Dragon Excellence Award Finalists
With #DragonPride, we recognize the finalists for the Dragon Excellence awards.
Winners will be announced at the Celebration of our Dragon Employees 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, May 11 in the CMU Ballroom.
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MSUM University Scholars Award
This award is designed to recognize a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding teaching, service or scholarship. The recipient receives a recognition plaque and $2,500 for scholarly endeavors, creative-activity support or professional development.
- Kerri DeSutter, School of Teaching & Learning
- Ananda Shastri, Physics & Astronomy
- Jitendra Singh, School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
- Brian Wisenden, Biosciences
Academic Excellence
This award honors someone who focuses relentlessly on student achievement by providing rigorous curriculum, using innovative pedagogy and incorporating real-life application in their courses. They go the extra mile, understanding that student success is the reason we exist.
- Craig Jasperse
- Jeremy Carney
- Nancy Stock
- Rochelle Bergstrom
Academic Innovation
This award is given to a person or team that excels in the areas of research and creative activity. Their research supports student learning and achievement by focusing on intentional outcomes that can be incorporated into curriculum and/or including students in the research process. They are passionate about our purpose of transforming lives.
- AES Faculty
- Catherine Artac & Steve Beckerman
- Dawnita Gallo
- Ellen Fagerstrom
- Project Infuse Grant Team
Collaboration
This award is given to a person or team that embraces cross-campus collaboration, focusing on programming and processes that lead to greater opportunities for students, employees and the university. They have big goals and the tenacity to achieve them.
- Brittney Goodman
- Physical Plant
- Drop for Non-Payment Collaboration Team
- Erika Beseler Thompson
- Football Camera Project Team
- Kristi Monson
- Presidential Search – Kayla Kappes, Braden Kuznia & Steve Fox
Equity & Inclusion
This award is given to a person or team whose effort reflects the university’s strategic anchor of creating a campus community that is diverse, inclusive, globally aware and just. They are visionary in their thinking, and understand the importance of student achievement, supporting diversity and being vital in our community.
- Chuck Eade
- Co-Teaching Team of ENTR/MGMT 229
- Retention Subcommittee led by Erika Beseler Thompson
- Yolanda Arauza
- Zinnia Marquette
Community Engagement
This award is given to a person or team that is instrumental in positioning MSUM as an indispensable member of the communities we serve. They embody leadership and have the passion to tackle important economic and social issues facing our community.
- Brad Bachmeier
- DEI Event Team
- Sean Brandenburg
- The Straw Hat Players
Core Values
This award celebrates someone who lives out the university’s strategic anchors and core values of Grit, Humility and Heart. They go the extra mile for our students and each other. They recognize that we are all on the same team and the best ideas can come from anywhere.
- Building Services Staff – Lommen Hall Cleanup
- Craig Beckerleg
- Denise Gorsline
- IT Development Team – Adam Brewer, Brennan Spicer, Aaron Beseler
- Megan Proulx
- MSUM Grounds Crew/Snow Removal Crew
- Ryan Nelson
- Steve Fox
- Yadira Frey