2020 Staff Awards

Four colleagues and a team were honored at the 2020 Faculty and Staff Appreciation Event on Nov. 20. In addition to two long-established Excellence in Leadership awards, three new awards were conferred this year, including the Living the Mission Award, Spark of Spirit Award and Outstanding Team award. The 2020 recipients are: 

• Markeyes Montgomery, Residence Hall Maintenance – Living the Mission Award
   
• Jayme Jacobson, Instructional Designer, Center for Digital Learning and Innovation – Spark of Spirit Award
   
• Kate Reynolds, Senior Administrative Assistant, Philosophy – Excellence in Leadership (*Formerly known as the Lee Thurber Award)
   
• Cal Ihler, Director, Plant Operations and Maintenance – Excellence in Leadership
   
• Office of the Registrar – Outstanding Team Award 

President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., shared the following words (excerpted) on each of the 2020 recipients. 

On Markeyes Montgomery: 

“During a time when academia struggles financially, Markeyes Montgomery has demonstrated his vast skill set with tenacity and preparing the residence halls for the students' new normal living situation. Markeyes will go above and beyond his profession by being precise and getting the job done right on time. The first time.” 

On Jayme Jacobson: 

“Jayme embodies the behaviors that are characteristic of a true leader. She is an active listener and she treats everyone she meets with kindness demonstrating to interest true interest and who they are as individuals and she brings people together as a team. Anyone who has spent any time with Jayme learning, growing and becoming better as a teacher and course designer knows just how much she cares about others and is invested in their success.” 

On Kate Reynolds: 

“Kate Reynolds has worked with many colleagues and Arts and Sciences in different capacities and is appreciated by everyone. She’s known for her understanding of the college and its systems and for her generosity. She is always willing to share her knowledge and to train others even colleagues who do not work directly with her. I’d like to emphasize Kate’s commitment to equity and justice and her activism in this regard. Kate works for justice in our community as a trusted ally and as encouraged. She does not simply talk about the mission of the university, she realizes the mission.” 

On Cal Ihler: 

“Cal always has promoted the excellence of this university, the importance of Facilities’ role within the school and has never lost sight of our success and well-being, as individuals.” 

On the Office of the Registrar: 

“I can’t say enough good things about the Office of the Registrar and Operations. They’re quick to answer e-mails and phone calls and are always there to help a student, faculty or staff member understand our complicated university policies. The people of the Office or Registrar are the unsung heroes of Seattle University.”

Learn more at Faculty and Staff Appreciation.