Spirit of BG Award
Every day, BGSU thrives because of the compassion, kindness, courage, expertise and extra effort shown by our administrative staff. These “above and beyond” moments, often unnoticed, are what make our campus community strong.
The Spirit of BG Award recognizes administrative staff members who embody the University’s core values in their daily work. Each month, one outstanding staff member is honored for making a positive difference at BGSU.
- Recognition: $75 and an award presentation
- Eligibility: Any full-time or part-time administrative staff member
- Deadline: Nominations are due on the last day of each month
Criteria
Nominees should reflect one or more of BGSU’s values:
- Respect and inclusion
- Collaboration and community
- Intellectual and personal growth
- Innovation and entrepreneurism
- Excellence
How to Nominate
Complete the nomination form.
- Include a short summary (max 250 words) describing why this person deserves recognition and how they demonstrate BGSU’s values.
- NOTE: Nominations do not carry over. To be considered again, resubmit your nomination the following month.
Congratulations to our winners!
Dawn Vollmar, Student Financial Aid, is the winner of the August 2026 Spirit of BG Award! Dawn was nominated by Tina Coulter who wrote the following:
"Student Financial Aid (SFA) staff are used to pivoting for last-minute changes in regulations, but the One Big Beautiful Bill Act regulations; that changed most of the Direct Loan program, has brought a not so ‘beautiful’ perfect storm to BGSU. Not only did the regs come out late, incomplete and full of unanswered questions, but because of the timing of their release, system implementations of the new requirements have also been delayed and full of bugs by our software vendor. This has led to delayed summer disbursements for our students and financial concerns for both the University and families for the fall.
However, there is one staff member specifically who has stepped up, led the charge, taken on roles outside of her normal job duties to research, test, and train others. She has worked long hours; giving up her planned vacation days, to ensure BGSU SFA was getting funds processed as quickly as possible. She worked with our families, staff, and various offices for setup & to provide special lists to hold students harmless while finding new ways to implement changes that have required multiple manual hours of fixes because the delivered automation was/still is not working. It is because of her dedication that our fall aid has been applied on schedule, and the Univ. is able to draw funds to support the refunds to our students! She truly represents all that the Spirit of BG Awards are meant for and hope you will strongly consider Dawn Vollmar for this award."
Congratulations, Dawn!
2026-27
- August - Dawn Vollmar, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
2025-26
- July - No nominations
- August - Suzanne Zampino, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
- September - Megan Bond, Resort and Attraction Management
- October - Ashleigh Deifenbach, Thompson Scholarship Programs
- November - Troy Spikes, Campus Operations
- December - No nominations
- January - Mikayla Russ, Corporate Partnerships
- February - Claire Hoover, Thompson Scholarship Programs
- March - Amy Spohn, Planning, Construction and Campus Operations
- April - Mitch Miller, College of Education and Human Development
- May - Andrea "Andi" Gutierrez, Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections
- June -
2024-25
- July - Maite Hall, International Programs and Partnerships
- August - Ehab Elmorsy, College of Education
- September - Eric Crimmins, Information Technology Services
- October - Jason Hartigan, Student Finacial Aid and Scholarships
- December - Rachel Froman, Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections
- January - Dermot Forde, College of Health and Human Services
- February - Heather Milne, Office of Registration and Records
- March - Erica Mills, Office of Admissions
- April - Kendra Lutes, Marvin Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement
- May - Tyler Bill, Marvin Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement
- June - No nominations
2023-24
- July - Greg Dickerson, Radbill Center for College and Life Design
- August - Morgan Alexander-Coster, Thompson Scholarship Programs
- September - Katie Gankosky, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
- October - Troy Spikes, Campus Services
- November - Seth Campbell, Firelands Office of Campus Life and Engagement
- December - Dr. Jessica Mitchell-Corsino, Counseling Center
- January - Jasmine Gordon Schulz, College of Arts and Sciences
- February - Dr. Cordula Mora, Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship
- March - Emily Gattozzi, University Libraries
- April - DeVona Smith, Thompson Scholarship Programs
- May - Laura Moore, University Advancement
- June - Ashley Hartman, Recreation and Wellness
2022-23
- July - Jenn Buening, Firelands Academic & Career Counseling
- August - Jason Graven, Nontraditional and Military Student Services
- September - Meredith Errington, Information Technology Services
- October - Lori Fox, Nontraditional and Military Student Services
- November - Will O'Leary, Intercollegiate Athletics
- December - Krista Westrick-Payne, Sociology/National Center for Family & Marriage Research
- January - Dae'lyn Do, Thompson Scholarship Programs
- February - Kori Koschalk-Newmister, Center for Women and Gender Equity
- March - Derm Forde, College of Health and Human Services
- April - Kari Wilson, Office of Academic Affairs
- May - Holly Barber, Center for Faculty Excellence
- June - Jennifer Morehart, University Libraries
2021-22
- September - Harley King, Athletics
- October - Laura Barned, Student Success and Life Design
- November - Victoria Kontos, Firelands Admissions
- December - Becky Cogswell, Office of Registration and Records
- January - Kristin Payne, Thompson Scholarship Programs
- February - Danielle Parker, University Advancement
- March - Erica Mills, Office of Admissions
- May - Bob Kline, Student Success and Life Design
- June - Brandi Barhite, Office of Admissions
2020-21
- August - Paul Valdez, Center of Public Impact
- September - Kim Brooks, Undergraduate Education
- October - Michael Leopardo, Intercollegiate Athletics
- November - Claire Hoover, College of Education
- December - Kristi Peiffer, Campus Construction
- January - Michael Laurello, College of Musical Arts
2019-20
- September – Jamie Wlosowicz, Center for Women and Gender Equity
- October – Julie Hamann, Firelands Instructional Media
- November – Karyn Smith, Recreation and Wellness
- December – Holly Cipriani, College Credit Plus Program
- January – Chad Fletcher, Information Technology Services
- February – Toni Gordon, Diversity and Belonging
Updated: 09/30/2026 08:55PM