11 Faculty and Staff Members Receive OSPREY Awards
Stockton University mascot Talon, left, and President Joe Bertolino, right, greet Brian Pluchino, director of Residential Life, after Pluchino was awarded the Staff Top Osprey award during the OSPREY Awards ceremony on May 7 in the Sports Center.
Galloway, N.J. — Eleven faculty and staff members were recognized for their impact both on and off the Stockton University campuses on May 7 at the third annual OSPREY Awards.
The awards, held in the Sports Center, are determined by a panel of staff and faculty, with nominations coming from the entire Stockton community. The awards highlight excellence in scholarship, research, university service and community impact.
“There is something powerful about being recognized not from the top down, but by the colleagues who work alongside you every day,” said Board of Trustees Chair Jose Lozano ’03. “Your peers see your heart, your hustle, and your impact in ways that no title or tenure can fully capture. To be nominated, let alone honored, is a true testament to the difference you make.”
Here is a list of the award winners:
Faculty Change Agent Award: Alysia Goyer, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and First-Year Studies
Faculty Community Engagement Award: Neil Aaronson, Professor of Physics
Faculty Innovation Award: Naz Onel, Professor of Business Administration, Marketing
Faculty Innovation Award: Daniel Ki, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Faculty Unsung Hero Award (nominated by students): David Reiser, Associate Professor of Theatre
Staff Change Agent Award: Danielle Martin, Assistant Director of Academic Advising
Staff Community Engagement Award: Dan Wright, Teaching Coordinator, Performing Arts Center
Consider It Done Administrative Professional Award: Karen Lutgen, Assistant Supervisor, Library
Pride of Stockton Award: Raymond Edwards, Crew Supervisor, Building Maintenance Workers
Staff Top Osprey: Brian Pluchino, Director of Residential Life
Staff Unsung Hero Award (nominated by students): Roland Regos, Special Assistant to the Dean of the School of Education
The awards presentation was held in conjunction with the annual Employee Recognition Day, which celebrates employee milestones ranging from 5 years to 50 years. This year more than 190 employees were recognized, including 41 retirees. This year’s theme was superheroes and featured a video by Production Services where employees were asked about their favorite superheroes and what super power they wished they had.
“Today is a day to celebrate not just the numbers, but the people that make this work possible,” said President Joe Bertolino. “All of you in this room today have made an impact, regardless of your role here. Whether in the classrooms, in our support offices, across campus, behind the scenes and on the front lines, your work supports our students and elevates our community of opportunity.”
— Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Susan Allen
