For the first time, the President’s Awards for Employee Excellence united Cornell employees across time zones and continents, as staff gathered in the Statler Ballroom and tuned in from New York City and Qatar to celebrate the achievements and contributions of their colleagues. 

More than 75 employees were honored in this year’s ceremony on Dec. 3, representing Cornell’s Ithaca campus as well as Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. This year also marked the first time nominations were open to all three campuses.

“Expanding nominations across Cornell’s various campuses demonstrates our commitment to being One Cornell and strengthening a unified culture of excellence across the university’s global footprint,” said Christine Lovely, vice president and chief human resources officer, as she welcomed more than 250 attendees worldwide. “What makes these awards so meaningful is how closely they reflect Cornell’s core values and priorities. They remind us that the achievements of our institution are only possible through the contributions of our staff.” 

A chef who crafts recipes honoring the cultural heritage of the community employees advancing agricultural research in campus greenhouses and staff driving innovation in medicine and patient care were among those highlighted during the ceremony.

Established in 2011, the program was created to recognize staff and faculty who excel in their roles, demonstrating exceptional skill, dedication and impact. This year, it received 296 unique nominations across eight categories – nearly double the number from last year, reflecting both broader participation and deep appreciation for colleagues’ work.

“Each nomination is a recognition of the care and contribution our employees bring to Cornell every single day,” said President Michael I. Kotlikoff. “Your nominations – and this event – are a way of elevating our shared commitment to making Cornell a meaningful and rewarding place to work… All of our nominees contribute not only through their own actions, but by being a role model for those around them, elevating the culture and strengthening our community here at Cornell.”

The awards and winners: 

The Culture of Belonging Award, for creating and supporting an open, inclusive, welcoming and equitable workplace environment:

• Joseph Lyons, director of campaign management, Alumni Affairs and Development
• Tina Coyne, assistant director of the LGBT Resource Center, Student and Campus Life
• Jennifer Herrell, clinical practice specialist, Weill Cornell Medicine

The Game Changer Award, for developing or implementing a new approach:

• Joshua Holden, senior chef, Cornell Dining
• Anya Knoblock, associate director of finance and administration, Weill Cornell Medicine
• Chris Lastovicka, assistant director of digital strategy, Cornell Engineering

The Culture of Sustainability Award, for making contributions to the sustainable development and social equity of the Cornell campus:

• John Putnam, greenhouse grower, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Carolina Trujillo, senior research associate in microbiology and immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine
• Deirdre Kelleher, associate professor of anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine

The Thoughtful Leader Award, for bringing out the best in others:

• Amy Lyndaker, lab manager, BRC epigenomics facility, Research and Innovation
• Jason Martin-Williams, senior practice supervisor, Weill Cornell Medicine
• Eileen Sheil, assistant vice provost for communications and public affairs, Weill Cornell Medicine

The Mission-Possible Award, for supporting the university’s core mission to learning, discovery and engagement:

• Dave Combs, research support specialist, CALS
• Stephen Hunt, director of research and business management, Weill Cornell Medicine
• Ann Rose Awayan, administrative assistant, Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar

The ONE Cornell Award, for a group that implements a project or solves a problem to positively impact Cornell and the community:

• Cornell Health Impacts Core team, College of Veterinary Medicine
• Digital Experience, Media Relations, News, Strategic Communications and Visual Communications teams, University Relations
• Continuing Professional Development team, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar
• Phenom Project team, Human Resources

The Health Promoting Campus Award, for embodying the tagline of the Okanagan Charter, “People, Places and Planet”:

• Abigail Dubovi, director of strategic planning and analysis, Cornell Health
• The Institute for Population Health team, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar
• Charles “Steve” Nisbet, CopeNYP senior clinician, Weill Cornell Medicine

The Trustee Award, for overall excellence:

• Brynn Wilkins, assistant director of creative content, CALS
• Jamal Lopez, executive director in the Office of Professionalism and Faculty Development, Weill Cornell Medicine
• Christopher Payne, senior director for administrative services, Cornell Health

Grace DePaull is communications assistant in the Department of Inclusion and Belonging in the Division of Human Resources.