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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. Merianne Roth
  • 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
Theresa Gaul
2017
Theresa Gaul, Ph.D.

Professor of English
Academic Affairs
Mike Butler
2016
Michael Butler, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Economics and Associate Dean of AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Academic Affairs
Chuck Dunning
2016
Chuck Dunning

Director of the Senior Year Experience
Student Affairs
Victoria Herrera
2016
Victoria Herrera

Associate Director of Admission
Admissions
Ebony Rose
2016
Ebony Rose

Director of TCU Student Organizations
Student Affairs
Shawn Worthen
2015
Shawn Worthen
 
Associate Athletic Director of Academic Services
Intercollegiate Athletics
Sarah Robbins
2014
Sarah Robbins, Ph.D.
 
Acting Dean of the John V. Roach Honors College
Lorraine Sherley Professor of American Literature
Academic Affairs
Jeffrey C. Geider
2013
Jeffrey C. Geider

William Watt Matthews Director
TCU Institute of Ranch Management
Academic Affairs
Lynn Flahive
2012
Lynn Flahive

Assistant Professor and Miller Speech & Hearing Clinic Director
Academic Affairs
Jane Kucko
2011
Jane Kucko, Ph.D.

Director of Center for International Studies: TCU Abroad
Student Affairs
Will Stallworth
2010
Will Stallworth

Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities
Finance & Administration
Keith Whitworth
2009
Keith Whitworth, Ph.D.

Professor of Sociology & Anthropology
Academic Affairs
Tara Perez
2008
Tara Perez

Groundskeeper
Physical Plant
Finance & Administration
Leo Munson
2007
Leo Munson, Ph.D.

Associate Provost
Academic Affairs
Jose Feghali
2006
Jose Feghali

1985 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold medalist,
TCU artist-in-residence and Professor of Music
Academic Affairs
Edward McNertney
2005
Edward McNertney, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Economics
Academic Affairs