Pacific Recognizes Outstanding Faculty & Staff

Pacific University bestowed its annual faculty and staff awards and recognitions May 5 in a virtual ceremony.

Each May, the university recognizes a series of employee awards based on nominations and supporting documentation from colleagues. Among them are awards for teaching, service, and student support.

Among this year’s honorees as Ellen Margolis, chair of the Pacific University Theatre & Dance Department, who was named Distinguished University Professor. Margolis is a highly respected teacher who receives praise from students and colleagues alike. She also is an award-winning playwright and regional theatre director who has won two Drammy Awards.

Additional honors included recognitions for teaching, service and scholarship, respectively, for outstanding service to the university, and for work to advance diversity and inclusion. Read more about each of the awardees:

• Carmel Nicol, Assistant Director of Graduate & Professional Admissions, School of Audiology | Dedication to Students Award
• Katie Morgan, Senior Business Analyst & Project Manager, UIS | Splendid Audacity Award
• Kim Greenwood, Senior Executive Assistant to the Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs | Boxer Spirit Award
• Al Weiss, Director for the Center for Educational Technology and Curricular Innovation | Outstanding Leadership Award
• Todd Duncan, Assistant Professor of Physics | Provost’s Junior Faculty Award for Teaching
• Lalit Khandare, Assistant Professor of Social Work | Provost’s Junior Faculty Award for Scholarship
• Josie Ragolia, Assistant Professor & Student Success Librarian | Provost’s Junior Faculty Award for Service
• Jeannine Chan, Associate Professor of Chemistry | President’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
• Paul Michael, Professor and Director of Research, School of Graduate Psychology | President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching
• Sara Summers, Assistant Director of Graduate & Professional Admissions, Eugene Campus | Distinguished Contribution to the University
• Ruth Zúñiga, Associate Professor, School of Graduate Psychology | University Diversity & Justice Award
• Victor Rodríguez, Associate Professor of Spanish | Kate Garrison “Overcoming the Odds” Award

Also honored at the ceremony were 17 faculty and staff members who retired in 2020-2021:

• Chuck Currie, Director for the Center for Peace & Spirituality, University Chaplain and Professor of Religious Studies | Creighton Honored Retiree
• Leslie Devaud, School of Pharmacy | Emeritus Professor
• Tenley Taylor, Administrative Assistant, School of Arts & Humanities | Creighton Honored Retiree
• Caroline Johnson, Assistant Teacher, Early Learning Community
• John S. Miller, Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor | Emeritus Provost & Professor
• John R. Hayes, College of Optometry | Emeritus Professor
• Patty Larkins, Administrative Assistant, School of Natural Sciences | Creighton Honored Retiree
• Shawn Davis, School of Graduate Psychology | Emeritus Professor
• Mark Pedemonte, School of Physician Assistant Studies | Emeritus Professor
• John White, School of Occupational Therapy | Emeritus Professor
• Marcy Apple, Optician, College of Optometry | Creighton Honored Retiree
• Lisette Romig, Community Outreach Coordinator, College of Optometry | Creighton Honored Retiree
• Debby Friscia, Coordinator of Didactic Education, School of Physician Assistant Studies | Creighton Honored Retiree
• Bill Ray, Associate Vice President, Finance & Administration | Creighton Honored Retiree
• Nancy Connolly, Accounts Payable Manager | Creighton Honored Retiree
• June Dressler, Associate Director, Career Development Center | Creighton Honored Retiree
• Ingrid Unterseher, Executive Assistant to Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Life | Creighton Honored Retiree
• Allie Losli, Controller & Associate Vice President, Finance & Administration | Creighton Honored Retiree