2024 Orosz Award for Excellence in Emerging Leadership
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and the College of General Studies
The Dietrich School’s Orosz Award was established to honor Michael Orosz, a staff member in the Biological Sciences Department who passed away unexpectedly in 2003. Mike’s family generously donated funds to establish an endowment in his name to recognize staff excellence in performing their jobs.
Congratulations to JC Bardzil, the 2024 Orosz Award for Excellence in Emerging Leadership!
JC serves as the Technical Director in Theatre Arts. JC’s nominators emphasized his collaborative nature, commitment to excellence, and mentoring of students and other staff. Even during a staff shortage this year, JC led efforts to build an inclusive community. One nominator described “the language and engagement he uses in shop hours with students is clear, calm, and engaging – with a constant sense of humor that makes challenges feel surmountable and gives the work at hand levity through his guidance.”
This award recognizes staff members in the early stages of their careers who have exhibited excellence in their performance and displayed leadership qualities among their peers. To be nominated, staff must have worked at the University of Pittsburgh for less than 5 years and specifically in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences/College of General Studies for at least one full year beginning May 1, 2023, but not more than five years.
The award carries a $500 prize for the recipient. Nominations are reviewed and determined by a diverse committee of staff within the Dietrich School and CGS.
Nominations for the next award will open in April 2025. Please reach out to Maureen Lazar, Director of Workforce Effectiveness at lazarm@pitt.edu with any questions.
Previous Orosz Award Winners
- Blessy Bellamy – Psychology
- Frank Hammond – Music
- Steven Hernandez - CGS – Office of Veteran’s Services
- Abby Primack - Biological Sciences
- David Roudabush- CGS- Office of Veteran’s Services
- John Willard - A&S Dean’s Office, Payroll Team
- Sarah Elizabeth Baumann - English
- Kayla Banner - BRIDGES/OUR
- Jasmine Dixson - Mathematics/Statistics
- Dina Condeluci - Biological Sciences
- Francesca Sirianni – Graduate Studies