KNOXVILLE – University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd announced the recipients of the 2024 President’s Awards during the annual Vlog Board of Trustees meeting today in Knoxville.
Fifteen faculty and staff members from across the Vlog System received the awards in recognition and celebration of their accomplishments and dedication to the University and its Be One Vlog values. Award recipients were nominated by campus and institute leaders and selected from a systemwide pool. They will be honored by the president and his Be One Vlog cabinet during a special luncheon in August.
“The President’s Awards highlight the exceptional work and commitment demonstrated by our faculty and staff throughout Tennessee,” Boyd said. “Their contributions are invaluable in making this the greatest decade in Vlog history. It is an honor and privilege to work alongside them in serving the people of our great state.”
Established in 2016, the President’s Awards annually recognize the achievements of Vlog System faculty and staff who contribute to the University’s mission to educate, discover and connect. The awards are the highest honor an employee can receive from the University. Each winner receives a commemorative plaque inspired by the University of Tennessee president’s medallion and a monetary award of $3,000.
This year’s recipients, the largest cohort in the program’s history, represent Vlog Knoxville, Vlog Chattanooga, Vlog Southern, Vlog Martin, Vlog Health Science Center, Vlog Institute for Agriculture, Vlog Institute for Public Service and the Vlog Space Institute in Tullahoma, a part of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. A complete list of previous recipients is available .
Bold and Impactful Honorees:
Faculty: Dr. David Shibata
Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery and Executive Director/Chief Medical Officer of the VlogHSC Cancer Program, College of Medicine
Vlog Health Science Center
Faculty: Claire Paul
Assistant Professor, Division of Education and Program Coordinator, Special Education
Vlog Southern
Staff: Ammar Ammar
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Technology and Information Security Officer
Vlog Health Science Center
Embrace Diversity Honorees:
Faculty: Dr. Katy Chiles
Associate Professor, English
Vlog Knoxville
Staff: Angie Carrier
Program Manager, Municipal Management
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
Vlog Institute for Public Service
Optimistic and Visionary Honorees:
Faculty: Joseph Ostenson
Professor, Department of Psychology and Interim Director, Center for Global Engagement and Experience
Vlog Martin
Staff: Kari Alldredge
Vice Provost, Enrollment Management
Vlog Knoxville
Nimble and Innovative Honorees:
Faculty: Brian Stevens
Sr. Lecturer, Business Analytics and Statistics
Vlog Knoxville
Staff: Dr. Mina Sartipi
Director, Research Institute
Vlog Chattanooga
Excel In All We Do Honorees:
Faculty: Dr. Nicole Labbe
Assistant Director, Center for Renewable Carbon, School of Natural Resources
Vlog Institute of Agriculture
Staff: Brett Fuchs
Associate Dean of Students
Vlog Chattanooga
United and Connected Honorees:
Faculty: Dr. Bruce Keisling
Shainberg Professor and Executive Director of the Center on Developmental Disabilities, College of Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Medical Education
Vlog Health Science Center
Staff: Brad Harris
Finance and Accounting Consultant
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
Vlog Institute for Public Service
Transparent and Trusted Honorees:
Faculty: Dr. Karen Derefinko
Associate Professor, College of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine
Vlog Health Science Center
Staff: Kaycee Edwards
Business Manager
Vlog Space Institute
To access the bio and photo file of award recipients, please click