College of Humanities Director of Business and Finance Richard Edmiston has received a University of Arizona Individual Award for Excellence.

 

Edmiston is among eight employees and three teams being honored for outstanding contributions, creativity and compassion in the 2023 Awards for Excellence, presented by the Staff Council and the President’s Cabinet. Recipients were recognized at an in-person event on April 25 in the Grand Ballroom at the Student Union Memorial Center.

 

Edmiston, who joined the University in May 2008, was praised in nomination letters as an “outstanding leader, colleague and communicator,” and for his even-keeled approach to handling any issues that come his way, both small and large. “Richard handles a ‘mind-bending’ array of business activities for the College of Humanities,” wrote one nominator. “His eagle-eyed approach to organizational leadership has guided our daily decision-making for more than a decade and we can't imagine running the College of Humanities without him.”

 

“It is no fluke that the college's number of grant applications and funded projects are significantly up, due in large part to his quick, diligent and thorough support,” wrote another.

 

“Richard’s efforts have supported significant increases in sponsored projects awards to COH. Additionally, his initiative to organize and collate the College’s scholarships has had a tremendous impact on students.

 

The University Awards for Excellence are designed to recognize individual Classified Staff and Appointed Professionals for outstanding achievements in activities beyond normal duties. The awards, which began in 1988, are sponsored by the Classified Staff Council, the Appointed Professionals Advisory Council and the President’s Cabinet. Organizers received more than 50 nominations. Each award comes with a $1,000 cash prize.

 

Criteria include outstanding achievement in the workplace, exceptional contributions toward efficiency and effectiveness of operations, outstanding service to the University community and/or visitors, special efforts in promoting workforce diversity.

 

Edmiston gives the College of Humanities its fifth consecutive year with a staff member receiving an Individual Award for Excellence, following Natalie Olsen, Amy Warren and Nichole Guard. In 2019, two College of Humanities staff members received Individual Awards for Excellence: Toni Alexander, Assistant Dean for Business and Finance, and Tyler Meier, Executive Director of the UA Poetry Center.