University Recognition Awards Message of Congratulations

See the messages of congratulations friends and colleagues have shared about the 2021 University Recognition Awards honorees.

SHANTANU BHATT

"Dr. Bhatt, I wanted to congratulate you on your Faculty Merit Award. It was a joy working with you over the summer in development of wellness session for the BEAGLE early arrival program. Your approach embodies what it means to "care for the whole person".” - Ashley Lillie, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Support

Catherine Bock

"Congrats, Cat, on this well deserved award! You have remained a steady and valuable HR partner to the Budget Office during this challenging year. Looking forward to working with you in the new year!” – Barbara Byrne, Senior Budget Analyst, Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration

"Cat, congrats on your well-deserved honor.” – Kelly Welsh '05 (M.A.), Executive Director of Communications, Office of Marketing and Communications

Eileen Bevilacqua

"Congrats and thank you for your leadership, planning, and health care contributions towards the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. You made this on-campus experience possible for all of us.” – Jason Massey, Construction Project Manager

"Congratulations on the Staff Merit Award!” - Marie Maneu, Adjunct Professor

"Eileen - congratulations on your Merit award. I truly cannot name one individual at this institution that deserves this award more than you. You have weathered a truly unimaginable health crisis. You calm and well rounded approach has kept me personally and professionally rooted in the science. Well done, Eileen. We are so fortunate to have you leading the charge here at Hawk Hill.” - Ashley Lillie, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Support

"Congrats Eileen on your achievement! Well deserved:)” – Ericka Simmons, Administrative Assistant, Student Health Center

Catherine Bock

"Congratulations Cat on receiving a Merit Award! Your dedication to the University shows in the effort and care you put into all you do!” – Amanda Sciarra, Director of Application Services, Office of Information Technology

"Congratulations on the Staff Merit Award!” - Marie Maneu, Adjunct Professor

"This is a very big deal. And your service alongside Kiersten and many others has made all the difference in controlling the virus on campus and providing leadership for the team. thanks for including myself and so many other committed souls to the cause. Congratulations Cat, well deserved. (nice to put on the resume too!)” – Gary Sloan

Jessica Moran Buckridge

"Congratulations on well deserved recognition!” – Eileen Bevilacqua, RN, BSN, Director, Registered Nurse

"Jess, congratulations on your Staff Merit award. You have always served as a role model for me, professionally and personally. I believe it is safe to say that this was easily the most challenging situation you could be dealt as a Director of Residence Life. You have handled it with grace and servant leadership which has always prioritized the safety of our students and your staff. Thank you, for once again, teaching me how to lead in circumstances that are truly out of our control. -” - Ashley Lillie, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Support

JANÉE BURKHALTER

"Congratulations on your award! Through the various committees we have served on together, I have seen your commitment to our students and greater campus community. Your approach has assisted in my growth as a professional, encouraging me to see the big picture more clearly. Thank you for being an outstanding role model.” - Ashley Lillie, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Support

"Congratulations, Dr. Burkhalter! Well deserved! Happy to see you recognized in this way.” – Sarah F. Quinn '89, '09, MBA, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Office of the President

Mary Dougherty

"Congratulations on ten years! It has been so much fun working with you! Here is to ten more!” – Michael Rath, Director of Saint Joseph's Fund, Advancement

Deborah Dyer

"Debbie, it is no surprise that you were chosen for the Special Initiative award. There is no better problem solver at Saint Joseph's University. Our students and families are so fortunate to have your calming voice on the other end of the phone. I appreciate all you have done for me both personally and professionally. I am forever grateful for having worked with you! ” - Ashley Lillie, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Support

"Congratulations Deb!!! This award is well deserved, you are such a dedicated employee always ensuring the best outcome for students and their families.” – Pat Gregg, Disability Support Specialist

"Congratulation Deb! Thank you for being a great support to our students and parents over years. You are turly an asset to this university.” – Michelle Smith-Lewis, Sr. Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Student Life & Associate Provost

Ben Ellis

"Congrats Ben! I didn't know you were here 20 years, good for you! It has been great working with you!” – Patricia Esnouf, Administrative Assistant, Office of Mission

William Endrizzi

"Congratulations on your 30 years of service. I'm so pleased I had the opportunity to work with you this year.” - Debra Mizia, Assistant Director of Life Safety Systems and Work Order Management

Patricia Esnouf

"Congratulations Patty on 20 years of service at SJU! Amazing! Thanks for being such an important staple in the SJU community for two decades!” – Theresa Kennedy Palmisano, Program Administrator & Recruitment Coordinator, ACESJU

Jennifer Falcon

"Hearty congrats on two decades at St. Joe's! I have many fond memories of working together and hope we can share many more.” – Kelly Welsh '05, Executive Director of Communications, Office of Marketing and Communications

Nancy Fox

"Mazel Tov on your Faculty Teaching Award!” – Michael Schwartz, Senior Administrative Assistant II, Alumni Relations

Elizabeth Gallagher

"Congratulations, Elizabeth, on your commitment to the teaching profession in urban Catholic schools over the last 10 years. Visiting classrooms weekly and coaching new teachers during the challenges of the pandemic cannot be underestimated. Clearly you are committed to serving the underserved, motivated by love and concern. God bless!” – Gerri Burton

"A true Celtic Anam Cara who tenderly cares about everyone she meets.” – Elizabeth Kane

"Liz, Congratulations on being honored with the SJU Justice award. Not only well deserved for your ACE efforts , but a thank you, and recognition of taking on additional duties in the Clinical office working with mentors .” – Jim Osborne, Director of Clinical Experiences

"Congratulations Elizabeth! A well-deserved award for a very unique year in Catholic education!” – Theresa Kennedy Palmisano, Program Administrator & Recruitment Coordinator, ACESJU

Maria Kokol

"Congrats and thank you for everything you have done for the students and helping to keep our campus healthy and safe." – Jason Massey, Construction Project Manager

"Congratulations Maria!! You are the Best and so deserve this award:)” – Ericka Simmons, Administrative Assistant, Student Health Center

George Latella

"Congratulations on your well-earned teaching award!” – Stephen Porth, Professor of Management

"Congratulations on your Merit Award! Well deserved for all you do for the students and the Cochran Program. Glad to be a colleague with you.” – Janna Trout

Marian McGee

"Congratulations on two decades of service at SJU, Marian! We are all the better for your presence and I am especially grateful for the high level of excellent service you provide to our students and their families, and the genuine care and concern you exhibit to all of your colleagues, day in and day out. You are truly appreciated and we are blessed to have you as part of our Financial Aid Team!” – Liz Rihl Lewinsky, Director of Financial Aid, Enrollment Management

Deborah Mizia

"Congratulations Deb! You earned this recognition. Thank you for taking care of all of us with your poise with grace. You are the Guardian Angel of SJU” – Georgette Caplan, Administrative Assistant

"Well deserved Congrats!!” – Lizanne Konjarvich, Administrative Assistant, Biology and Chemistry

"Deb, congratulations on your Staff Merit award. You have always been such a positive light, a calm voice of reassurance and all around the person I go to when I needed to "get things done". Thank you for making so many parts of my role at SJU easy. I am so grateful for the chance to work with you. ” - Ashley Lillie, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Support

"Congrats, and thanks for everything you do.” – Jason Massey, Construction Project Manager

Michael Schwartz

"Michael, you make Hawk Hill a better place with your wit, enthusiasm and team spirit! Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition.” – Meghan Burk ’05 (M.S.), Associate Director, Center for Addiction and Recovery Education, Advancement

"Congratulations and thank you Michael for all that you've done this year to support specifically the young alumni program and more broadly alumni and SJ Fund efforts!” – Tom Chaves, Associate Vice President of Advancement Operations, Advancement

"Congrats Michael! Thanks for all you do to support our alumni and team!” – Tina Hennessey '19 (MBA), Associate Director of Alumni Networks, Advancement

"Michael, you truly deserve this award! Thank you for always having such a positive attitude and for growing so quickly in your new role. Here's to many more successes!” – Michael Rath, Director of Saint Joseph's Fund, Advancement

"Michael - congratulations on your award! You are such a valuable team member and asset to the Advancement Division. Plus you are just such a pleasure to work with everyday - this is well deserved!!” – Maura Slatowski ’19 (M.S.), Associate Director of Saint Joseph's Fund, Advancement

"Michael, I'm thrilled to see you recognized for your impact on The National Alumni Board and the overall alumni population. You make things happen, get things done, and inspire us with your postive energy.” –Frank Sharp ’67, President, SJU National Alumni Board

"Hi Michael. Congratulations on your honor!” – Kelly Welsh '05 (M.A.), Executive Director of Communications, Office of Marketing and Communications

Elaine Shenk

"Elaine, Many congratulations on your amazing work and contribution to SJU. And, thank you!!” – Isra Yazicioglu, Associate Professor, Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Katie Shields

"What an impressive milestone! Congrats!” – Michael Rath, Director of Saint Joseph's Fund, Advancement

"Congrats on 30 years as an employee at SJU Katie. You are one of the most dedicated and passionate colleagues and alumnae that I know - and you've kept the love going as your children followed your great example. Here's to many more years on Hawk Hill!” – Maura Slatowski ’19 (M.S.), Associate Director of Saint Joseph's Fund, Advancement

Jose Torres

"Congratulations on your 20 years of service to the university. I'm so happy I had the opportunity to work with you this year!” - Debra Mizia, Assistant Director of Life Safety Systems and Work Order Management

Stephanie Tryce

"Dr. Tryce, congratulations on your award. I am not surprised to see you have been recognized for all of the amazing work you do. I learned so much from you during our time together on the iCARE working group and our smaller iCARE commitment working group. Thank you for continuing to open the minds of our students and colleagues a like. Your work contributes to their ability to go forth and set the world on fire.” - Ashley Lillie, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Support

"Congratulations on your award, Dr. Tryce! Well deserved and so happy to see you recognized in this way.” – Sarah F. Quinn '89, '09, MBA, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Office of the President

Kelly Welsh

"Kelly, Congratulations on celebrating 20 amazing years at Saint Joseph's University. Your impact has reached far across the University and into the lives of our students and your colleagues. Congrats!” – Gail Benner, Interim Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Director of PR and Media, Office of Marketing and Communications

"Kelly, Congratulations on such a great achievement! Since my arrival, you’ve been a wonderful colleague and working with you is an absolute pleasure!” - Seth Kovanic, Director of Digital Marketing, Office of Marketing and Communications

"Congratulations Kelly!! It has been a pleasure working with you on many projects over the years. I look forward to many more!!” – Beth Moran, Senior Administrative Assistant II, Office of the Provost

"Congratulations on this amazing milestone! It has been such a joy working with you, though it's only been for 10% of your time here :)” – Michael Rath, Director of Saint Joseph's Fund, Advancement

"Kelly, Congrats on your major award! It's been a pleasure working with, learning from and making bad jokes with you.” – Ian Riley, Art Director, Office of Marketing and Communications

"Congratulations on 20 years of service at SJU!” – Michael Schwartz, Senior Administrative Assistant II, Alumni Relations