Garrett Swasey Outstanding Staff Award

Nominate a UCCS Staff Member Today!

In December 2015, the Executive Board of the UCCS Staff Council elected to rename the outstanding staff award in honor of Officer Garrett Swasey. This award acknowledges the outstanding achievements and contributions of a UCCS staff member who exemplifies excellence in service to the campus and community.

The recipient of the UCCS Garrett Swasey Outstanding Staff Award will receive a $1,000 cash award (taxes withheld) on their paycheck at the end of the month after the annual campus awards ceremony.

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be: 1) a permanent – classified or university– staff member of UCCS and 2) employed as such for a minimum of three years as of December 31, 2024.

The recipient of the award demonstrates:

  • exceptional commitment which exceeds job expectations;
  • continual service to the UCCS community through various activities (e.g., committee work, staff involvement, community relations, etc.);
  • positive working relationships with students, colleagues at all levels, and other constituents of the campus; and
  • an active and ongoing commitment to the betterment of UCCS.

In all ways, nominees "go above and beyond the call of duty."

***Nominations must be submitted by the deadline of Friday February 21, 2025, 5pm MT***

Qualifying 2024 Employee of the Quarter Award winners will automatically be entered into the pool of Garrett Swasey Outstanding Staff Award nominees.

A nominator may nominate only one person for this award. However, a staff member can be nominated by more than one person.

Previous winners are not eligible. A list of those employees who previously won the award can be found below at the bottom of the page.

Nomination Process

  1. To nominate a deserving staff member, complete and submit a nomination form (link below) no later than February 21, 2025, 5pm MT. Late nominations will NOT be accepted.
  2. Each nominator will be notified of the status of their nomination on or before February 24, 2025.
  3. If your nominee is accepted, you will then be asked to secure two (2) additional letters of recommendation in support of the employee. Those recommendations are due no later than March 7, 2025.
  4. A screening committee consisting of Alumni & community members supportive of the University will evaluate the nominations. Selection of the winner is based solely on the materials submitted on behalf of the nominee, including the original nomination form.


    * Once the winner is determined, the Award Committee Chair will contact the nominator, announce the winner to the campus, and provide information on the Campus Award Ceremony which will be tentatively held on Tuesday April 15, 2025, in the University Center.

More about.

Click Here to Complete the Nomination Form!

Picture of Mountain Lion Mascot Clyde in Front of Clocktower

Ready to nominate a colleague? 

Deadline to submit a Nomination Form is Friday February 21, 2025 by 5pm MT.

Please contact Ann Schwab (aschwab@uccs.edu) if you have any questions.

Who was Garrett Swasey?

Picture of Garrett Swasey End of Watch November 27th, 2015

Garrett Swasey (pronounced /Sway’zee/), 44, was a UCCS Police Officer who responded in support of Colorado Springs Police to an active shooter situation November 27, 2015.

He was killed in the line of duty. Officer Swasey was a six-year veteran of the UCCS Police Department.

Previous Award

Year

Winner

2024Ann Schwab
2023Stephen Cucchiara
2022Rita Martinez*
2021Ray Fisco
2020Stephanie Hanenberg
2019Clay Garner
2018Phillip Morris
2017Laura Chandler
2016Marc Pino
2015Benek Altayli
2014Ida Bauer*
2013Ian Smith
2012Steve Linhart*
2011Josephine Benavidez*
2010Jane Muller*
2009Jayne Lloyd*
2008Kathy Griffith*
2007Gwen Gennaro*
2006Joe Simms
2005Kathy Englund*
2004Eileen O’Reilly
2003Tom Ostenberg*
2002Mary Lou Kartis*
2001Curt Straub*
2000Carmen Abeyta*
1999Jackie Konselman*
1998Susan Szpyrka (University Police)*
1997Sherry Ekerholm
1996Andrea Williams
1995Patricia Green*
1994Robert and Barbara Brown
1993Carmen Abeyta*
1992Lewis Garnett
1991Antoinette Massengale*
1990Susan Szpyrka (Bookstore)*
1989Jose “Art” Terrones*
1988Cindy Allen*
1987Diane Hughson
1986Debra Lee Ingalls*
1985Douglas Johnson
1984Miles Garner*
1983Gloria Lawlis
1982Patricia Van Matre*
1981Muriel Claflin*
1980Ruth Westcott*
1979Zoe Bechtol
1978Miles Garner*
1977Edward Adams, Jr.
1976Elizabeth Forney
1975Norma Stroud
*Retired from UCCS