WSU Research > Achievements > WSU Research Admin Awards

WSU Research Admin Awards

The purpose of these Awards is for the Office of Research and Finance and Administration to recognize current and former WSU employees (pre-award, post-award, faculty, department staff, other central WSU unit staff, graduate students, etc.) who have provided outstanding service and meritorious contributions to the field. The three award categories are:

Service Recognition Award

Service is defined as an individual who has performed their grant and contract administration responsibilities outstandingly above and beyond the expected or required performance within his/her work unit or area.

Contribution Recognition Award

Contribution is defined as an individual or a group whose meritorious efforts have made a unique difference on the Washington State University system, locally, regionally, nationally and/or internationally in the field of grant and contract administration.

Pioneer Recognition Award

Pioneer is defined as an individual or a group whose meritorious efforts have made a unique difference with a far reaching, significant and influential impact on the Washington State University system, locally, regionally, nationally and/or internationally in the field of grant and contract administration.

  • Elizabeth “Becky” James (2022)
  • Suzanne Hamada (2021)
  • Lynda Olin (2021)

  • Denise Crossler (2021)
  • Modernization Grants Team: Christine Galbreath, Ty Simanson, Carrie Johnston (2021)

  • Paul G. Allen SGAH Administrative Team (2019)
  • James J. Wills (2013)

  • Colin Gulbrandsen (2020)
  • Marnie Rogers (2020)
  • Tom Busch (2019)
  • Christopher Cree (2019)
  • Ariana Evensen (2019)
  • Matt Michener (2018)
  • Savannah Tiedeman (2018)
  • Amanda Yager (2018)
  • Susan Lewis (2013)
  • Jeanne Jensen (2009)
  • Debbie Brudie (2009)
  • John Anderson (2008)
  • Esther Tate (2007)
  • Rebecca Morton (2007)
  • Cathleen Fabich (2006)
  • Margaret (Peggy) Bowe (2006)

  • Becky Griswold (2020)
  • Jessica Smith-Kaprosy (2020)
  • Susan Cao (2019)
  • Mary Cody (2019)
  • Emilie Cousins (2018)
  • Bev Rhoades (2018)
  • Ty Simanson (2018)
  • Margaret (Peggy) Bowe (2013)
  • Deborah (Deb) Cox (2013)
  • Andrea Comley (2009)
  • Mary Weitz (2008)
  • Lisa Blumenshein (2008)
  • Karin Neuenschwander (2008)
  • Laura Kramer (2008)
  • Nancy Shrope (2007)
  • Dan Nordquist (2007)
  • Marilyn Burns (2006)
  • John Tarnai (2006)

  • Dan Nordquist (2007)
  • Monte Sutton (2007)
  • Andrea Comley (2007)

Criteria for Awards

Service Recognition Award criteria: 

• shown initiative to remain abreast of current trends, regulations and changes in the field;
• evidence of continuing and long-term service to grant and contract administration;
• proven customer service (no matter who the customer is) that is valued by the faculty for their assistance;
• exhibited effective communication and interpersonal skills;
• demonstrated accuracy, efficiency, prioritizing and/or multitasking abilities;
• exemplified positive attitude, collegiality, willing cooperation, work ethic and/or dependability;
• incentive for continuing knowledge of work unit/area and/or valued by the faculty for their knowledge;
• completed continuing training (i.e., completed the Research Administration Series; proposal budget certified);
• proven record (i.e., no audit findings) of understanding compliance regulations; and /or
• developed collaborative relationships between their work unit/area and central administration.

Contribution Recognition Award criteria: 

• development and implementation of a program that has enhanced grant and contract administration;
• presented workshops/seminars/classes for WSU (or other institutions) on some aspect of the field;
• served on university committees furthering research/sponsored project activities;
• made contributions that have improved the efficiencies and/or streamlined processes for better serving grant and contract administrators, faculty, work units/areas and/or central administration efforts;
• developed collaborative relationships between work units/areas, central administration and /or external funding agencies that have contributed toward the better reputation of the university as a whole;
• performed service to a professional organization (i.e., WACUBO, NCURA, SRA, NAFSA, or equivalent); and/or
• publication of article(s) in the field.

Pioneer Recognition Award criteria: 

• launched or initiated a novel approach that was significant to grant and contract administration;
• developed and implemented an innovation program that has enhanced grant and contract administration
• introduced an idea that had a direct impact on the collaborative working relationships between departmental, pre- and post-award and central administration grant and contract administrators; and /or
• produced a positive, creative atmosphere through forward thinking between faculty and university’s grant and contract administrators.