Excellence

Sergiu Dascalu

Student Awards

Student Employee of the Year

Vincent Andrei Lumbad Esconde

Cavanaugh Community Volunteer Award

Natalie Rubio

Henry Albert Senior Public Service

Caitlin Shamiya

Henry Albert Senior Public Service

Linda Weathers

Outstanding Senior

Om Patel

Outstanding Senior

Hailey Guerrero

ASUN Service-Learning Faculty Award

Jennifer Lanterman

Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher

Zeynab Maghsoudi

Outstanding Graduate Student

Kemi Osho

Distinguished Awards

Distinguished Classified Employee

Molly Mott

Distinguished Faculty

Dennis Dworkin

Distinguished Service

David Shintani

Distinguished Outreach & Engagement

Gerald Ackerman

Emeriti Faculty

  • Kimberly Baxter
  • Jamie Benedict
  • Dan Brush
  • Sharon Brush
  • Keith R. Clark
  • Veronica Dahir
  • Raquel DePuy
  • Craig D. Dodson
  • Mary Phelps Dugan
  • James "J" Epperson
  • Marcus A. Erling
  • Isabelle Favre
  • William L. Eubank
  • Todd Felts, Posthumously
  • Allison Ferguson
  • Robert D. Gander
  • Jack Hayes
  • Michaun Hayes
  • Marci Hosier-Behmaram
  • Victor Kantsyrev
  • Charles Krasner
  • John Leland
  • Johnson Makoba
  • Shawn Marsh
  • Brian K. Martin
  • Katherine McCall
  • Roy Oman
  • Eric Rasmussen
  • Barry Perryman
  • June Saraceno
  • Javad Sattarvand
  • Brad Schultz
  • Amy Shannon
  • Mary Shultz
  • Gordon Steinmann
  • Joshua Stevenson
  • Debra Vigil
  • James Winn
  • Carrie Young
Impact & Student Success | May 30, 2025
John Trent
More In

Impact & Student Success

Impact & Student Success

Path to Independence (P2I) celebrates 10th graduating class at University of Nevada, Reno

P2I program honors eight students for completing two years of academic, vocational and independent living training

P2I graduates pose in front of the graduation stage.
5/29/2025
Impact & Student Success

Laurel Genzoli receives Hynes Award for New Investigators from Society for Freshwater Science

Postdoctoral scholar recognized for research on toxic algal blooms and water quality

A woman in a blue helmet and vest paddling a blue kayak.
5/22/2025
Impact & Student Success

UNR Med celebrates the Class of 2025 at Doctor of Medicine Commencement Ceremony

Graduates honored for their compassion, resilience and commitment to serving others through medicine

M.D. Class of 2025 graduates dressed in regalia outside the Pioneer Center jumping in the air with their diplomas in hand.
5/15/2025
Impact & Student Success

University of Nevada, Reno Biotechnology Program celebrates over two decades of impact

20th Biotechnology Symposium showcases innovative research, student success and industry collaboration

A man in a blue shirt and gloves dropping liquid in a test tube using a dropper.
5/13/2025

Editor's Picks

A decorated graduation cap in blue with flowers that reads "I never dreamed of success I worked for it."

‘Greatness resides in all of you’
Marilyn Newton poses with her camera.

Award-winning journalist Marilyn Newton to receive honorary doctoral degree
A man in a blue shirt and gloves dropping liquid in a test tube using a dropper.

University of Nevada, Reno Biotechnology Program celebrates over two decades of impact

A black and white image of man in a white coat standing by an electronic machine.

Reproduction made us all. So why do so many mysteries still persist?
Latest From

Nevada Today

Media & Society

Looking back at the Reynolds School's 2025 spring semester

Dean Yun reflects on the school's great achievements and highlights of the semester

Dean Yun holding a tennis racket standing in front of a green screen image of the French Open court.
5/29/2025
Research & Innovation

Clemons-Magee Endowed Professor in Chemistry Chris Barile named 2025 Foundation Established Innovator

Barile builds on his success in innovation

Chris Barile and Brian Sandoval smile for a photo, with Barile holding a framed certificate.
5/29/2025
Education & Public Service

NevadaTeach program cohosts annual UTeach STEM Educators Conference

The conference hosted STEM educators, students and alumni from across the country

A group of 15 of the conference organizers, holding wolf pack hand signs.
5/28/2025
Media & Society

Aspiring international science journalist joins nursing students in Cambodia

Reynolds School of Journalism student Kat Fulwider traveled alongside the Orvis School of Nursing, including a surprise layover in Shanghai

Two nursing students riding in the back of a tuk-tuk in Kampot, Cambodia while holding backpacks on their laps.
5/28/2025
Health & Medicine

Breaking barriers in global diagnostics

David AuCoin, Ph.D., shares insights from his lab’s work developing prototype rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases

AuCoin Lab members standing outside of the University of Nevada, Reno Center for Molecular Medicine building.
5/23/2025
Health & Medicine

You’ve got this: Everyday ways to support your mental health

Mental illness isn’t just genetic – here’s what to know and what you can do

Banner with a green ribbon on the left, a brain illustration on the right, and the text “May is Mental Health Awareness Month” centered.
5/27/2025
Health & Medicine

Public Health: Nevada’s best bet for a stronger future

Deans from the University of Nevada, Reno and University of Nevada Las Vegas advocate for public health funding: 'A strong public health system is the key to a thriving Nevada, ensuring the well-being of our communities, protecting against disease and fostering a resilient economy'

University of Nevada, Reno and UNLV School of Public Health deans.
5/22/2025
Business & Entrepreneurship

University Center for Economic Development earns recognitions from NCET

UCED receives the Lithium Loop Award; Dick Bartholet recognized as Sustainability Leader of the Year

Nevada Tech Hub team at NCET awards in front of a decorative NCET sign.
5/22/2025