2024 President’s Staff Award Reception | Office of Human Resources

The President’s Staff Awards—the Meliora Award, Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award, and the Witmer Award for Distinguished Service—recognize employees whose innovative leadership, dedication, and sustained contributions have had a positive impact on the University and its community. The 2024 winners were honored by University President Sarah Mangelsdorf during an in-person reception on June 27. Commemorative plaques on the River Campus and at the Medical Center will also recognize the winners.

Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen Gallucci speaking at a podium.

University Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen Gallucci welcomed guests and recipients of the Meliora Award, Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award, Witmer Award for Distinguished Service, and the President’s Spotlight Award to the reception.

President Sarah Mangelsdorf delivers opening remarks.

President Sarah Mangelsdorf celebrated the accomplishments of the group and honored them for their service to the University and the Rochester community.

Larry Kessler, member of the board of trustees, delivers opening remarks.

Trustee Larry Kessler spoke on behalf of the Board of Trustees and thanked the recipients for their commitment to excellence.

Eiten Freedenberg (center), associate director, Rochester Education Justice Initiative, receives the Meliora Award. Left: Teri D'Agostino; right: President Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Meliora Award winner Eiten Freedenberg, associate director, Rochester Education Justice Initiative, (center) stands with Teri D’Agostino (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Harvey Gamble, director, environmental services, Strong Memorial Hospital. receives the Meliora Award. Left: Teri D'Agostino; right: President Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Meliora Award winner Harvey Gamble, director, environmental services, Strong Memorial Hospital, (center) stands with Teri D’Agostino (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Rosemarie Kolker (center) receives the Meliora Award. Left: Teri D'Agostino; right: President Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Meliora Award winner Rosemarie Kolker, associate quality officer, quality improvement, Strong Memorial Hospital, (center) stands with Teri D’Agostino (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

James Alkins (center) receives the Witmer Award for Distinguished Service. Left: Larry Kessler, trustee; right: President Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Witmer Awards for Distinguished Service winner James Alkins, senior laboratory engineer and Fabrication Shop manager, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, (center) stands with Larry Kessler, trustee (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Berthenia Coltrane (center), IT help desk manager, arts, sciences, & engineering IT receives the Witmer Award for Distinguished Service. Left: Larry Kessler, trustee; right: President Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Witmer Awards for Distinguished Service winner Berthenia Coltrane, help desk manager, University IT, (center) stands with Larry Kessler, trustee (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

David VanWey, HR/Benefits Representative and Lead Analyst; Programmer, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, receives the Witmer Award for Distinguished Service. Left: Larry Kessler, trustee; right: President Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Witmer Awards for Distinguished Service winner David VanWey, HR/Benefits representative and lead analyst/programmer, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, (center) stands with Larry Kessler, trustee (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Christine Brower, (center) IT associate director, research product management enterprise data and analytics, information systems division, receives the Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award. Left: President Sarah Mangelsdorf; right: Kathleen Gallucci.

Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award winner Christine Brower, IT associate director, Research Product Management
Enterprise Data and Analytics, Information Systems Division, (center) stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf (left) and Kathleen Gallucci (right).

Clara Washington, administrative assistant, UR Medicine Quality Institute, receives the Staff Community Service Award. Left: Kathleen Gallucci; right: President Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Staff Community Service Award winner Clara Washington, administrative assistant, UR Medicine Quality Institute, (center) stands with Kathleen Gallucci (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Michael Chudyk, groundskeeper, support operations, Facilities and Services, receives the President's Spotlight Award.

President’s Spotlight Award winner Michael Chudyk, groundskeeper, support operations, Facilities and Services, (center) stands with Kathleen Gallucci (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

President Sarah Mangelsdorf standing behind a podium giving a speech.

President Sarah Mangelsdorf celebrated the accomplishments of the group and honored them for their service to the University and the Rochester community.

University Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen Gallucci welcomed guests and recipients of the Meliora Award, Lamar Riley Murphy Leadership Award, Witmer Award for Distinguished Service, and the President’s Spotlight Award to the reception.

Trustee Tom Richards spoke on behalf of the Board of Trustees and thanked the recipients for their commitment to excellence.

University of Rochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf (left) and University of Rochester Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Kathleen M. Gallucci (right) give Meliora Award winner, Jaqueline Beckerman (center)

Meliora Award winner Jacqueline Beckerman (center) stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf (left) and Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci (right).

University of Rochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf and University of Rochester Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Kathleen M. Gallucci and Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards give Meliora Award winner YoUR Support Team

Meliora Award winner Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network Team stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci, and Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards.

Meliora Award winner YoUR Support Team stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci, and Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards.

Witmer Award winner, Brenda Kavanaugh poses with Tom Richards and President Mangelsdorf.

Witmer Award winner Brenda Kavanaugh (center) stands with Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Witmer Award winner, Jill Morris poses with Tom Richards and President Mangelsdorf

Witmer Award winner Jill Morris (center) stands with Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Witmer Award winner, John Podvin poses with Tom Richards and President Mangelsdorf

Witmer Award winner John Podvin (center) stands with Board of Trustee Member Tom Richards (left) and President Sarah Mangelsdorf (right).

Staff Community Service Award winner, Veena Ganeshan poses with President Mangelsdorf and Kathleen M. Gallucci

Staff Community Service Award winner Veena Ganeshan (center) stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf (left) and Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci (right).

Lamar Riley Murphy Award winner Felicia Reed-Watt poses with Sarah Mangelsdorf and Kathleen M. Gallucci

Lamar Riley Murphy Award winner Felicia Reed-Watt (center) stands with President Sarah Mangelsdorf (left) and Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen M. Gallucci (right).