Awards & Honors

Staff Award of Merit

The Award of Merit is intended to honor a staff member of Sargent College (administrative staff, non-faculty clinical staff, or non-faculty research staff) who has demonstrated excellence in his/her position and has made a positive impact on programs, faculty, students, and/or alumni.

The Award of Merit acknowledges staff members for their valuable contributions to Sargent College as evidenced by:

  • Ability to foster a positive work environment
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Consistent production of high-quality work
  • Initiative in creation or improvement of college, departmental, research, or clinical processes or protocols
  • Mentorship and training of others

Nominate

  • Please complete the nomination form for the Staff Award of Merit award. Nominations for all awards are due by April 1, 2026.

2025 Staff Award of Merit Winner

SHARON SANKEY, ASSISTANT DEAN, STUDENT SERVICES

This award honors a Sargent faculty member who has made an impactful service contribution benefiting the Sargent community.Sharon supports Sargent in a number of important ways and goes above and beyond in fulfilling the multifaceted needs of the college and its students.

From Sharon’s nomination:
“Sharon always displays the utmost professionalism and positivity in her interactions with faculty, staff, and students. Her calm and reassuring nature immediately diffuses stressful situations, and she seeks creative strategies to issues and problems that arise.”

Previous Award Winners

Faculty Award of Merit

The Award of Merit – Faculty is intended to honor a faculty member of Sargent College who has made impactful service contributions benefiting programs, faculty, students, and/or alumni of Sargent College.

Examples include

  • Leadership in university, college, and/or departmental committees that benefit SAR
  • Special involvement in developing interdepartmental collaboration in educational, scholarly, and/or administrative matters
  • Development of a new degree/specialty program and/or new career paths
  • Development of superior methods of academic advising, including curriculum and career advising
  • Creation or improvement of college, departmental, research, or clinical processes or protocols
  • Mentorship and training of others

Evaluation criteria for the award include the impact of the faculty member’s service on:

  • The fulfilment of Sargent College Mission
  • Student learning and achievement, and
  • Faculty, staff, and/or alumni of Sargent.

Nominees should demonstrate an impact in at least two of these areas.

Nominate

  • Please complete the nomination form for the Faculty Award of Merit award. Nominations for all awards are due by April 1, 2026.

2025 Faculty Award of Merit Winner

EILEEN B. O’KEEFE, CLINICAL PROFESSOR AND CHAIR, HEALTH SCIENCES

This award honors a Sargent staff member who has demonstrated excellence in their position and made a positive impact on the Sargent community.

From Eileen’s nomination:
“Prof. O’Keefe is an extraordinary advocate for her faculty. [She] consistently prioritizes their professional development, well-being, and scholarly achievements, ensuring that every faculty member feels supported and valued. Her thoughtful mentorship and strategic guidance have brought new energy to the department that fosters both individual and collective growth.”Whitney R. Powers Award for Teaching Excellence

Previous Award Winners

Whitney R. Powers Award for Teaching Excellence

This award recognizes an outstanding teacher from the Sargent faculty and is named in honor of Whitney R. Powers, professor emeritus of BU Sargent College, who, for more than 25 years, shared his gifts as an outstanding teacher.

Nominate

2025 Whitney R. Powers Award for Teaching Excellence Winner

CLAUDIO FERRE, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

This award recognizes an outstanding teacher from the Sargent faculty and is named in honor of Whitney R. Powers, a professor emeritus of Sargent College, who, for more than 25 years, shared his gifts as an
outstanding teacher.

From Claudio’s nomination: “There are many reasons why Claudio is a great professor, but the one that sticks out to me the most is his genuineness and kindness.”

Previous Award Winners

Sargent Staff Impact Award

This award honors a staff member who exemplifies:
  • Exceptional Service & Dedication 
    • Goes above and beyond in their role to support Sargent College’s mission
    • Provides outstanding service to students, faculty, or colleagues
  • Innovation & Initiative
    • Introduces new ideas, processes, or efficiencies that enhance the workplace
    • Proactively solves problems and improves workflow
  •  Collaboration & Teamwork 
  • Fosters a positive work environment and encourages teamwork
  • Acts as a mentor or support system for colleagues

Nominate

The Sargent Staff Council solicits nominations from the Sargent Community twice per year. For any questions about the award or the Staff Council, please contact us at sarstfco@bu.edu

Previous Award Winners