Tony Bormann is MSUM’s nominee for Professional Excellence in Service Award

Tony Bormann, Outreach Coordinator for the College of Science, Health, and the Environment, has been selected by the MSUAASF campus committee to be recognized for the Professional Excellence in Service Award. His nomination has been forwarded to the Minnesota State Board of Trustees for consideration of the statewide award.

The Professional Excellence in Service Award acknowledges outstanding service to our universities and to the Minnesota State system. It recognizes the key role service faculty fulfill at our system’s universities in advising and counseling students; in the recruitment, retention, and placement of students; in residential life programming; in facilitation of student groups and student leadership; and other involvement in university and community activities. Awards will be announced in April.

Tony effectively serves as the director of the Regional Science Center near Buffalo River State Park. Over the past 15 years, he has maintained a strong and exciting programming schedule at the Regional Science Center, training teachers who bring their classes to the site. This is no small feat; every third-grade student from Moorhead and every fifth-grade student from Fargo visits the Regional Science Center, as do several grades from West Fargo and beyond. Tony has also played an instrumental role in the success of public astronomy events over the past 10 years.

In the nomination from Tony’s colleagues, they state: “What truly makes Tony outstanding is his ability to connect with people and connect people together, providing a communication pathway between organizations and programs… Tony epitomizes the selfless contribution that makes MSUM and by extension the world a better place. His positive, can-do attitude is always refreshing. Tony is humble and would eschew accolades that he so rightly deserves.”

Tony excels in all criteria that are part of the nomination process: exceptional work performance; advancement of MSUM’s mission; expertise, creative achievement and professional development; and contribution to student growth and development.

Of Tony’s nomination, President Anne Blackhurst says, “Tony Bormann’s work is mainly conducted at the Regional Science Center so some on campus may not know the tremendous impact he makes each day. Through his interactions with K-12 teachers and students, as well as faculty and students from other universities, Tony represents the university with true grit, humility and heart. His nomination for this award is particularly meaningful because it comes from faculty and staff colleagues who know what a joy he is to work with.”