The Dr. Michael R. Ferrari Award
Administrative Staff Member of the Year
The Ferrari Award, named for Dr. Michael R. Ferrari in 1982, is the highest honor for administrative staff at BGSU. It recognizes outstanding performance, innovation and care for others across campus.
Award includes:
- Choice of $1,000 plus a reserved parking space for one year, or $1,500 without parking
- Recognition at the Administrative Staff Awards Banquet
- Recipient’s name and photo displayed on the Bowling Green campus
- Award noted in personnel file and shared with supervisor/VP
Deadline for 2025-26 nominations is April 3, 2026.
- Current full-time administrative staff member
- Employed at BGSU for at least one year
- Cannot have received the award the previous year
- The nominee’s job title/position should not influence nominations
Nominees should demonstrate attentiveness to University growth, exceptional performance and genuine care for others. They must also show at least one of the following:
- Innovation & Initiative: Demonstrating resourcefulness through creative ideas that improve efficiency, work environment and/or campus community.
- Performance: Contributing beyond job requirements, such as special projects, committee work, service to professional organizations or recognition through grants/publications.
- Relationships: Making a positive impact on faculty, staff and/or students by fostering growth, harmony and collaboration across the campus.
- Complete the nomination form.
- Upload a narrative (max 500 words) using the following prompts to guide you:
- Impact & Contributions
Describe the nominee’s most significant achievements and contributions at BGSU. How have they made a difference in their role or the campus community?
- Award Criteria Alignment
Explain how the nominee meets the award criteria.
- Distinguishing Qualities
What sets this nominee apart from others? Why do they deserve this award in particular?
- Impact & Contributions
- Provide 2 letters of support addressing the award criteria and the writer's relationship with the nominee.
- A third letter is optional though it will not carry additional weight in the selection process.
Dr. Michael R. Ferrari
The Dr. Michael R. Ferrari Award, presented to a member of the Administrative Staff, was authorized by the Board of Trustees in 1982 to honor Dr. Ferrari, who served as interim president during 1981-82.
During his tenure at Bowling Green State University, Dr. Ferrari faced adversities and challenges similar to those riddling the state of Ohio today, and his words, drawn from a lifetime of experiences in higher education, are guaranteed to inspire. Even in his early days in academia, Ferrari was ever cognizant of the “substantial reservoir of institutional pride that exists among faculty and staff” (at BGSU). He consistently discovered innovative and creative means through which to lead the institution in the midst of adversity. Dr. Ferrari’s legacy of executive leadership and continuity of character was celebrated by countless colleagues and friends who attend the annual Ferrari Award presentations.
Updated: 10/08/2025 02:47PM