2026 UofL Presidential Excellence Awards recognize employee dedication and impact

The University of Louisville boasts a strong community of faculty and staff – all of whom lend their time and talent to the university’s commitment to being a great place to learn, discover, connect and work. Each year, several UofL employees are recognized for exceeding expectations through the Presidential Excellence Awards program. UofL’s Employee Success Center recently announced this year’s award winners.

George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award

The George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award recognizes the highest level of achievement among staff employees. Serving as a companion award to the Trustees Award for faculty, the George J. Howe Distinguished Staff Award is a symbol of what we value as a campus community, having an “extraordinary impact on the lives of students.” This award winner exemplifies the traits of its namesake George J. Howe in humility, generosity, and excellence in leadership, as well as the Cardinal Principles and whose career has had an exceptional impact on the university.

• Diane Whitlock, assistant vice president for strategic initiatives in the Office of Access & Opportunity

Trustees Award

The Board of Trustees of the University of Louisville established the Trustees Award in 1989 to honor faculty who individually impact the future of our students. The award is intended to recognize faculty who have had, currently or in the past, an extraordinary impact on students.

• Recipient will be announced on April 17, 2026.

Cardinal Principles Champions

The Cardinal Principles Champions Award recognizes faculty and staff who exemplify the university’s guiding values through meaningful actions and impact. Each recipient is recognized for demonstrating one of the Cardinal Principles in a way that positively influences students, colleagues and the broader university community.

• Community of Care: Audra N. French, School of Dentistry
• Agility: Libby Champion, College of Education & Human Development
• Respect: Amanda LeDuke, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement
• Diversity: Katie Kleinkopf, College of Arts & Sciences
• Integrity & Transparency: MaryPat Chiavaroli, College of Arts & Sciences
• Noble Purpose: Tonia D. Thomas, Office of Access & Opportunity
• Accountability: Michelle Maddox, School of Medicine
• Leadership: Brad Shuck, College of Education & Human Development

Distinguished Faculty Awards

The University of Louisville recognizes faculty members who bring distinction to the institution through exceptional contributions in teaching, research, creative work and service. The Distinguished Faculty Awards honor individuals whose work reflects the university’s mission and Cardinal Principles, advancing student success, scholarship and impact across the university and broader community.

Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity

• Basic and Applied Sciences: Gregory Barnes, School of Medicine
• Career Achievement: Aruni Bhatnagar, School of Medicine
• Creative and Performing Arts: William Reese Land, School of Music
• Humanities: Lauren Freeman, College of Arts & Sciences
• Social Sciences: Tara Schapmire, School of Medicine

Distinguished Service

• Service to the Community, the Commonwealth and/or the Region: Matthew H. Ruther, College of Arts & Sciences
• Service to the Profession: Kupper Wintergerst, School of Medicine
• Career of Service: Gerard Paul Rabalais, School of Medicine
• Service to UofL: Natalie C. Polzer, College of Arts & Sciences
• National/International Service: Mirzada Kurbasic, School of Medicine

Distinguished Teaching Professor

• James S. Chisholm, College of Education & Human Development, full-time
• Jennifer Koch, School of Medicine, full-time
• Shawn Schweppe Parkhurst, College of Arts & Sciences, full-time
• Heather L. Storer, Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, full-time
• Jennifer M. Foreman, Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, part-time

Outstanding Performance Awards

The Outstanding Performance Awards celebrate UofL staff who demonstrate exceptional performance, service and dedication. These awards highlight contributions that make a meaningful impact across the university.

• Mindy L. Christian, Public Safety
• Melissa Eversole, Office of Admissions
• David L. Fichuo, School of Medicine
• Julie Hornung, Clinical Trials
• Andrew C. Marsh, J.B. Speed School of Engineering
• Beth Masters, Human Resources
• Kristen Taxes Roy, Office of Access & Opportunity
• Veronica (Sissy) Snorton-Craft, Physical Plant
• Anika Strand, Student Success Center
• Mary Beth Uberti, Campus Health

Outstanding Supervisor Award

The Outstanding Supervisor Award recognizes supervisors who demonstrate exceptional leadership by supporting and developing their teams while fostering a positive and respectful work environment. These leaders model the Cardinal Principles through their actions and impact.

• Rachel Hodge, University Libraries

Team Impact Award

The Team Impact Award recognizes teams whose collaboration, innovation and shared efforts create meaningful impact across the university. These groups demonstrate the power of collective work in advancing the university’s mission.

• Benefits Team/Human Resources: Chastity Millanti, Michaeline Miller, Beth Masters, Carol Zehnder, Ashley Bertram, Shannon Hall, Mariah Mitchell, Greg Paradiso

Distinguished Retiree Awards

The Distinguished Retiree Awards recognize retired faculty and staff whose continued scholarship, service and contributions reflect the university’s Cardinal Principles and create meaningful impact beyond their careers at UofL. These awards are presented in partnership with the University of Louisville Association of Retired Personnel (ULARP) and the UofL Alumni Association.

• Distinguished Retiree Excellence Award: Allan Tasman, Emeritus Professor
• Distinguished Retiree Alumni Award: Michael Radmacher, UofL Alumnus and Retiree