Decades of dedication honored at 2026 Service Recognition Awards

James Madison University recognized 503 employees for their commitment and contributions during the annual Faculty Service Awards on Oct. 13 and the Staff and Administrative and Professional Faculty Service Awards on Oct. 14 in the Festival Grand Ballroom.  

The two-day celebration marked the 54th year JMU has honored employee service milestones. Faculty, staff, and administrative and professional faculty members are recognized in five-year increments beginning with five years of service.  

Two employees reached the 40-year milestone: Charles Baugher, technical instructor and graphic designer in Libraries, and David Owusu-Ansah, executive director of Access & Educational Outreach and professor of history.  

Five employees were honored for 35 years of service:

• Annette Federico, professor of English
• Lisa Kiracofe, assistant director, IT information systems
• Geoff Polglase, deputy director of athletics and chief athletics operations officer
• Danielle Torisky, professor of health professions
• Brenda Wilkinson, administrative assistant, Mathematics & Statistics

The university also recognized 22 employees who have served JMU for 30 years:

• Adam Anderson, director of recruitment, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Jose Barrio-Olano, professor, world languages and cultures
• Roya Behnam, work control specialist, telecommunications
• Peter Bsumek, professor, School of Communication Studies
• Michele Butcher, director of interlibrary loan and course reserves, Libraries
• Michael Busing, dean, College of Business
• David Cottrell, professor, School of Music
• Art Dean, associate vice president, Access, Compliance & Engagement
• Kevin Hegg, head of digital scholarship, Libraries
• Stephen Henderson, director of athletics eligibility and enrollment, Athletics
• Louis Hedrick, director of institutional reporting, Planning, Analytics & Institutional Research
• Louise Hummel, housekeeping team leader, Housekeeping
• Don Lohr, identity management engineer, IT Security
• Gina MacDonald, professor, chemistry and biochemistry
• Jonathan Miles, professor, School of Integrated Sciences
• Crystal Miller, information systems application security analyst, IT Information Systems
• Stephany Plecker, director, Language Resource Center
• Gary Shears, executive director of facilities and construction, Facilities Management Administration
• Gregory Spitzer, head of systems and operations, Libraries
• Diane Stamp, associate vice president, Office of Budget Management
• Robert Walters, administrative faculty, biology
• William Yates, director, University Parking Services

In addition, JMU recognized 55 employees for 25 years of service, 71 for 20 years, 74 for 15 years, 120 for 10 years and 154 for five years.  

Collectively, the honorees represent decades of service that have helped advance the university's mission and support generations of students, faculty and staff.