McPherson Awards for Excellence
About the Awards
The McPherson Awards for Excellence are Bryn Mawr College’s annual program to honor students and employees who offer high achievement and service to the community, within or beyond the boundaries of Bryn Mawr. All current faculty, staff, undergraduate students, and graduate students are eligible to be nominated.
Each year, the College honors members of the faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate student bodies as McPherson Fellows. The recipients are recognized for achievement and for service to the community, either within or beyond the boundaries of Bryn Mawr. The awards are supported by the McPherson Fund for Excellence, an endowed fund that honors President Emeritus Pat McPherson’s extraordinary tenure at Bryn Mawr and her long-standing commitment to encouraging the highest standards of achievement among members of the College community.
In your time at Bryn Mawr, one of your more important projects is about learning to live together in a community both residential and intellectual, about sharing your ideas with each other and discovering new ideas in the process, and about practicing the kind of responsibility to each other and to the group as a whole that we need more of in this world."
Nomination Information
You may nominate someone for this award in any of the categories described below. Cross-nominations, such as the nomination of a faculty member by a student or of a staff member by a faculty member, are encouraged. The community may submit nominations for this prestigious honor online. If you wish to submit a nomination by email, please contact officeofthepresident@brynmawr.edu. If you wish to submit a letter recommendation, please send to the President's Office, Taylor Hall, attention: Mallory Dubus. All submissions will be collected and shared with the corresponding selection committee.
The nomination period will close on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 5 p.m.
One McPherson Award is given each year to a tenured, tenure-track, or continuing, non-tenure-track faculty member for achievement and for community service at Bryn Mawr or elsewhere. The award supports either a research stipend or a reduction from three courses to one course in the semester following the next sabbatical leave, to be scheduled in coordination with the faculty member’s department and the Provost's Office. The faculty McPherson Fellow is chosen from the pool of nominees by the Committee on Appointments in consultation with the Provost.
McPherson Awards are given to members of the staff for exceptional service to their own community or that of the College. Each recipient receives a monetary award. Eligible staff may be part- or full-time employees who have completed at least three years of continuous service at the College by Friday, March 20. The President and those who report directly to her are not eligible, nor are prior McPherson or Distinguished Staff Award winners or the Vice President of Human Resources. Nominations will be reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of a member of the Staff Association Executive Council, the Vice President of Human Resources, the immediate past recipients of the McPherson faculty and staff awards, and representatives from the undergraduate and graduate student bodies.
One or more McPherson Award recipients are selected from the student body of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for academic achievement and exceptional community service, whether at Bryn Mawr or elsewhere. The winners share a monetary award and are chosen from the pool of nominees by the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Committee on Graduate Awards. Specific comments on the nominee’s community service are very helpful.
One or more McPherson recipients are selected from the student body of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research for academic achievement and a distinguished record of community service. The winners share a monetary award, and are chosen from the pool of nominees by the Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research in consultation with their respective Faculty Advisory Committees.
Three McPherson Award winners are chosen from the senior class in recognition of their academic achievement and a distinguished record of community service. Each receives a monetary award to support their pursuit of academic, career, personal or service interests. Students who are nominated and are being considered for this award are invited to submit an application discussing their contributions to the community and their future plans. Recipients are selected by a committee staffed by the Undergraduate Dean's Office.
Award History
Mary Patterson McPherson brought intense energy, wisdom, humor, and a unique personal style to every facet of her life at the College. She devoted a major part of her life to the progress of Bryn Mawr and the good of higher education nationally. During her 35 years of association with Bryn Mawr College, as graduate student, lecturer, Assistant Dean, Dean of the Undergraduate College, and, for 19 years as President, McPherson proved herself to be a national leader in education by encouraging the highest standards of achievement among all members of the Bryn Mawr community.
In 1997, the last year of McPherson's presidency, the Trustees established the McPherson Fund for Excellence to celebrate the Bryn Mawr values that McPherson has personified, particularly her commitment to the entire College community. The McPherson Awards inspire and honor outstanding faculty and staff members, graduate students, and undergraduates.
Each year, the College honors individuals from the faculty, the staff, and the graduate and undergraduate student bodies. Recipients are recognized for excellence and service to the community, either within or beyond the boundaries of this institution.
2025 McPherson Fellows
Students
Riz Carthins, GSSWSR
Cole K. Churchill '25
Olivia Colace '25
Jess Escobar '25
Hilde D. Nelson, GSAS
Yusi Liu, GSAS
Dalena L. Vien, GSAS
Staff
Berry Chamness, LITS
Betsy Cancelliere, Provost's Office
Edwin Sanchez, Housekeeping
Faculty
Kaylea Berard, Spanish
2024 McPherson Fellows
Students
Keyla Benitez '24
Illizt Castillo, GSAS
Xenya Tyrella Theodora Currie '24
Katherine Lord, GSSWSR
Dickie Robbins, GSSWSR
Adalia Xiony Rodriguez '24
Chinyere Udokporo, GSSWSR
Savannah Williams, GSAS
Staff
Vince Patone, LITS
Alyssa Slattery, Human Resources
Terry Small, Wyndham
Faculty
Gregory Davis, Biology
2023 McPherson Fellows
Students
Janelle FitzPatrick, GSSWSR
Jenni Glaser, GSAS
Lindsay Griffin, GSSWSR
Ananya Amin Hindocha '23
Fatmata Sesay '23
Mb Singley, GSSWSR
Sarah Spielman, GSAS
Zoe Stoller, GSSWSR
Carlee Warfield '23
Alexis White, GSAS
Staff
Alan Blake, Housekeeping
David Chase, Dining Services
Christine D'Ascenzo, Enrollment
Faculty
Darlyne Bailey, Social Work and Social Research
2022 McPherson Fellows
Students
Laila Ali, '22
Shreya Bhutani, '22
Tracey Cian, GSAS
Andy Clark, GSAS
Leilany Davila, GSSWSR
Skye Henderson, '22
Sarah Mohtes-Chan, GSSWSR
Lindsay Norton, GSSWSR
Diana Rachii, GSAS
Mary Florence Sullivan, GSSWSR
Mechella Yezernitskaya, GSAS
Staff
Millicent Bond, Alumnae/i Relations and Development
Paul Hintz, Science Support Services
Tanisha Powell, Housekeeping
Faculty
Michelle Wien, Biology
2021 McPherson Fellows
Students
Khari Bowman ’21
John Edwards, GSSWSR
Reyna Gariepy ’21
Cassandra Gates, GSAS
Frances Loeb, GSSWSR
Clare Rasmussen, GSAS
Alma Sterling ’21
Staff
Donald Abramowitz, Environmental Health & Safety
Debra Chadwick, Conferences and Events
Jennifer Turner, Campus Safety
Faculty
Alice Lesnick, Education Program
2020 McPherson Fellows
Students
Jada Ceasar '20
Alexis Giron '20
Taylor McClain '20
Sangeun Lee, GSSWSR
Octavia Stancil, GSSWSR
Staff
Mina Brahimi, Housekeeping
Robert Cunningham, Science Support Services
Kirsten O'Beirne, Registrar's Office
Faculty
Marc Schulz, Psychology
2019 McPherson Fellows
Students
Nanda Bhusan ’19
Makenna Lenover ’19
Joy Rukanzakanza ’19
Mary Sexton, GSAS
Zachary Silvia, GSAS
Andrea Grushka, GSSWSR
Yamina Trotty, GSSWSR
Zachery Verbin, GSSWSR
Stephanie Vituccio, GSSWSR
David Wilson, GSSWSR
Staff
Hamilton Fortune, Transportation
Reggie Jones, Health and Wellness Center
Gary Stroman, Post Office
Faculty
Timothy Harte, Russian
2018 McPherson Fellows
Students
Anita Ntem '18
Cassandra Paul '18
Olivia Porte '18
Isaac Craig, GSAS
Elena Gittleman, GSAS
Kaamila Mohamed, GSSWSR
Sarah Slates, GSSWSR
Staff
Margaret Kelly, Archaeology, Cities, History of Art
Maureen McGonigle, College Communications
Cheryl Tavares, Campus Safety
Faculty
Linda Caruso Haviland, Dance
2017 McPherson Fellows
Students
Caroline Cosby '17
Priyanka Dutta '17
Angela Motte '17
Michelle Al Ferzly, GSAS
Rebecca Laster, GSSWSR
Samantha Pezzimenti, GSAS
Jenay Smith, GSSWSR
Staff
Deborah Harley, Human Resources
Madge Rothenberg, Development
Michael Williams, Housekeeping
Faculty
Lisa Traynor, Mathematics
2016 McPherson Fellows
Students
Palak Bhandari '16
Piper Martz '16
Khadijah Seay '16
Alice Fischer, GSSWSR
Matthew Jameson, GSAS
Tiana Pinkson-Burke, GSSWSR
Staff
Linda Butler Livesay, Provost's Office
Albert Love, Housekeeping
Jim McGaffin, Facilities
Faculty
Janet Shapiro, GSSWSR
2015 McPherson Fellows
Students
Hayley Burke '15
Samyuktha Natarajan '15
Jennifer Thoman '15
Elizabeth Parker, GSSWSR
Kristen Recine, GSAS
Michelle Smiley, GSAS
Staff
Butch Cahoone, Facilities
Pam Cohen, Academic Administration
Marilyn Henkelman, Thorne School
Faculty
Tamara Davis, Biology
2014 McPherson Fellows
Students
Amanda Beardall '14
Esther Chiang '14
Ashley Hahn '14
Sharon Kimber, GSSWSR
Emily Moore, GSAS
Shani Robin, GSSWSR
Ben Williams, GSAS
Staff
Harold Maryea, Facilities
Anne Marie McElwee, Dean's Office
Lillian Morgan, Dining Services
Faculty
David Karen, Sociology
2013 McPherson Fellows
Students
Kersti Francis '13
Katie McCormick '13
Linet Suarez '13
Lindsey Dever, GSAS
Stella Diakou, GSAS
Rachel Salzberg, GSSWSR
Staff
Mary Eldon, Human Resources
Filomena Micolucci, Housekeeping
Angie Sheets, Residential Life
Faculty
Penny Armstrong, French
2012 McPherson Fellows
Students
Mia Chin ’12
Yong Jung Cho ’12
Ariel Kay ’12
Diane Amoroso-O'Connor, GSAS
Christopher Micklewright, GSAS
Lia Pongonis, GSSWSR
Barbara Toews, GSSWSR
Staff
Rose Bochansky, The Arts
Lee Brown, Controller's Office
Faculty
Leslie Alexander, GSSWSR
2011 McPherson Fellows
Students
Emily Reuman '11
Mary Florence Sullivan '11
Adrienne Webb '11
Donald Fahey, GSAS
Sara Grainger, GSSWSR
Sheri McDonald, GSSWSR
Laura Surtees, GSAS
Staff
Charles Heyduk, Dean's Office
Karen Sulpizio, Academic Administration
George Williams, Dining Services
Faculty
Krynn Lukacs, Chemistry
2010 McPherson Fellows
Students
Deborah Ahenkorah '10
Abigail Olson '10
Lucy Sung '10
Karen Landman, GSAS
Rosa Quintana, GSSWSR
Kyra Turner-Zogebekor, GSSWSR
Staff
Sally Allison, Bookshop
Dawn Bruton, Housekeeping
Vanessa Christman, Intercultural Affairs
Faculty
Marc Ross, Political Science
2009 McPherson Fellows
Students
Kathy Huynh '09
Katherine Kellom '09
Jessica Schwartz '09
Eva G. Goedhart GSAS
Amy Elin Haavik-MacKinnon GSAS
Wanda R. Moore GSSWSR
Staff
Nell Anderson, Civic Engagement Office
Elizabeth (Beth) Iushewitz, Housekeeping
Bryn Thompson, English House
Faculty
Jim Martin, GSSWSR
2008 McPherson Fellows
Students
Dinu Ahmed '08
Tania Melo '08
Amanda Root '08
Romana Lee-Akiyama GSSWSR
Lisa Mallen GSAS
Joshua Noble GSSWSR
Staff
Ellie Esmond, Civic Engagement Office
Lea Miller, Academic Administration
Faculty
Homay King, History of Art
2007 McPherson Fellows
Students
Rachel Francois '07
Sarah Mackin '07
Gilda Rodriguez '07
Page Walker Buck - GSSWSR
Sarah Beth Hollister - GSSWSR
Mary Riggio - GSAS
Staff
John Amoriello, Facilities Services
Steven Carter, Dining Services
Sue Joceville, Undergraduate Admissions
Aaron Tsay, Information Technology
Faculty
Elizabeth McCormack, Physics
2006 McPherson Fellows
Students
Diane Gibfried '06
Katherine Pioli '06
Mridula Shankar '06
Anneliese Butler, GSSWSR
Crystal Fritz, GSAS
Howard Walters, GSSWSR
Staff
Mary Ellen Gardner, Comptroller's Office
Deborah Grant, Facilities
Dan McLaughlin, Housekeeping
Elaine Robertson, GSSWSR
Faculty
Kimberly Cassidy, Psychology
2005 McPherson Fellows
Students
Natalie Abbott '05
Joann Gage '05
Yinette Sano '05
Autumn Dickman, GSSWSR
Robert Ekey, GSAS
Alice Muludiang, GSSWSR
Staff
Claudia Ginanni, Public Affairs
Barrington Smith, Housekeeping
Helene Studdy, The Arts
Faculty
Alfonso Albano, Physics
2004 McPherson Fellows
Students
Jessie Johnston '04
Amalia Petherbridge '04
Meredith Stoll '04
Constance McSherry - GSSWSR
James Schweppe - GSAS
Victoria Tsoukala - GSAS
Staff
Dolores Burdo, Provost's Office
Carl Deloach, Wyndham
Eileen Markson, Information Services
Faculty
Azade Seyhan, German and Comparative Literature
2003 McPherson Fellows
Students
Mollie Ahrens '03
Sabrina Balgamwalla '03
Liliane Ndong '03
Elisabeth Ameln, GSSWSR
Jennifer Webb, GSAS
Staff
Christopher Gluesing, Facilities
Philip Mairs, Public Safety
Rodney Matthews, Information Services
Faculty
Michelle Francl, Chemistry
2002 McPherson Fellows
Students
Claire Albert '02
Emily Elstad '02
Sarah Goldfus '02
Jennie Goldenberg, GSSWSR
Mary Elizabeth Weston, GSAS
Staff
Carol Campbell, College Collections
Ann Ogle, Psychology
Darlene Perry, Housekeeping
Elizabeth Roeser, Math
Faculty
Leslie Rescorla, Psychology
2001 McPherson Fellows
Students
Sara Davis '01
Jessica Honig '01
Amy Quinn '01
Darlene Furey, GSSWSR
Lesley Lundeen, GSAS
Staff
Shana Fountain, Dining Services
Florence Goff, Canaday Library
Joann O'Doherty, Special Academic Programs
Faculty
Maria Luisa Crawford, Geology
2000 McPherson Fellows
Students
Barbara Graziani '00
Kate Johnson '00
Rocio Pozzi '00
Luyet La, GSSWSR
Keeta Martin, GSAS
Staff
Rodney Battle, Computing
Melba Gumm, Wyndham
Marty Mastascusa, Human Resources
Faculty
Raymond Albert, GSSWSR
1999 McPherson Fellows
Students
Aya Fujimura-Fanselow '99
Carrie Scanga '99
Karla Solheim '99
Gordon Kelly, GSAS
Jill Ragozzino, GSSWSR
Staff
Oliva Cardona, Modern Languages
Carol Johns Mininger, Housekeeping
Shirley Noble, Treasurer's Office
Faculty
Rick Hamilton, Greek
1998 McPherson Fellows
Students
Rasha Ginwalla '98
Amy Karon '99
Clio Stearns '00
Jade Baird, GSSWSR
Cathleen Battiste, GSAS
Staff
Mark Newby, Dining Services
Judith Regueiro, Canaday Library
Rich Willard, Instr. Design and Manufacturing
Faculty
Steve Salkever, Political Science
Distinguished Staff Awards
Prior to the establishment of the MacPherson Awards for Excellence, the Distinguished Staff Awards were presented from 1993 to 1997.
1997 Distinguished Staff Awards
Diane Craw, GSSWSR
Ann Daudert, Physics
Robert Williams, III, Housekeeping
1996 Distinguished Staff Awards
Lisa Zernicke, Conferences and Events
Mary Campo, Art, Archeology and Cities
Mary McKissick, Housekeeping
1995 Distinguished Staff Award
Willie Mae Taylor, Wyndham
Barbara Mandes, Human Resources
Earl Harris, Transportation
1994 Distinguished Staff Award
Steve Sensenich, Dining Services
Ralph Del Giudice, Audio/Visual Services
Mark Watson, Facilities
1993 Distinguished Staff Award
Paul Vassallo, Purchasing
Elizabeth Bernfeld, Dining Services
Augustine Wescott, Housekeeping