2025 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.
We are now accepting nominations for the 2025 Orosz Award. The award will recognize 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, 2024, but not more than five years.
Faculty and staff members are encouraged to nominate a staff member for this award.
The award carries a $500 prize for the recipient. Nominations will be reviewed and awards determined by a diverse committee of staff within the Dietrich School and CGS. Prior awardees will be asked to serve on the selection committee and are not eligible for subsequent years.
Nominations for 2025 will be accepted until May 16th and the award will be announced no later than June 2nd. Nominations may come from any faculty or staff member within the Dietrich School and CGS. Up to 3 letters may accompany one nominee. Letters should be sent to Maureen Lazar, Director of Staff Personnel at lazarm@pitt.edu. Please reach out to Maureen via email or Teams with any questions about a staff member’s eligibility.
Nominations should include the following information:
- Nominee’s name
- Department/Division/Unit
- Individual’s name making the nomination
- A short description, maximum 1 page, including specific examples, of the nominee’s commitment to excellent performance in their position and their role as a leader among peers.
- A short description, maximum 1 page, including specific examples, of the nominee’s commitment to excellent performance in their position and their role as a leader among peers. In this instance, “leadership” is not limited to supervisory leadership.
There are many ways that individuals may serve as leaders among their peers, and the committee will consider a variety of forms that leadership may take including mentoring, offering assistance to peers and coworkers in service to the School, and fostering cultures of excellence in performance, diversity, effectiveness in their role. Please highlight how the nominee cultivates a belonging and welcoming environment, as outlined in the University’s Plan for Pitt.
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
- J.C. Bardzil – Theatre Arts