Shining Stars of UH

Celebrating UH staff at the 2024 President’s Excellence Awards ceremony

University of Houston President Renu Khator with Nicolas Lara , Supervisor, Mechanical Facilities Operations and Maintenance
Wendy Byron, Administrative Coordinator, Facilities Services, and her colleagues with her Office and Clerical Award.

Honoree Wendy Byron, administrative coordinator, is joined by her colleagues from Facilities Services.

Honoree Wendy Byron, administrative coordinator, is joined by her colleagues from Facilities Services.

Special guest american television host, radio personality, writer and producer, and special guest at the President's Excellence Awards, Ernie Manouse speaking at the podium,

American television host, radio personality and special guest at the President's Excellence Awards, Ernie Manouse.

American television host, radio personality and special guest at the President's Excellence Awards, Ernie Manouse.

Gastón Reinoso, vice president of human resources, speaking at the 2024 President's Excellence Awards.

Gastón Reinoso, vice president of human resources, speaking at the 2024 President's Excellence Awards.

Gastón Reinoso, vice president of human resources, speaking at the 2024 President's Excellence Awards.

Congratulations to the University of Houston employees recognized by President Renu Khator and their colleagues during the 2024 President’s Excellence Awards reception. Houston Public Media television host Ernie Manouse served as master of ceremonies for the luncheon held Thursday, Sept. 5, at the University of Houston Hilton. 

The annual celebration shines the spotlight on UH employees for their commendable service, dedication and contributions that go above and beyond their job requirements and expectations. Gastón Reinoso, associate vice president for human resources, commended the awardees from various departments across the University and who all play a vital role in carrying out the University's mission of teaching, research and service. 

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the C.F. McElhinney Distinguished Service Award to Can Le, instructional lab manager in the Cullen College of Engineering. The McElhinney award is the highest accolade awarded to a staff member for exemplary contributions to the University. 

Also recognized during the festivities were employees celebrating significant milestones with the University – 13 of whom have been a part of the UH community for 40 years or more. These team members received Service Awards for their loyal and long-standing dedication to the University. 

Keep reading below to see the full list of recipients honored this year. 

Presidents Excellence Awards

Ashley Askew, Director of Special Programs and Data Specialist, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Administrative Professional

Ashley Askew, Director of Special Programs and Data Specialist, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Laura Lee, Student Success Coach, College of Education

Administrative Professional

Laura Lee, Student Success Coach, College of Education

Natalie Sumrow, Executive Director, Undergraduate Advising Center, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Administrative Professional

Katherine Veneman, Curator of Education, Blaffer Art Museum

Alyce Adeseye, Program Director, Optometry Clinic

Effective Leader

Alyce Adeseye, Program Director, Optometry Clinic

Alejandrina Campanella, Associate Director of UH/DMU Extension Program, Cullen College of Engineering

Effective Leader

Alejandrina Campanella, Associate Director of UH/DMU Extension Program, Cullen College of Engineering

Jeremy Dafoe, Director of Undergraduate AcademicServices, Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

Effective Leader

Jeremy Dafoe, Director of Undergraduate Academic Services, Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

Wendy Byron, Administrative Coordinator, Facilities Services

Office and Clerical

Wendy Byron, Administrative Coordinator, Facilities Services

Yolanda Castro, Administrative Assistant, Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

Office and Clerical

Yolanda Castro, Administrative Assistant, Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

Alfred Julian Waneck, Box Office Manager, Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts

Office and Clerical

Alfred Julian Waneck, Box Office Manager, Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts

David Dawlearn, Lab Maintenance Supervisor, Cullen College of Engineering

Technical, Service and Craft

David Dawlearn, Lab Maintenance Supervisor, Cullen College of Engineering

Technical, Service and Craft

Mark Rosanes, Manager of Web Technology, Technology Services & Support

John Taylor, Supervisor, Preventive Maintenance

Technical, Service and Craft

John Taylor, Supervisor, Preventive Maintenance

C.F. McElhinney Distinguished Service Award

2024 C.F. McElhinney Distinguished Service Award Can Le (center), director of Emergency Management, Human Resources Chief Gaston Reinoso (left) and President Renu Khator (right).

2024 C.F. McElhinney Distinguished Service Award Can Le (center), director of Emergency Management, Associate Vice President of Human Resources Gastón Reinoso (left) and President Renu Khator (right).

2024 C.F. McElhinney Distinguished Service Award Can Le (center), director of Emergency Management, Associate Vice President of Human Resources Gastón Reinoso (left) and President Renu Khator (right).

Can Le (left) and his wife, Hong-Phuoc Tran, with President Renu Khator (right).

Can Le (left) and his wife, Hong-Phuoc Tran, with President Renu Khator (right).

Can Le (left) and his wife, Hong-Phuoc Tran, with President Renu Khator (right).

Congratulations to Can Le, instructional lab manager, who received the 2024 C.F. McElhinney Distinguished Service Award. Recipients of this award consistently contribute at the highest level to the teaching and service objectives of our University. They stand out as exemplary leaders and role models. 

“Being named the best of the best among my peers is an incredible accomplishment that I'll cherish forever,” Le said, reflecting on the award. “The award ceremony was especially memorable, as the President herself sat beside us, making me feel truly welcomed and honored. It was a perfect event, filled with great company.” 

Le began his career at UH more than 17 years ago as an instructional lab manager for the digital media program in the Cullen College of Engineering. In this role, he has earned high praise by faculty, staff and students alike for his extensive knowledge in digital media technology and his exceptional ability to resolve the most challenging technical issues – all while maintaining a positive and encouraging attitude. 

When asked what motivates him to continue excelling in his role at the University, Le shared, “It’s the desire to see my students succeed. They're like my own children, and their growth and development are incredibly important to me.” He added, “Watching them achieve their goals and become successful individuals is incredibly rewarding.” 

Through his efforts, he supports the University’s goal of becoming a top 50 public university, “I’ll continue to work smart and train our students well, helping them to believe in themselves. I truly believe our digital media students will play a key role in UH achieving its top 50 status,” Le shared. 

Again, congratulations to Can Le! We are fortunate to have him as a member of our Cougar community. 

40+ Years

Patrick Daniel - 40
Tesfaye Kumbi - 40
Susan Butler - 42
David Dawlearn - 42
Howard Jares - 42

Beatriz Vargas - 43
Brian Walker - 45
Juan Zapata - 45
Charles Chambers - 46
Ivey Davis - 46

Elwyn Lee - 46
Alan Pfeiffer - Traum - 47
Mary Gould - 48

35 Years

Tina Blakes
Keith Crabb
Donna Halton
LaWanda Johnson

Nicolas Lara
Bridgette Lewis
David Martin
Marek Waterstone

30 Years

Russell Allen
MyTrang Baccam
Raymind Bartlett
James Briggs
Francisco Castro
Lawrencene Dourseau

Nellie Gonzalez
Jim Lawrence
Leo Moreono
Hope Queener
Gordon Taylor

25 Years

James Aguanno
Guadalupe Andrade
Sara Brown
Tom Carroll
Jacqueline Chee
Sunin Cho 
Youngmin Chung 
Valerie Coleman-Ferguson
Wanda Crumble
Debra Davis
Mary Dickerson
Randy Dupre
Alma Gallo
Christopher Galloway

Victor Green
Sharon Hall
Patricia Hernandez
Katina Jackson
Suzanne Kieffer
Keith Kowalka
Karen Le 
Cristian Loayza
Maria Martinez
Emily Messa
Lisa Meza-Duran 
Shabana Mohiuddin
Sonia Morales
Van Pham

Michelle Poullard
Bernice Roberts
James Simpson
Brenda Stevens
Natalie Sumrow
Yesenia Umana
Yanira Vasquez
Melissa Villarreal
Ginger Walker
Angela Williams
Marsha Wright
Zheng Wu 

20 Years

Teresa Acosta
Stephen Bangerter
Dante Banks
Jennifer Bloom
Michael Caldwell
Jacqueline Chaney
Yen Chang
Richard DiPersio
Charita Hampton
Quang Hau
Randy Hotz
Andrea Johnson

Jolisa Johnston
Cynthia King
James Lee
Zhijiong Lu
Carolyn Martinez
Kimberly Moody
Rosa Morales
Ray Morris
Thanh Nguyen
Kenneth Nieser
Walter Owens
Blanca Perez

Janice Quiroz Perez
Natashia Robinson
Christopher Rodgers
Beverly Sanders
James Simpson
Latoya Thomas
My Tran
Devianee Vasanjee
Katherine Veneman
Tashawna Wilson
Amanda Yim
Talibah Young