University of Georgia

Merit awards are designed to encourage outstanding performance; reward excellence in staff achievements; and foster staff development by recognizing exceptional workplace creativity, innovation and sustained excellence in support of University business and administrative functions. The merit award program is a peer-drive process in which Finance and Administration staff nominate colleagues who excel at their jobs.

2025 F&A Merit Awards

Outstanding Teams
Awarded to teams of two or more F&A/UHR staff members that demonstrate the positive impact of working together toward a shared goal. These teams embody how YOU + ME = WE ELEVATE THE G!

2025 Outstanding Teams

  • Bolton Dining Team, AS
  • Business Office, FMD
  • Grounds Department, FMD
  • Office of Emergency Preparedness Team, OEP

Community Service Award
Awarded to an F&A/UHR staff member who gives their time, services and/or resources to transform lives and make lasting improvements in their community.

2025 Finalists:

  • Stuart Ivy, Information Technology, AS
  • Nicole Moon, Bursar and Treasury Services, FD
  • Jason Sands, Asset Management, FD
  • Alexa Scott, SPA Post Award Accounting, FD

Customer Service Award
Awarded to an F&A/UHR staff member who goes above and beyond to provide outstanding service to coworkers, supervisors, students, faculty, staff or the public.

2025 Finalists:

  • Chuck Cartwright, Project Management, OUA
  • Rashell Gartrell, Building Services, FMD
  • Joy Hirsch, SPA Post Award Accounting, FD
  • Carol Van Sant, Grounds Department, FMD

Leadership Award
Awarded to an F&A/UHR staff member who positively impacts and influences others, thrives on new ideas and supports their team and the University through ingenuity and building connections.

2025 Finalists:

  • Karey Kazemie, Parking Services, AS
  • Brad Langford, SPA Post Award Accounting, FD
  • Laura Lopez, Building Services, FMD
  • Matt Peterson, Golf Course, AS

Newcomer Award
Awarded to an F&A/UHR staff member who, despite lack of time on the job, has significantly contributed to the organizational mission and showed outstanding initiative, reliability, and dedication to the University. (Nominees must have less than two years of continuous service with UGA.)

2025 Finalists:

  • Richard Long, Information Technology, AS
  • Alice Moreland, Transportation and Parking Services, AS
  • Zachary Newton, SPA Post Award Accounting, FD
  • Abigail Aragon, Project Management, OUA

Tough Dawg Award
Awarded to an F&A/UHR staff member who has endured difficult workplace circumstances (overcoming obstacles or challenges) with grace, good humor, patience, and exemplary job performance.

2025 Finalists:

  • Jack Eberhart, Dining Services, AS
  • Jessica Jacobellis, Hazardous Materials, ESD
  • Daniel Moss, Budget Office, FD
  • Ronald “Preston” Norris & Sophie Raboud, Criminal Investigation, UGPD

Unsung Hero Award
Awarded to an F&A/UHR staff member who is not often publicly recognized but who performs exemplary work and brings stability and dependability to their team and to F&A overall.

2025 Finalists:

  • Melissa Day, Dining Services, AS
  • Rita Dempsey, Business Office, FMD
  • Kathleen Sawhill, Payroll Department, FD
  • Ian Van Giesen, Engineering, FMD

In the News

group of people in front of screen

04.04.2025

Capstones Spark New Ideas for F&A/UHR Data Strategy

Presentations mark completion of certificate course for data-driven decision-making On March 13, the first group of staff members from Finance and Administration (F&A) and University Human Resources (UHR) graduated from the Data Analytics for Decision Making certificate program. As part of the graduation ceremony, participants presented team capstone projects that explored new ways to visualize […]

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Six people standing in a row holding wrapped presents

03.24.2025

A Tradition of Giving: Community Holiday Outreach Grows in Impact

In December, Finance and Administration and University Human Resources wrapped up the fourth annual Community Holiday Outreach Initiative. The event raised funds and physical donations for families and seniors in Athens-Clarke County for a total value of $16,133, the highest total in the event’s history.

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03.11.2025

Building services manager serves as a support system

As a building services manager with the Facilities Management Division, Amesha Barnes wants to see all of her team members succeed.

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