Four devoted staff members were honored May 1 with Presidential Awards for Staff Excellence at St. Bonaventure University.
Four devoted staff members were honored May 1 with Presidential Awards for Staff Excellence at St. Bonaventure University.
The award winners were announced at the sixth annual Staff & Faculty Excellence Awards.
Also recognized at the Quick Center event were faculty members Dr. Tara Walker, Dr. Robin Valeri and Nicholas Kicior with 2025 Faculty Excellence Awards. A story highlighting their awards will be released after they are recognized again at Commencement on May 18.
Also recognized at the May 1 awards ceremony were retirees and milestone anniversary employees in increments of five years from 10 to 45 years.
The staff awards were first handed out in 2020 to honor the work of people across the university workforce who had long been overlooked for their efforts.
The award for Outstanding Staff Achievement, presented to a staff member who has provided exemplary support or service to the Bonaventure community and/or to their individual area or team, was won by Alyssa Krawczyk, associate director of Undergraduate Admissions.
“Alyssa is exceptional at her job, demonstrating remarkable leadership, initiative, and a profound commitment to our community,” one nominator wrote. “The speed at which she’s climbed the ranks speaks to her dedication, talent, and tireless work ethic. She is often the first to arrive at the office each day and the last to leave, frequently going the extra mile on weekends.”
Collaboratively with the Admissions team, Krawczyk led the effort to reimagine the campus visit experience to offer prospective students and their families a premium experience.
Said another nominator, “Despite all of her responsibilities, she remains grounded in kindness, respect, and a deep understanding of her role as an emerging leader, exemplifying our Franciscan values in everything she does.”
The Customer Support Award was presented to a staff member who provides timely and professional service to both internal and external constituents and is responsive to their needs and requests. The winner was Richelle Radomski, assistant director of Financial Aid.
Of Radomski one person said, “She is the epitome of what it means to be customer-focused and to be of service to others. She is instrumental to the success of St. Bonaventure and without her, the students and staff would be lost.”
“Richelle is reliable, knowledgeable, and always willing to help,” another said. “She never hesitates to pick up the phone when you call, or to call you if she has a question or information to share. I trust her to help our students and give them the information they need and to do it in a timely manner.”
A colleague said of Radomski, “She is an incredible asset to not only our opportunity program students, but to any student, parent, or family member trying to navigate the financial challenges that college can bring. Since the retirement of one of our long-standing employees, she has taken on three of our major processes. Not only has she done so with grace, but she’s worked very hard to improve them.”
The Innovation and Change Award, presented to a staff member who helps develop new and improved processes, methods, systems, products, or services and encourages others to do the same and who makes innovation a priority, was won by Maggie Rosenberg, director of Academic Support and Transition in the Student Success Center.
A colleague said of Rosenberg, “Maggie has been innovative and has helped implement positive change for the campus as a whole. She has taken a data-driven approach to figure out the best way to support students at SBU who are struggling.
“Always engaging, she offers professional development opportunities to her co-workers as they arise. Maggie always considers the big picture and that’s clear in her daily work.”
Another colleague said, “She is a leader, stepping in to offer support wherever needed, and helps to build bridges across departments and between faculty, staff and students. Maggie goes above and beyond to make sure students are taken care of and to ensure that people feel they are being supported. Quite simply, the university is a better place because of her work.”
The Rookie of the Year, presented to a staff member who has been with the university for less than three years and who has demonstrated responsibility, growth, leadership, commitment to the university and patience in challenging situations, was awarded to Jack Steger, associate director of Graduate Admissions.
“Jack is a team player with a positive personality and forward-thinking mindset who continues to embody the ideals of a university that he is fiercely loyal to. In just under three years at Bona’s, he has made an indelible impact on our campus community — consistently demonstrating exceptional growth, dedication and leadership,” one nominator said.
“Jack is always the first to volunteer when help is needed, whether in his department or beyond, generously lending his creative talents and collaborative spirit to a wide range of campus partners.”
As part of the pursuit of his Ph.D., Steger has worked with Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president, and Betsy Gingerich to create BonaLeads, a leadership development program for faculty and staff.
Said another colleague, “A consistent presence at Bonaventure events, Jack always shows up ready to support, celebrate and serve, always willing to roll up his sleeves to solve a problem and the last to leave once the work is done.”
Milestone anniversaries and retirees were:
Retirees (totaling 393 years of service)
- Mary Beatty (School of Education)
- Steve Campbell (Athletics)
- Pete Cavana (Housekeeping Services)
- Maureen Cox (Mathematics)
- Mary Beth Fidurko (Athletics
- James Fodor (Theology & Franciscan Studies)
- William Hilliard (Housekeeping Services)
- Ann Lehman (President’s Office/IR/Grants)
- Carole McNall (Jandoli School)
- Evelyn Penman (Quick Center for the Arts)
- Ray Rogozinski (Athletics)
- Dan Tate (Philosophy)
- Sue Van Der Horst (Financial Aid)
- Denny Wilkins (Jandoli School)
10 years
- Lisa Clark (Student Affairs)
- Fr. David Couturier, O.F.M. Cap. (Theology & Franciscan Studies)
- Mike Gallagher (Finance)
- Heather Harris (Jandoli School)
- Courtland Hess (Maintenance & Physical Plant)
- Wendy Higley (Business Office)
- Bob MacFarlane (Athletics)
- James Pientka (Physics)
- Gary Segrue (Safety & Security)
- Zach Tarbell (Technology Services)
- Bernie Valento (Enrollment)
- Dean Whitcomb (Enrollment)
- Kathy Wysocki (Student Success Center)
15 years
- Michele Arnold (Friary)
- John Brewer (Safety & Security)
- Tim Geiger (Technology Services)
- Michael Jones-Kelley (Jandoli School)
- Gregory Privitera (Psychology)
- Claire Watson (School of Health Professions)
- Xiao-Ning Zhang (Biology)
20 years
- René Garrison (School of Education)
- Kelly Hand (Business Office)
- Lauren Newcome (Technology Services)
- Jill Rohl (Financial Aid)
- Tracy Schrems (School of Education)
- Bonnie Sturdevant (Finance & Administration)
25 years
- Adam Brown (School of Education)
- Oleg Bychov (Theology & Franciscan Studies)
- C. Joseph Coate (Accounting)
- Darryn Fiske (Athletics)
- James Fodor (Theology & Franciscan Studies)
- Mike Hoffman (Technology Services)
- Don Hopwood (Quick Center for the Arts)
- Chris Mackowski (Jandoli School)
- Jim Mahar (Finance)
- Nancy Ryan (Business Office)
- Mike Threehouse (Athletics)
- Stephanie Vogel (Psychology)
30 years
- Carl Case (Management)
- Romy Knittel (Biology)
- Robin Valeri (Psychology)
40 years
- Bernie Vossler (SBU Cemetery)
45 years
- Alva Cellini (World Languages and Cultural Studies)
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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).