Eight staff members and academic professionals are being honored by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences for outstanding professional contributions.
Heather Lash, Kristi McDuffie, and Jamie Thomas-Ward have been selected to receive the LAS Academic Professional Award, which provides a cash award as well as a salary increment funded by LAS alumni.
Kevin Armstrong, Anita Kaiser, Heidi Gnadt, and Victoria Huart have been selected to receive the LAS Staff Award, which comes with a cash award funded by LAS alumni.
Rebecca Riley has been selected to receive the Paula Adametz Hays Staff Award. This recognition comes with a $2,000 award supported by funds donated by Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, former dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Karl S. Rosengren, former professor in the Department of Psychology.
The awardees will be celebrated at a ceremony in Spring 2026.
Heather Lash
In her role as assistant director of controlled environment facilities for the Department of Plant Biology, Heather Lash leads the operations of the Plant Biology Greenhouses and Conservatory. This includes development and oversight of facilities, equipment, staff, and students in delivery of research, teaching, and outreach. Part of her role has included designing and implementing comprehensive greenhouse usage and hygiene protocols, reducing cross-contamination and disease outbreaks. One of her nominators noted: “Heather’s leadership over the past few years has resulted in dramatic improvements in efficiency, safety, and scientific output.”