91影视 employees recognized for outstanding service and community connection

Grant Utter
May 13, 2026

A few days after the Class of 2026 commencement ceremony, 91影视 faculty and staff gathered for the annual OU Community Celebration luncheon, recognizing several employees for their commitment to the university and its students.聽

For the fourth year, faculty and staff submitted nominations for Excellence in Service Awards and Community Builders Awards.

Mirroring the Excellence in Teaching awards presented at commencement to two faculty members, the Excellence in Service award recognizes two staff members who consistently deliver high-quality service, often 鈥渂eyond the call of duty,鈥� and inspire others with their commitment to learning and professionalism. This year鈥檚 recipients were聽Sheila Gonzalez, director of IT, network, and systems, 补苍诲听Xavier Schwener, institutional effectiveness analyst.

The Community Builder award is presented to two individuals and two teams. The individual awards recognize one faculty and one staff member who foster cooperation and open communication, and create partnership opportunities. The team award is presented to a department, area, committee or other group that works to improve life at the university through collaboration, commitment and direct engagement in service to the community.

Associate Professor of Biology聽Lea Alford received the faculty award, and Communications Coordinator聽Valeri Cruz ’23聽received the staff award.

The Community Builder Team Award was presented to the聽Office of Advancement, with a special shout-out given to the聽Alumni Relations team. In addition to fundraising and maintaining philanthropic relationships, the Office of Advancement stewards several high-impact events throughout the year, bringing together members from across the 91影视 community. The team had a remarkable year, which included a packed house for “91影视 Out Loud,” more than 540 alumni at Alumni Weekend, and a record-breaking “OU Giving Day.” Each event demonstrated the strength and breadth of 91影视’s community bonds.

The celebration also recognized the faculty and staff who received awards earlier in the semester:

Men’s Coach of the Year:聽Kari Elliot, head coach, Men’s Cross Country
Women’s Coach of the Year:聽Jasen Jonus, head coach, Women’s Basketball
Athletic Teams of the Year:聽Men’s Golf (coached by Jim Owen, Assistant Coach Rus Rainey) and Women’s Basketball (Coached by Jasen Jonus, Assistant Coach Kat Frisby)
Champion of Inclusive Excellence (Faculty) 鈥� Krystal Ghisyawan, Ph.D.
Champion of Inclusive Excellence (Staff) 鈥撀�Ethan Hawkland
Core Instructor Award 鈥� Stephen Herschler Mattern, Ph.D.
Core Teaching Award 鈥� Jamie Iredell, Ph.D.
Donald C. Agnew Award 鈥� Marisol Zacarias
Omicron Delta Kappa Outstanding Leadership Award 鈥撀�Ansley Radosta
Omicron Delta Kappa Outstanding Staff Member Award 鈥撀�Angela Hughes
Early Career Faculty Award 鈥� Anna Ziering, Ph.D.聽补苍诲听Zack Deckner, Ph.D.
Sensei Bob Steen Faculty Humanitarian Award 鈥� Mario Chandler, Ph.D.
Lu Thomasson Garrett Award for Meritorious Teaching 鈥� Christina Price Washington
Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award 鈥� Peter J. Kower, Ph.D.

Additionally, retiring professors聽John C. Nardo and Viviana Plotnik聽were granted emeritus status for their years of dedication and service to the university.

The following employees were presented with service awards for significant work anniversaries:

5 years

Byron Kellam, Professional Counselor
Dr. Bill Shillito, Instructor of Mathematics
Dr. Rhana Gittens Wheeler, Chief Inclusive Excellence Officer and Associate Professor of Communications Studies
Dylan Whitney,聽Director of Campus Safety

10 years

Lea Alford, Associate Professor of Biology
Sandy Butler, Director of Human Resources
Caitlin Douglas 鈥�10, Sr. Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Kim Han 鈥�20, Sr. Accounts Payable Specialist
Mariel Meier, Associate Professor of Physics
Katharine Zakos,聽Associate Professor of Physics