Three people in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences won Celebrate! Colorado State Awards, which honor CSU students, alumni and friends, academic faculty, administrative professionals and classified staff.
The recipients for distinguished teaching and scholarship, faculty excellence, service, advising and leadership-related awards on behalf of the academic enterprise will be announced on Friday, April 15.
Advancing Education Scholarship: Honoring the Legacy and Memory of Martin Luther King Jr.
Gabriela Ramirez
Graduate Assistant
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship is presented each year to a CSU graduate student who demonstrates service to and advancement of underrepresented student education and personal academic excellence.
From her nomination: “As a First Generation Latina in STEM, she is an excellent role model. Gaby demonstrates an impressive service activity with participated in REU as Peer Mentor and as an Assistant Coordinator, Amgen Biotechnology Experience Program. She has served for CSU MURALS, AAC and as an officer in the CSU SACNAS Chapter where she organized member and faculty discussions on equity and inclusion. Gaby has also proven to have a strong research production during COVID-19.”
Classified Personnel Council Outstanding Achievement Award
Felipe Y. Vazquez
Animal Care
Biomedical Sciences, Animal Care
This award celebrates meritorious and outstanding achievements to the University by State Classified employees.
From his nomination: “Felipe is the kind of person you want to get to know. He created an environment of support and positivity even when staffing levels were low in the pandemic. He goes above and beyond to ensure the horses are cared for and fed regardless of the weather, and teaches his coworkers Spanish while also learning English.
“He frequently worked in understaffed environments to ensure the best care of the horses in the equine center and trained and supported student staff through supervision that is technically not part of his role. Through rain/snow/sleet/hail Felipe is there to ensure that the center runs smoothly.”
Distinguished Administrative Professional Award
Becky Trentlage
Business Officer
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology
This award is presented to administrative professional staff for continuing meritorious and outstanding achievement in the areas of outreach, teaching, administration, and/or research.
From her nomination: “Becky has played a key role in identifying funding sources and strategies that have allowed the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology to flourish. Becky enjoys creating novel and effective systems and strategies to address gaps in service, meet changes in the environment or market, and seize new opportunities.
“Across campus, Becky is considered an administrative leader who many turn to for advice or to participate on key University committees. She tirelessly worked with the Office of Sponsored Programs to explore and implement novel ways to reduce MIP graduate student out-of-pocket fee costs, devised an effective new Grant Policy to address a key problem with research grant submissions and created a sustainable and unique Research Incentive Program.”
