Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership
The Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership was established by the TCU Board of Trustees to honor Dr. Michael R. Ferrari for his leadership as TCU’s ninth chancellor. Chancellor Emeritus Ferrari led TCU from July 1998 through May 2003. He held the faculty rank as Professor of Management at TCU and was cited for his efforts to involve the Fort Worth community in the life of the University through The Commission on the Future of TCU. His academic research was focused on strategic planning in higher education, computing and information technology, institutional renewal and revitalization, and academic-industry economic development partnerships.
The Ferrari Award has a prize of $5,000 which is awarded to the winner by the President in August. A photo gallery of recipients is on display on the second floor of the Mary Couts Burnett Library.
Nominations for the 2023 Michael R. Ferrari Award are now closed.
The purpose of this award is to recognize exemplary service and leadership by a faculty or staff member at any level or in any administrative or academic unit of the University. The award is meant to call attention to extraordinary situational leadership accomplishments over and above job or position expectations such as an individual leading an effort to solve a difficult major problem, successfully managing an extremely important project, designing an imaginative and creative new initiative, reaching out to improve the TCU or Fort Worth community in some significant way, or transforming the quality and performance of an administrative unit or academic department.
The nominee must demonstrate most of these qualities:
- Be a three-quarters or full-time employee in good standing who has served as a member of the faculty or staff (exempt or non-exempt) for at least three years
- Has made a definable important contribution to his or her professional field or area of special work expertise in the past year
- A passion for and commitment to his or her work
- Evidence of mentoring and helping others in his or her work environment to succeed and develop in the personal area of expertise
- An appreciation for and use of participatory approaches to problem solving, planning, and implementation
- An active interest in effective communication (i.e., taking initiatives to keep people informed and actively listening to concerns)
- Behavior that is consistent with the spirit of the TCU mission statement
- Members of the President’s Cabinet, members of the Provost Council and members of The Office of the Chancellor and President are ineligible
- All TCU faculty and staff may make nominations.
- Nominations should be submitted online, a current vita or resume may be included if relevant to the nomination.
- Semi-finalists will be selected by the committee and finalists will be sent to the President.
- Finalists will receive $1,000.
- This award is presented in the fall and the recipient of the Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership will receive an additional award of $5,000.
- Academic Affairs – Ms. Wendy Bell
- Brite Divinity School – Dr. Michael Miller
- Finance & Administration – Ms. Terry Haney
- Human Resources – Ms. Pam Hartwell
- Intercollegiate Athletics – Mr. Shawn Worthen
- Marketing & Communication – Ms. Caroline Collier
- Student Affairs – Ms. Sue McClellan
- University Advancement- Mr. Jason Byrne
- Chair – Sheri Miller
Past Recipients
2023 Candice Payne Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance Finance & Administration | 2022 John Bradley Thompson Director of Student Activities, Project Manager and Co-Chair, Special Projects & Initiatives, TCU's 150th Student Affairs |
2021 Eric Wood, Ph.D., L.P.C. Director of Counseling and Mental Health Center Student Affairs | 2020 Rachel Anne Hopper Associate Director of Residence Life Student Affairs |
2020 Johnny Nhan, Ph.D. Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor of Criminal Justice Academic Affairs | 2019 Peter Worthing, Ph.D. Professor of History and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research Academic Affairs |
2018 Zoranna Jones, Ph.D. Director, Harris Academic Resource Center Academic Affairs | 2017 Theresa Gaul, Ph.D. Professor of English Academic Affairs |
2016 Michael Butler, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Economics and Associate Dean of AddRan College of Liberal Arts Academic Affairs | 2016 Chuck Dunning Director of the Senior Year Experience Student Affairs |
2016 Victoria Herrera Associate Director of Admission Admissions | 2016 Ebony Rose Director of TCU Student Organizations Student Affairs |
2015 Shawn Worthen Associate Athletic Director of Academic Services Intercollegiate Athletics | 2014 Sarah Robbins, Ph.D. Acting Dean of the John V. Roach Honors College Lorraine Sherley Professor of American Literature Academic Affairs |
2013 Jeffrey C. Geider William Watt Matthews Director TCU Institute of Ranch Management Academic Affairs | 2012 Lynn Flahive Assistant Professor and Miller Speech & Hearing Clinic Director Academic Affairs |
2011 Jane Kucko, Ph.D. Director of Center for International Studies: TCU Abroad Student Affairs | 2010 Will Stallworth Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Finance & Administration |
2009 Keith Whitworth, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology & Anthropology Academic Affairs | 2008 Tara Perez Groundskeeper Physical Plant Finance & Administration |
2007 Leo Munson, Ph.D. Associate Provost Academic Affairs | 2006 Jose Feghali 1985 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold medalist, TCU artist-in-residence and Professor of Music Academic Affairs |
2005 Edward McNertney, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Economics Academic Affairs |