Presidential Distinguished Service Award recipients are recognized for their extraordinary
and exemplary service to our University community.
All full-time employees with at least one year of full-time service are eligible to
be nominated. Nominees should personify the EIU brand of All In and all things that
make EIU a special and unique place to live, learn, and work. Nominations will be
reviewed by members of the President’s Council who will provide recommendations to
the president for final selection. Up to five Service Award recipients will be chosen,
each receiving special recognition at the President's State of the University address,
along with award plaques commemorating their admirable achievements.
2024 Recipients
Darren Donaldson
Darren is described by his nominator as a humble and caring colleague who takes pride
in his work and who seeks to serve others. Darren is a member of the Facilities Carpenters
Shop whose craftmanship and care are second to none.
Michelle Morgan
Michelle's commitment to EIU is on display every day through her service and leadership
on the Civil Service Council. But this individual’s most important contribution is
caring for our students—as her nominator states, “she saw potential in me before I
saw it in myself”.
Matt Boyer
Matt is an empathic leader who cares deeply for his colleagues and our students. He
has had numerous roles across all areas of EIU’s housing division. His nominators
note his work ethic, everyday excellence, and abundant kindness.
Mona Davenport, Ph.D
Mona is a “students first” leader, ally, and EIU alum who has paid it forward for
more than 20 years and always raises her hand to help every student. She is someone’s
counsel on which our entire campus relies and serves as Eastern’s Inaugural Dean of
Student Success.
Mandi Starwalt
Mandi is a recognized leader and the backbone of EIU’s Office of Financial Aid. As
one of her nominators notes, Mandi is a determined and dedicated leader whose team
maximizes opportunity for every student.
2023 Recipients
Julia Awalt, Office Administrator, Housing & Dining
Julia is recognized as “a warrior and advocate for each student that steps foot on
our campus regardless if they are in housing or off-campus” and one nominator described
her as a “warm, empathetic and above all sincere” colleague who cares deeply about
our students.
Nate Brown, Building Service Foreman, Facilities Planning & Management
A familiar face to everyone across campus. As his nominator notes he has “a positive
attitude that is infectious” and he makes everything work “behind the scenes”. This
individual cares deeply about this campus and the people he works with.
Becky Shew, Support Manager, Information Technology Services
A dedicated colleague who has transformed the culture of EIU’s ITS help desk. Her
supervisor reports — and I know everyone in this room can attest to the fact that
she is a kind, helpful, and trusted voice on the other end of the line on many tech
support calls.
Dr. Heidi Larson, Professor, Counseling & Higher Education
A faculty member whose service to the community and commitment to K-12 education represents
service in action. She spearheaded a highly successful high school mentoring program
at Mattoon High School and brought here to EIU as Freshman & Transfer Connection.
Christy Kilgore, Director of Marketing & Communications
Described by a nominator as an individual with an “energy and tone that is always
a welcoming, inviting, and deeply authentic” — she’s a person who lives and oversees
the everyday operations of the EIU brand. And her colleagues note that she “supports
us and challenges us to do our best” and does so with a “big picture” vision that
is complemented by an attention to detail.
2022 Recipients
Debra Buell, Building Service Worker, Facilities Planning & Management
Debra is an energetic and optimistic Building Service Worker who takes incredible
pride in her work, and is always going the extra mile to keep her building [Old Main]
clean and inviting. One nominator commented, "She does her very best and it shows.
She always comes in with a great attitude that puts a smile on your face, and she
creates personal connections with the people not just in our office but all of them
in the building."
Sandy is a Graphic Designer and Athletic Photographer for EIU’s Intercollegiate Athletic
programs. She can be seen day and night capturing the excitement and accomplishments
of EIU’s student-athletes. Those who know her are quick to share that Sandy will
always welcome colleagues with a hug and a smile. One nominator further clarified:
"She is the best example of school spirit, sacrificial friendship, and general 'positive
attitude' found anywhere on campus — and there are a LOT of nice people at EIU."
Jody E. Stone, Senior Associate Director of Housing & Dining
Jody is currently EIU’s Senior Associate Director of Housing and Dining and has provided
more than 20 years of outstanding service to the University. Several nominators commented
that he does tremendous work leading his team. You will always find him problem solving
and tackling a variety of unique and challenging issues to discover a path to a collaborative
solution. During the pandemic he worked to provide 24/7 coverage to help make arrangements
to move those who lived on campus and needed to be in quarantine or isolation housing
due to COVID-19.
Jenny L. Stout, Associate Director, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Jenny is EIU’s Financial Aid Associate Director, and was recognized for her dedication
and demonstration of being ALL IN for EIU. She has been described as "personifying
all that we at EIU work towards and hold dear. She is a selfless and dedicated person.
Her knowledge and abilities have no bounds, nor does her dedication to work, and
those she works with and for. Her continued support … has been tremendous over the
years, and she continues to play a vital role in our success! There is absolutely
no one more deserving."
Evan M. Kubicek, Instructor, School of Business
Evan Kubicek is an instructor of Marketing in the Lumpkin College of Business and
Technology. One of Evan’s nominators shared that he is deserving of this award for
all the things he does inside and outside the classroom on behalf of EIU. He’s involved
in student recruitment, RSO advising, serves on numerous committees, and works as
an innovation coach, demonstrating his commitment to service across the entire enterprise
EIU every day.
2021 Recipients
Rhonda Bence, Cashier III, Bursar’s Office
Rhonda continually personifies All In customer service in her interactions with EIU
students when paying on their accounts and with campus departments making their depositing.
She is but one outstanding member of the entire Bursar’s Office and is a wonderful
role model for us all.
Carla Nelson, Space Administrator II, Office of the Registrar
Carla has served the University for over 25 years and is known for being a kind, caring,
helpful, and dedicated colleague always going the extra mile with every task or request.
Carla played a pivotal role in navigating multiple University-wide course schedule
re-configurations affecting hundreds of course sections necessary for our successes
in navigating the pandemic.
Emma Noble, Interim Director of EIU’s Health Education Resource Center
Emma unselfishly gave up much of her normal work responsibilities last year and this
year to coordinate and oversee EIU’s COVID testing program. Her service to the university
has been extraordinary.
Dr. Catherine Polydore, Assistant Dean of the Honors College, Professor Department
of Counseling & Higher Education
Dr. Polydore is a highly visible campus leader and an effective advocate of EIU’s
diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, including launching the annual RISE conference
and recent collaborations with colleagues on the HLC Quality Initiative. Her outstanding
service and dedication to the student experience is most deserving of recognition.
Jerry Rankin, IT Technical Associate, Information Technology Services
Jerry Rankin, IT Technical Associate, has played a crucial role in keeping critical
infrastructure available throughout EIU’s COVID response, working many nights and
weekends so that these systems are available to campus users during normal business
hours.
