Merit Award Nominations

Awarded to a group of two or more Finance and Administration staff members who have come together to serve the mission of the University and have demonstrated how their collective accomplishments are far greater than what we can attain alone. Teams may include staff members and collaboration internal to or with units outside of Finance & Administration. These teams have quietly created meaningful and positive change in the way commitments are delivered. Nominees demonstrate 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

Awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who engages in their community by unselfishly giving their time, services, and resources. Individuals are given a chance through the giving of their resources to leave their mark on the community they serve. Community service leaves an indelible mark that can transform many lives now and for generations to come.

2025 Award Recipient
Alexa Scott, SPA Post Award Accounting, FD

Finalists
Stuart Ivy, Information Technology, AS
Nicole Moon, Bursar and Treasury Services, FD
Jason Sands, Asset Management, FD

Awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who is an example to others by providing continual outstanding service to our customers–coworkers, supervisors, students, faculty, staff or the public. This staff member goes above and beyond the call of duty to meet customers’ needs.

2025 Award Recipient
Carol Van Sant, Grounds Department, FMD

Finalists
Chuck Cartwright, Project Management, OUA
Rashell Gartrell, Building Services, FMD
Joy Hirsch, SPA Post Award Accounting, FD

Awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who positively impacts and influences others, who showcases the way F&A thrives on new ideas, who builds strong and productive relationships, who develops new methods to improve productivity and efficiency not only for their unit but for F&A and the University as a whole. To lead is to influence people. Leadership focuses on developing skills and relationships between people rather than focusing on the organizational chart. The F&A Leadership Merit Award recognizes that we have influential leaders throughout our organization in multiple roles and at all levels. A leader takes responsibility and, through everyday actions, collectively brings a unit or team together where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When a member of our division shows leadership, it influences others to be leaders as well, which happens more naturally when relationships (often unseen in an organization’s hierarchy) are created.

2025 Award Recipient
Laura Lopez, Building Services, FMD

Finalists
Karey Kazemi, Parking Services, AS
Brad Langford, SPA Post Award Accounting, FD
Matt Peterson, Golf Course, AS

Awarded to a Finance and Administration 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 services with UGA as of the nomination deadline.

2025 Award Recipient
Abigail Aragon, Project Management, OUA

Finalists
Richard Long, Information Technology, AS
Alice Moreland, Transportation and Parking Services, AS
Zachary Newton, SPA Post Award Accounting, FD

Honoring resiliency in the workplace; awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who has demonstrated exceptional professional resilience while navigating significant workplace challenges. This individual embodies strength, integrity, and empathy—meeting adversity with grace, positivity, and steadfast commitment to their role and their team. Their perseverance and exemplary performance serve as an inspiration to the F&A community.

2025 Award Recipient
Jessica Jacobellis, Hazardous Materials, ESD

Finalists
Jack Eberhart, Dining Services, AS
Daniel Moss, Budget Office, FD
Ronald “Preston” Norris & Sophie Raboud, Criminal Investigation, UGPD

Awarded to a Finance and Administration staff member who works hard and does his/her job well, but seldom, if ever, is recognized publicly for his or her work. This person is continually both a real benefit to his/her coworkers and a stable, dependable resource for Finance and Administration as a whole.

2025 Award Recipient
Ian Van Giesen, Engineering, FMD

Finalists
Melissa Day, Dining Services, AS
Rita Dempsey, Business Office, FMD
Kathleen Sawhill, Payroll Department, FD