
The University strives to promote the success of faculty and staff who contribute and support the University through their daily interactions, research, and commitment to JMU. In support of the Governor's Award program, JMU has established the President's Purple Star Awards to recognize the contributions to the University made by faculty and staff. The yearly recipients receive recognition at the President’s Opening Address ceremony and a certificate commemorating the award.
About Purple Star Awards
Career Achievement: The employee nominated has a record of consistent achievement over time that has made JMU a better place to work, learn and live.
Star Duke: This award goes to the person who is committed to fostering the university’s mission with consistent excellence, going above and beyond what is expected, innovating, demonstrating significant commitment to the university and its success.
Unsung Hero: This award recognizes an employee who usually toils out of the limelight with excellence and dedication, an employee who would never seek an award or recognition but strongly deserves it.
Academic Quality - Transcending Boundaries Award: This individual or team goes beyond obstacles and artificial structures to create exemplary learning experiences. This award recognizes the value of breaking out of silos and intentionally working together. We want to emphasize that we need to go beyond what we have done in the past and beyond previously understood limits. While some boundaries are important to keep, we do not want to create and uphold obstacles that prevent students from getting the best experience possible.
Community - Creating Belonging Award: This individual or team creates spaces and a culture that celebrates all identities and makes it possible for faculty, students and staff to be their most authentic selves, collaborate, respect and serve others, and appreciate our interconnectedness. This award recognizes that belonging means you do not need to change in order to be included and celebrated; who you are matters. We acknowledge the action required to create spaces that respect and serve all identities. We value and continuously focus on how we can improve our services and experiences to make celebration and encouragement of differing identities and backgrounds a reality.
Advancing Inclusive Excellence Award: This individual or team designs intentional and inclusive practices, policies and programs in pursuit of a socially just world, and strives to create an inclusive community that values the richness of all individuals and perspectives. This award recognizes that before we can implement necessary, systemic changes for our future, we must first recognize the history - policies, practices, programs, expectations - that has contributed to our present. Though progress has undoubtedly been made in areas like college access and student success, some policies and practices may still negatively affect the holistic well-being of marginalized individuals. We value the nuanced and complex identities of individuals; and seek to improve the curricular co-curricular experiences to advance our collective well-being.
Embracing Innovation and Change Award: This individual or team demonstrates purposeful creativity through collaborative processes, leading to knowledge creation, learning and excellence. This award recognizes that we reflect on our past to innovate toward a better future. This value comes from the quote “old ways cannot open new doors”, which evolved to the idea that we need to come up with new, innovative ways to modify what we are doing and what we are trying to do in the future to have new and greater options for all. We acknowledge new ways and innovations need to come from new places and people who have not previously had voices in decisions. We recognize some of the practices, protocols and policies currently in place can be improved to be more inclusive for all. This includes shifting some of the “JMU Way” and transforming some of our traditions while also creating some new ones.
Integrity - Leading Courageously Award: This individual or team leads purposefully, intentionally, and with integrity to enact needed systemic, long-term change with the guidance and voices of all constituents. This award recognizes that as a university, we are constantly looking for ways to be better than we were yesterday for our faculty, staff and students. A level of courage and integrity is essential for these systemic changes. We want to make sure leadership includes all leadership styles, at every level, because we acknowledge that reaching these goals is not a solo job, but one that needs everyone. This award recognizes that anyone can “lead from where they are”, and (the award) should not be limited to title or positions.
Student Focus - Success & Learning Award: This individual or team engages with and actively listens to all students with their learning and development in mind, and provides experiences that challenge and support students. This award recognizes that we take our students’ needs and success into mind when thinking and providing developmental opportunities. We recognize that we cannot just make decisions based on what we think is best for students, but we must listen to what they need to find success and growth during their time at James Madison University. This award seeks to recognize those who accomplish a significant achievement that leads directly to greater student success, with a focus on student learning.
Nominations may be submitted anytime throughout the year. The lengthy nomination period provides nominators with the opportunity to submit nominations after performance evaluations are completed each fall, when employee accomplishments are still top of mind.
View the nomination guidelines and procedures.
Recipients are selected as the result of a review by the Purple Star Awards Committee, which consists of employees and leaders from across the university.
Purple Star Award recipients are honored at a the President’s Opening Address to faculty and staff.
Previous Awardees
Agency:
Lauren Allyene
Career Achievement:
David Taylor
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Karina Kline-Gabel
Customer Service:
Finance Office
Robbie Campbell
Jill Dean
Olivia Fulk
Christine Jones
Cindy Mathews
Kristi McDonnell
Danelle Ross
Barbara Shepherd
Randy Shiflet II
Sherry Willis
Innovation:
Glenn Wayland
Teamwork:
Valarie Ghant
Brent Lewis
Ritter Clevenger
Urs von Rotz
Angela Ritchie
Jonathan Stewart
Chervon Moore
DeAndre Powell
Gary Shears
Mike Derrow
Anna Campbell
Jared Combs
Sam Hottinger
John Khamphavong
Victor McManaway
Kirk Morris
Agency Star:
Residence Life
Laura Miller-Blazewicz
Hugh Brown
Holmes Browne
Michael Busch
Sam Butler
Kathleen Campbell
Stephanie Carr
Jennifer Dodson
Chris Ehrhart
Emily Higham
Jason Jones
Alicia Lamb
Mariea McNeill
Kevin Meaney
Dee Nilsen
Liz Odermatt
Dawn Ohanessian
Tripp Purks
Karen Sampson
Courtney Samuleu
Brenda Smith
Kelsey Snyder
Sam Squyars
Jon Strine
Garrett Suhr
Justin Tarbell
Jordan Todd
Stephanie Williams
Career Achievement:
Glenn Hastedt
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Lisa Porter
Customer Service:
Whitney Sajko
Sheila Smith
Innovation:
Becky Davis
Teamwork:
Office of Financial Aid
Shari Arehart
Brad Barnett
Claire Bergan
Anne Callahan
Jessica Cortes
Steven Cox
Brandon Crenshaw
Andrea Dyjak
Rick Gardner
Judy Hensley
Jessica Hopkins
Brice Hostetler
Ashley James
Brooklyn Kier
Christi Knight
Colleen McAvoy
Donna Marie McMillian
Susan Moyers
Adrianna Penn
John Michael Schott
Klaudia Sheffer
Timley Simmons
Shana Smith
Amber Weaver-Shifflett
Workplace Safety and Health:
Olivia Hale
Jon Leonard
Agency Star:
Andy Guertler
Kristina Blyer
Career Achievement:
Marilou Johnson
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Covid PPE Response Team
Carlson Jenkins
Kevin Hegg
Eric Stauffer
Amy Russel Yun
Dave Wang
Kathleen Conery
Laura Atkins
Laura Lambert
Rebecca Field
Jordan Brink
Jamie Calcagno-Roach
Gover Saunders
Dan Easley
Art Pekun
Kirsten Mlodynia
Laura Taalman
Adrienne Hooker
Customer Service:
Admissions Office
Freshman/Transfer Recruitment
Visitation Team
Telephone Reception/Correspondence Team
Application Processing Team
Admissions
Innovation:
University Recreation
Teamwork:
Libraries
Center for Faculty Innovation
Office of Disability Services
Information Technology
Workplace Safety and Health:
Housekeeping
Frankie Lucas
Carolyn Armentrout
Chrissy Estep
Cynthia Harris
Diana Taylor
Heather Baker
Kay Lam
Kim Collier
Debbie Morris
Vickie Raynes
Yolanda Morris
Melissa Gaylor
Russell Gambino
Tiffany Mayhew
Holley Carter
Bryan Falls
Steven Brubaker
Terry Lindsey
Agency Star:
RJ Ohgran
Career Achievement:
David Onestak
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Jennifer Taylor
Customer Service:
Print Services Team
Heather Wilharm
Lisa Rhodes
Connie Fulk
Sherry Brooks
Laurie Brinkley
Innovation:
Williams Yates
Teamwork:
Green Dot Campaign
Lorie Miller
Holly Bailey
Destiny Savage
Elizabeth Chenevey
Sarah Blackstone
Jamie Williams
Jessica Weed
Tiffany Brutus
David Chew
Jennifer Principe
Megan Driver
Misty Newman
Jacqueline Hieber
Arianna Sessoms
Jordan McCann
Paige Hawkins
Angela Ritchie
Ann Simmons
Workplace Safety & Health
Matthew Lovesky
Agency Star:
Debbie Pine
Career Achievement:
Sharon Gasser
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Carlos Aleman
Customer Service:
Kimberly McGivern
Innovation:
Nick Swayne
Teamwork:
Human Resources Benefits Team
Julie Byers
Tiffany French
Gina Holloway
Raven King
Kristi Moon
Tara Roe
Meghan Schaeffer
Workplace Safety and Health:
University Health Center
Kristina Blyer
Deborah Darrell
Halea Fansler-Rexrode
Betsy Gentry
Dr. Andrew Guertler
Brandon Hereford
Morgan Keplinger
Kristin Kirwan
Katy MacDonald
Barbara Mahaffey
Jordan McCann
Lisa Mongold
Angela Ritchie
Becky Schaeffer
Arianna Sessoms
Julie Shiflet
Katelyn Shiflet
Ann Simmons
Dr. Lee Ward
Anna Wyse
Agency Star:
Dawn Knight
Career Achievement:
Joe Urgo
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Delo Blough
Customer Service:
Jill Staley Wade
Innovation:
Joan Fahrney
Teamwork:
East Campus Power Plant
Steven MacRae
Kenny Stickley
Thomas Burkholder
Aaron Carper
Cody Warlitner
Deland Morris
Alfred Miller
Randal Alger
Mark Hess
Steve Rains
Glen Smith
Brian Moshier
Reginald Lawson
Homer Whetzel
Dennis Hart
Workplace Safety and Health:
Dr. Mary Thompson
Agency Star:
Frank Lucas Jr.
Career Achievement:
Rich Harris
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Pete DeSmit
Customer Service:
Julie Byers
Innovation:
Jon Jarvis
Teamwork:
JMU Transfer Team
Adam Anderson
Regina Admas
Jennifer Jackson
Kate McDaniel
Shannon Mercer
Laika Tamney
Workplace Safety and Health:
Seth Arnold
Agency Star:
Karen Gerard
Career Achievement:
Joan Houff
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Sgt. Rodney McCarter
Customer Service:
Darlene Quackenbush
Innovation:
Bill Hartman
Teamwork:
Kevin Carnago
Workplace Safety and Health:
Marcella Mullenax
Agency Star:
Debbie Pine
Career Achievement:
Nina Stenby-Hurst
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Gerri Rigney
Customer Service:
Laura Brinkley
Innovation:
Alvin Chao
Teamwork:
Kara Kiblinger
Kelly Miller-Martin
Elizabeth Thompson
Workplace Safety and Health:
Ronald Phillips
Environmental Stewardship:
Holmes Browne
Career Achievement:
Judy Anderson
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Tracy Hakala
Amy Sirocky-Meck
Customer Service:
Diana Little
Teamwork:
Carrier Library Cataloging Team
Judy Anderson
Mark Purington
Debbie Ryman
Cindi Sandridge
Darlene Newman
Joan Bowlen (Honorable Mention)
Glenn Huffman (Honorable Mention))
Workplace Safety and Health:
Brett Sinclair
Agency Star:
Robert Reid
Career Achievement:
---
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Charles Blake
Customer Service:
Wanda Layman
Innovation:
Anna Lynn Bell
Alvin Chao
Susan Reid
Teamwork:
Leslie Beam
Courtney Hidges
Sheila Hopkins
Wesley Elyard
Workplace Safety and Health:
Leslie Bellavance
Agency Star:
Chris Gatesman
Michael Walsh
Career Achievement:
Jackie Ciccone
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Anne Stewart
Customer Service:
Julie Love
Innovation:
Rick Orebaugh
Teamwork:
Media Resources Technology Team
Vince Drumheller
Doug Gimbert
Jeff Roadcap
Olen Siron
James West
Jackie Woolf
Agency Star:
Dr. Newell Wright
Career Achievement:
Fred Hilton
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Pete DeSmit
Customer Service:
Betty Reedy
Innovation:
Interprofessional Services for Learning Assessment
Dr. Tim Schutle
Teamwork:
The Science and Mathematics Learning Center Coordinators and Tutors
Workplace Safety and Health:
Dennis Hart
Agency Star:
Jennifer McCabe
Career Achievement:
David Taylor
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Don Hobbs
Bill Baker
Frank Viscomi
Albert Buracker
Ronnie Rhodes
Sidney Monroe
Daniel King
Gregg Chevalier
Ken Fox
Jeff Smallwood
John Ventura
Frankie Lucas
Customer Service:
Diane Puffenbarger
Innovation:
Rinn Siegrist
Teamwork:
Jane Beach
Tyra Berger
Cathy Goldsborough
Diane Nash
Workplace Safety and Health:
Heather Armstrong
Agency Star:
----
Career Achievement:
Shirley Cobb
Community Service and Volunteerism:
Suzanne Vance
Customer Service:
Phyllis Funkhouser
Innovation:
---
Teamwork:
Summer Orientation Registration Working Group
Violet Allain
Anna Lynn Bell
Jill Card
Steve Grande
Linda Halpern
Rene Harrell
Sherry Hood
Lisa Kiracofe
Catherine Mahoney
Joe Manning
Trisha McCoy
Karyn Sproles
Lee Ward
Michele White