Awards & Recognition

NOTE: Nominations are now open for the 2025-26 year.

Davenport University’s Employee Recognition Awards Program has been designed to formally recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff in support of DU’s mission, vision and values.  Award recipients receive a crystal award and monetary gift during DU’s annual DavenFest event held in August. The program consists of five recognition categories.

Tyrus R. Wessell Award

Considered Davenport’s most prestigious honor, the Tyrus R. Wessell Award recognizes exemplary commitment to the University’s Cultural Values. The award criteria includes: embracing DU STAIR values, positively impacting the lives of DU students and making lasting, positive contributions to the University overall.

DEI Champion Award

The recipient of this award has distinguished themselves by: using a comprehensive lens of diversity, equity and inclusion to inform their leadership approach; demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing their own awareness, knowledge and skills related to diversity, equity and inclusion; serving as fierce advocates for equitable and inclusive policies and practices within their department, the DU campus and/or the broader community; and promoting innovative DEI approaches to enhance the variety of student, staff, and faculty experiences at DU.

Excellence in Teaching Award

The Excellence in Teaching Award celebrates our faculty who possess exceptional dedication to mentoring and engaging students, demonstrate mastery of effective learning delivery methods, and are recognized experts in their fields.

2025 Recipients: Karen Clark, Steve Bacinski, Darin Youngs

GREAT Service Award

GREAT awards are given annually to faculty and staff who consistently exceed Davenport's service expectations by going the extra mile to serve students and each other.

  • 2025 Recipients: Kelly Stafford, Randall Hodges, Emily Hayes, Amy Ostrow, Jason Bos
  • Nomination Form