Dragon Excellence Award Finalists
Thursday, May 9 | 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | CMU Ballroom
With #DragonPride, we recognize the finalists for the Dragon Excellence awards. Winners will be announced at the Celebration of our Dragon Employees Thursday, May 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CMU Ballroom. Please join us as we honor our incredible team members and their contributions.
Academic Excellence
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.
Finalists
- Dr. Sumali Pandey
- Dr. Brandi Sillerud
- Dr. Alicia Swanson
Academic Innovation
Someone who 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.
Finalists
- Dr. Keri DeSutter
- Dr. Tim Harms
- Mary Muehlberg
Collaboration
Someone who 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.
Finalists
- Academic Success Tutoring Program and Library
- Erin Balerud
- Laura Kiemele
- Lori Wallace
- Dr. TJ Hansen
- MacKenzie Hron
Equity & Inclusion
Someone 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.
Finalists
- Cori Edgerton
- Erienne Fawcett and the Rainbow Dragon Center
- Dr. Caitlin Johnson
Community Engagement
Someone who 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.
Finalists
- Jami Crummy
- Dr. Amy Mercer
- Julia Poplin
- Adam Szalacinski and Sean Brandenburg
Core Values
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. We would like to recognize all individuals who were nominated for this important core values award.
Finalists
- Cindy Albaugh
- Madison Anderson
- Craig Beckerleg
- Ashley Berkenpas
- Elizabeth Evert-Karnes
- Adam Goyt
- Sam Groff
- Carol Hall
- Kyle Kopacek
- Phil Larson
- Elaine Pyle
- Ashley Quinn
- Gail Schmidt
- Andy Scott