Nola Reporter

University of New Orleans President John Nicklow announced the  winners of the annual University Awards on Oct. 6 during his fall 2022  State of the University address.

The winner of the 2022 Cooper Mackin Medallion is Martha Blanchard,  assistant dean in the College of Liberal Arts, Education and Human  Development. First presented in 1998, the Mackin Medallion was  established to honor the third chancellor in UNO’s history. It is  awarded to a faculty or staff member who has made outstanding  contributions in support of the University’s mission.

“Throughout Martha’s long service to the University, she has played a  vital role in UNO’s education programs as a certification officer and,  more recently, provided leadership as we transitioned to a professional  advising model,” President Nicklow said. “Her commitment to our students  is unmatched.”

Naval architecture and marine engineering professor Vincent Yu is the  winner of the 2022 Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller International Leadership  Medallion. This award honors an individual who has provided significant  leadership toward the internationalization of the University of New  Orleans. It honors former faculty member and administrator Gordon “Nick”  Mueller.

“Through Dr. Yu’s summer engineering programs with international  universities, he has helped generate revenue for the University, promote  UNO’s reputation abroad and increase the internationalization of the  University of New Orleans,” President Nicklow said.

The President’s Award for Advancement in Diversity and Inclusion  recognizes an employee, team or administrative unit that has  demonstrated measurable impact and leadership in two ways: improving  UNO’s profile as an institution that fosters racial equity and  belonging, and advancing the University’s core values of diversity,  equity and inclusion. The 2022 award winner is Sam Hoyt, assistant  director of student academic success.

“Dr. Hoyt’s work has enhanced opportunities for women and other  underrepresented student groups in the STEM fields,” President Nicklow  said. “And as a director of Start Smart at UNO, she is providing  valuable support to a cohort of Pell-eligible students to make sure they  succeed and persist.”

The Presidential Staff Medallion is awarded to the staff member who  has demonstrated outstanding service to the University community. The  2022 award winner is LeeAnne Sipe, assistant dean for student affairs.

“In her decade of service to UNO, LeeAnne has built a strong student  experience program in Student Involvement and Leadership, as well as  showing leadership, innovation and flexibility in other areas of student  affairs,” President Nicklow said.

Original source can be found here.