Annual award ceremony recognizes outstanding contributions to Rider

Rider University held its annual Faculty & Staff Awards Ceremony on Dec. 15 in the Theater in the Bart Luedeke Center. The event marked a return to an in-person gathering following last year’s virtual ceremony. The awards honored employees’ outstanding contributions to the University at large.

The Frank N. Elliott Award for Distinguished Service is named in honor of Rider University’s fourth president and is presented each year to a staff member, faculty member and administrator who has demonstrated distinguished service to the University. 

This year's faculty recipient was Associate Professor of History and Director of the Gender and Sexuality Studies Program Erica Ryan. The administrative recipient was Christa Martin, executive assistant to the vice president for facilities and university operations. The staff recipient was Associate Dean of Campus Life Nick Barbati.

Associate Dean for Residence Life Roberta Butler received the Nancy Gray Award. Named in honor of former Vice President of Development Nancy Gray, the award is bestowed upon a staff or faculty member or administrator who exemplifies the ideals of institutional leadership, school pride and community service. 

For the first time, a new award called the President’s Inclusive Excellence Award was given out during the ceremony. The award recognizes faculty and staff who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion. The inaugural staff recipient was Elizabeth Carrion, an administrative associate in the Norm Brodsky College of Business. The inaugural faculty recipient was Evelyn McDowell, chair of Rider's Department of Accounting. 

The Iorio Award, named after Dean Emeritus Dominick A. Iorio, is presented annually to an outstanding researcher within the University. Recipients have been recognized as contributing meaningfully to their discipline through their published work. This year's honoree was Professor of Psychology Nadia Ansary, who specializes in conducting research and prevention programming related to the bullying of religious minorities, especially in a school context. 

Each year, two faculty members are selected to receive the Distinguished Teaching Award. This year's awardees were Professor Emeritus in Teacher Education Michael Curran and Lecturer Charles Ray.

A nominator wrote of Curran, who also received this award in 2009, "This professor has gotten me through a lot of tough times. He is understanding and does not stop teaching until he is 110% sure everyone has grasped the lesson. I have had him for three classes, and could not have chosen a greater professor."

Of Ray, a nominator wrote, "I will know that I am a success when I can change the life of another human being in the same light that professor Ray has changed my life."

Assistant Professor Emre Yetgin received the Faculty Academic Advising Award for outstanding advising qualities, which help students develop their educational and career goals. One student nominator wrote, "When he recognizes a true desire in a student to succeed, he walks right next to that person to ensure they get to the destination they aimed for.”

Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Graduate Education, Leadership and Counseling Christina Hamme-Peterson received the Chairperson Leadership Award. The award highlights the many aspects that contribute to successful departmental leadership. 

Barry Davis received the Coach of the Year Award. Over 17 seasons, Davis has transformed Rider's baseball program into a consistent contender in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), winning three conference tournament championships, two regular-season championships and qualifying for 10 conference tournaments. Last May, the Broncs won the MAAC title game and qualified Rider for an NCAA regional appearance.

Now in its second year, the Provost’s Initiative Award recognizes a few individuals who have played significant roles in moving forward a number of important initiatives aimed at preparing graduates both personally and professionally for life and work in the 21st century. This year's winner was Kelly Bidle, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The Ziegler-Gee Award is given to a member of the University who demonstrates exemplary support for gender equality and focuses on ending gender-based discrimination. Assistant Professor of English Laurel Harris received this year's award. 

Scheduling Coordinator Monte Brown was named the recipient of this year's Michelle McCormack Award, which honors a student organization adviser who has served as an outstanding mentor to a student organization.

William Eggert and Matthew Babcock were both named Officer of the Year. Eggert is a detective and Babcock a lieutenant in the Department of Public Safety. 

The Mazzotti Awards in Women's Leadership were established by Joan Mazzotti '72, former chair of the Board of Trustees, and her husband, Michael Kelly, to provide external leadership professional development opportunities for women faculty and staff. 

This year's recipients were Executive Director of Career Development and Success Kim Barberich, Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications Kristine Brown, Administrative Associate Elizabeth Carrion, and Manager of Campaign Volunteers and Executive Assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement Courtney Sledge.