After a yearlong hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Vermont recently celebrated a superstar class of 13 staff members who received the 2021 President’s Our Common Ground Award.
Initiated in 2014, the Our Common Ground Staff Award recognizes employees who make extraordinary contributions to the UVM community and whose way of working and being exemplifies the attributes of respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice and responsibility—the attributes named in UVM’s Our Common Ground statement of shared values. Nominations are crowd sourced from within the UVM community. Winners receive a thoughtfully designed plaque displaying the Our Common Ground statement and a $1,000 cash award.
Traditionally given to six staff members each year, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the rhythm for 2020. A surprise 13th award was given to retiring UVM administrator Gary Derr, Vice President for Operations and Public Safety and director of UVM’s successful COVID response.
Photo credit is Andy Duback. Caption: From left, back row: Vice President for Operations and Public Safety Gary Derr, Katherine Strotmeyer, Veronika Carter, Dana Braunegg, Lina Balcom, Cathy Rahill, President Suresh Garimella. Front row: Provost and Senior Vice President Patricia Prelock, Susan Munkres, Tiffanie Spencer, Sarah Mell, Stephanie Dion, Lisa Anderson, Kelly O'Malley