More than 200 awardees, nominees, nominators and senior staff members gathered at the Statler Ballroom for the fifth annual Employee Excellence Awards celebration March 13.

“You are held in the highest regard by the student-athletes,” Vice President Ryan Lombardi told the audience, “for your willingness to listen when they are struggling with school work, family issues and missing home.”

Recognized for management excellence was Keeley Boerman, department manager for Classics and German studies, College of Arts and Sciences, is known for her people skills, quiet confidence, openness, calm efficiency and clear-sighted understanding. One nominator called her “the best manager my small department has ever had."