40th annual Administrative Staff Council Awards recognize achievement and dedication of staff

The event celebrating administrative staff also featured a silent auction to raise funds for ASC scholarships

The 40th Annual Administrative Staff Council Awards and Recognition Ceremony took place at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union on May 9. The achievements and hard work of all administrative staff members were celebrated and this year’s winners were announced for the Dr. Michael R. Ferrari, Newcomer of the Year, Diversity and Belonging and BG Best Awards.

Strong in-person attendance was supplemented by a virtual audience, including those attending the watch party and satellite banquet at BGSU Firelands. A silent auction raised $1,450 in support of ASC scholarships. ASC teamed up with the Office of Campus Sustainability and BGSU Dining to make this year’s celebration a green event that generated minimal waste and the lowest carbon footprint possible.

Here is a summary of the exceptional administrative staff who won this year’s ASC awards after being nominated by their colleagues.

Dr. Michael R. Ferrari Award

This prestigious award, named after Dr. Michael R. Ferrari in 1982, is the highest honor an administrative staff member can be awarded through Administrative Staff Council. The award, which recognizes the administrative staff member of the year, comes with a $1,000 cash award and a reserved parking space for one year or $1,500 with no reserved parking space.

This year’s winner is Tom Gorman, assistant dean of Undergraduate Education and Student Services. Gorman was nominated by Jodi Devine, associate dean of the Honors Program, who pointed to his “thoughtful, prompt communication” while treating every student with the “respect, dignity and care that you might expect from a father figure.”

BG Best Award

The BG Best Award recognizes administrative staff members who have shown outstanding commitment to BGSU or have implemented a new idea or program and comes with a $200 cash award.

This year’s winner is Michele Schmitz, budget administrator with the Graduate College. She was nominated separately by Jennifer Waldron, dean of the Graduate College, and Suzanne Gwozdz, budget administrator for the College of Education and Human Development, who pointed to Schmitz’ “excellent customer service to both graduate program coordinators and graduate students.”

Newcomer of the Year Award

The Newcomer of the Year Award was created to recognize a newer administrative staff member who has played an integral part at Bowling Green State University and comes with a $200 cash award.

This year’s winner is Dae’lyn Do, who serves as coordinator for Student Engagement and Programming with the Thompson Scholarship Program. She was nominated by Mary Kay Inkrott Hiser, director of the Thompson Scholarship Program, who pointed to Do’s exceptional connection with students, “meeting them where they are and listening without judgment while helping them navigate challenging times.”

Diversity and Belonging Award

The Diversity and Belonging Award was added in 2022 to acknowledge and honor the work of any administrative staff member, office or group who has demonstrated a commitment to advancing a positive culture of diversity, equity and belonging at BGSU. The award also comes with a $200 cash award.

Two winners were announced this year: Bryan Mestre and Keyon Camden, who both serve as coordinators for College Access and Admissions in the Admissions Office. They were nominated by Zachary Schmidt, coordinator of transfer admissions in the Office of Admissions, who observed that both Mestre and Camden are “instrumental in recruiting students from diverse and underrepresented groups, helping them navigate the college admissions process.”

Spirit of BG Award

BGSU functions daily on random acts of compassion, kindness, courage, expert help, extra effort and caring toward BGSU students and colleagues. These gestures, which build and strengthen our community, continue to be acknowledged by the presentation of the Administrative Staff Council’s monthly "Spirit of BG" award. Winners receive $75, public recognition from colleagues and friends, and a certificate of appreciation. See our 2022-23 Spirit of BG Award winners.