Eastern Kentucky University will be excellent in all that we choose to do. We are blessed with faculty and staff who do exceptional work. The President’s Excellence Awards will recognize employees who go above and beyond in their work to make EKU excellent. A winner and two finalists will be selected for each award. The winner will receive an award and $2,500.
All non-probationary, non-temporary, full-time, and part-time faculty and staff employees of EKU are eligible. Any applicant must be in good standing at the time of nomination. Previous President’s Excellence Award winners may be considered if a minimum of five years has passed since receiving the original award.
Nominations are reviewed by the President’s Excellence Awards Committee, consisting of members of the President’s Cabinet who are not eligible for the awards.
Awards Criteria
- Excellence in Leadership
- Excellence in Engagement
- Excellence in Hospitality
- Excellence in Philanthropy
- Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
- Excellence in Innovation
2023 President’s Excellence Awards
The reception for the 2023 President’s Excellence Awards was held on April 26, 2023 at the EKU Center for the Arts. In addition to the recognition of winners and finalists, EKU milestone employees who have served 25 or more years were recognized.
Finalists and Winners
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
Britany Guerrero
Grant Stepp
Dr. Socorro Zaragoza – winner
Excellence in Engagement
Terry Gray – winner
Jesse Hood
Starr Wentzel
Excellence in Hospitality
Leah Banks
Matt Collins
Ryan Fisher – winner
Finalists and Winners
Excellence in Innovation
Dr. Matt Schumacher
Jeremy Watson
Jennifer White – winner
Excellence in Leadership
Dan Hendrickson – winner
Dr. Bryan Makinen
Krista Rhodus
Excellence in Philanthropy
Kim Chitwood
Jim Johns
John Strada – winner
2022 President's Excellence Award Winners and Finalists
The reception for the inaugural President’s Excellence Awards was held on April 27, 2022 at the EKU Center for the Arts. In addition to the recognition of winners and finalists, EKU milestone employees who have served 25 or more years were recognized.
Finalists and Winners
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
Dr. Ogechi Anyanwu
Dr. Theresa Botts – winner
Nikki Hart
Excellence in Engagement
Tiffany Hamblin – winner
Karen Peavler
Donald Swinegar
Excellence in Hospitality
Dr. Rachael Hovermale
Jennifer McKnight
Mary Miller – winner
Excellence in Innovation
Chad Adkins – winner
Jana Mayer
Michael Wooten
Excellence in Leadership
Jeff Carrico
Carrie Ernst – winner
Emily Watters
Excellence in Philanthropy
Jackie Couture
Emily Jo Davis – winner
Dr. Jonathan Gore