Faculty & Staff Recognition

We proudly honor the faculty and staff who inspire and support our campus community.

2025 Recognition Event

Thursday, February 21, 2025
8:30 - 11:00 am
University Union Ballroom

Snow Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025

More details coming soon!

Event Questions and Answers

My work anniversary was over a year ago, why am i just getting my award?

At Towson University, we calculate milestone service years for eligible faculty and staff that have completed their 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, etc. years of service beginning January 1 through December 31 of their respective milestone year.

Celebrating the Faculty and Staff Annual Recognition Event after December 31 allows recipients to complete their milestone and receive their award in the early spring of the following year.

This also allows time for the facilitation of gift ordering, certificate printing, as well as, the planning of the breakfast and ceremony for the large number of recipients, campus leaders, and guests.

Is the Recognition Event a ticketed event?

All award recipients and non-recipients need a ticket to attend. Tickets are not available at the door.

Award recipients with 5 - 25 years of service receive one complimentary ticket to attend the event.
Recipients with 30 years of service or more receive two complimentary tickets; one for them and one for a guest.

General Campus (Faculty and Staff only) will receive an invitation through their TU email address.
Space is limited and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to individuals being recognized. To guarantee seating, please RSVP as soon as possible.

Once the event sells out, tickets will no longer be available.

Will food be available at the event?

Yes, The menu for the breakfast typically includes assorted pastries and baked goods, fruit, eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, and French toast, as well as a selection of beverages. Dietary needs can be accommodated upon request when you RSVP.

Where should I park for the event?

Towsontown Parking Garage or Union Garage

Have other questions?

Contact Office of Human Resources Customer Service, HRTU AT_TOWSON or 410-704-2162.

USM Board of Regents Awards

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Faculty and Staff Awards represent the highest honor presented by the Board of Regents. Each year, selection committees at TU solicit, review and steward qualifying nominations, then forward recommendations to the president for consideration. TU finalists are submitted to the USM for final selection. The process for staff and faculty awards operate on different schedules throughout the year. USM announces staff award recipients in July and faculty award recipients in March.

2024 Service Awards - Coming Soon

2023 Service Awards

The Service Awards honor faculty and staff that have completed 5-year increments of service to the university during each preceding calendar year. In 2023, there were 324 Service Award recipients celebrating 5 to 45 years of service.

2023 Service Award Recipients

45 Years

Anthony Bland, Facilities Management

40 Years

Teri Cromwell, Office of Technology Services
Stephanie Faison, College of Liberal Arts

35 Years

Mostafa Aminzadeh, College of Science & Mathematics
Vicki Cohen, Enrollment Management
Thomas Harris, Enrollment Management
Ronn Pineo, College of Liberal Arts
Sara Sides, Enrollment Management

30 Years

Lisa Costello, Athletics
Soheila Fardanesh, College of Business & Economics
Lori Frantz, Auxiliary Services
Judith Isaacs, College of Fine Arts & Communication
Leslie Lewis, Auxiliary Services
Tonia Matthews, College of Fine Arts & Communication
Jay A. Nelson, College of Science & Mathematics
Sharma Pillutla, College of Business & Economics

25 Years

Bernard Allen, Office of Technology Services
Patricia Burke, Office of Technology Services
Walter Carter, Facilities Management
Andrew Cline, Public Safety
D. Brett Collins, Auxiliary Operations
Pamela Edwards Mathias, Campus Life
Sharon Glennen, College of Health Professions
Wayne Hart, Research & Consulting
Brian Hendricks, Office of Technology Services
Marion Hughes, College of Liberal Arts
Yanggon Kim, College of Science & Mathematics
Scott Luebben, Facilities Management
Linda Makowske, Financial Affairs
Audra McMullen, College of Fine Arts & Communication
William Murphy, Facilities Management
Hubert W. Nelson, College of Health Professions
Michael O Leary, College of Science & Mathematics
Robyn Quick, College of Fine Arts & Communication
Mary Ranadive, Library
Nicole Risser, College of Liberal Arts
Gordean Sanders, Office of Technology Services
Kim Shifren, College of Liberal Arts
Erik Silldorff, College of Science & Mathematics
Jay Taffel, Office of Technology Services
Matthew Tewey, Public Safety
Clayton Woods, Facilities Management

20 Years

Gail Brickman, College of Science & Mathematics
Christopher Cain, College of Liberal Arts
Matthew Chambers, Office of the Provost
Yvonne Eder, College of Science & Mathematics
Elizabeth Kelly Gray, College of Liberal Arts
Ilene Grodzinsky, College of Education
Ge Han, College of Science & Mathematics
Patrick Hyde, Facilities Management
Kimberly Katz, College of Liberal Arts
Kwangmi Kim, College of Fine Arts & Communication
Todd Moyer, College of Science & Mathematics
Daniel Mydlack, College of Fine Arts & Communication
James Otto, College of Business & Economics
Mark Profili, College of Science & Mathematics
Colleen Winters, College of Science & Mathematics

15 Years

10 Years

5 Years

Marilyn Dannenfelser Staff Award

The Marilyn Dannenfelser Staff Award is presented to a member of the TU administrative staff who personifies the outstanding personal and professional qualities of the late Marilyn Dannenfelser. Her daughter Kim Dannenfelser established the award to memorialize her mother and her contributions to TU. During Mrs. Dannenfelser’s 46-year career at TU she served as an executive assistant to six presidents. She was well regarded and is remembered for her tact, diplomacy, and patient demeanor.

Current Administrative Assistants and Executive Administrative Assistants are nominated by their supervisors and a recipient is chosen by a selection committee.

The 2023 winner of the Marilyn Dannenfelser award is:

Reneé Watkins, Administrative Assistant II, Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences (PAGS)

Reneé Watkins has been an Administrative Assistant II in the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences (PAGS) for the past 13 years. Reneé’s amazing competence, warm personality, and unflappable kindness and courtesy make her a calming presence and a morale booster in the Department. Renee’s extensive administrative experience, in-depth institutional knowledge and overall positive demeanor greatly assisted the newly appointed Department Chair with her transition into the role, making the acclimation and orientation to PAGS that much easier and relatively seamless. Renee is a true “people person,” taking pride in welcoming new students, onboarding staff and faculty to the TU PAGS community, training and developing other administrative and operational professionals, while also maintaining strong connections with Department retirees. Her skillful communication, emotional intelligence and sage advice often turn strangers into friends. Beyond her professional competencies and endearing personal qualities, Renee’ was described by her colleagues in PAGS as, “… both the rock that we depend on and the gravitational force that holds us together… Renee’ is a star!” Thank you, Renee’, for your contributions and service to TU!

Diversity and Inclusion Awards

The University Diversity and Inclusion Awards recognize individuals and departments that foster greater awareness, understanding and advancement of diversity and inclusiveness at Towson University. For more information on the Diversity and Inclusion Awards please visit OIIE's University Diversity & Inclusion Awards webpage.