Regis celebrates the achievements of faculty and staff this spring

The contributions that the faculty and staff of Regis University make every day are the building blocks of our transformational education. Through our shared commitment to excellence, Regis’ faculty and staff make the university whole.

To honor the hard work of the past year, the Faculty and Staff Service Awards Ceremony made a return this spring. On March 25, the Regis community gathered in the St. John Francis Regis Chapel to applaud these faculty and staff making a difference. Opening the event, Regis’ President Salvador D. Aceves, shared his insight on Regis’ strength.

“At Regis, we are blessed to have faculty and staff who will embody such care and attention,” said Aceves. “They don't simply teach or perform their duties; they engage with others, seeing their potential and journeying with them as they grow. Like St. Ignatius, our staff and faculty listen deeply, mentor selflessly and help guide students, colleagues and each other towards their highest compassion.”

The years of service of Regis faculty and staff were recognized, ranging from 5 to 45 years of employment at Regis. Notably, President Aceves celebrated 10 years of service this year, and both Mike Redmond, Associate Vice President of Physical Plant and Matt Daly, Associate Dean of Fiscal and Operations at Anderson College of Business and Computing, celebrated 25 years. Lonnie Porter, Founder Emeritus of the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy, was recognized for 45 years of service with Regis.

University leaders bestowed three awards for the above-and-beyond excellence of select employees: The President’s Service Award, St. John Francis Regis Award and the Cura Personalis Award. This year, they were awarded to ITS Desktop Administrator Peter Cornell, University Minister for Spirituality and Justice Sharon Bramante and Associate Director of The Learning Commons CharLee Toth respectively.

See all of the years of service award honorees. 

President’s Service Award – Peter Cornell 

As the awardee of the President’s Service Award, Cornell was recognized for his exceptional service and care in helping Regis faculty, staff and students on both of Regis’ campuses. Matt Vita, Interim Chief Information Officer, commended Cornell for his commitment to faculty, staff and students,  

“Peter is a dedicated member of the ITS staff who performs his work with care for those he serves a strong desire to do great work and complete tasks, all with an ever-positive attitude,” said Vita. “Peter works with an admittedly small ITS staff tirelessly at the Northwest Denver and Thornton campuses to address help ticket needs with hardware and software.” 

Through his interconnected role, Cornell’s service to Regis has been an invaluable resource – something that Matt Vita recognized even before he was hired. 

“When I interviewed him, I knew he was good for the job because we actually came from the same company and the same client,” said Vita. “So I knew that he had the right attitude that I needed to address the turnaround that ITS needed.” 

St. John Francis Regis Service Award – Sharon Bramante 

During her time at Regis, Bramante has done remarkable work through promoting sustainability, leading students in peer ministry and spreading Regis’ mission in her role with University Ministry. She has embodied the service of St. John Francis Regis in sharing her skills and her passions. 

Beth Brin, University Minister for Formation and Outreach, presented Bramante with the award and shared kind words from two peer ministers she works with who nominated her for the award. 

“Sharon truly is a genuine, caring and loving person and that comes from the bottom of her heart,” said the students. “She extends kindness to the people she interacts with, but also to our environment, making a daily conscious effort to leave everything better than she found it. And Sharon works hard day in and day out to promote sustainability, compassion for our Earth and for our peers, and to model the importance of advocacy for social justice concerns.” 

Cura Personalis Service Award – CharLee Toth 

As the Associate Director of The Learning Commons, Toth works day-to-day with students for both their academic and personal success. Michael Ennis, Director of the Learning Commons, presented Toth with the award. 

“CharLee works humbly and diligently with a positive attitude in serving all members of the Regis community as a supervisor and mentor to over 30 peer tutors,” said Ennis. “CharLee has created a welcoming and warm environment in our space for our students, staff and clients.” 

Toth’s cura personalis – meaning “care for the whole person” – is put to use every day in her role serving students, faculty and staff.  

“Our peer tutors, CharLee’s students and advisees, and many of our colleagues come to her for support. Not only in their work with clients but for troubleshooting their own academic careers and even to have a sympathetic ear for challenges in their personal lives,” said Ennis.