Ann Marie Pollard, associate professor of practice in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, and Pat Tetreault, director of the LGBTQA+ Center and Women’s Center, were honored with the James V. Griesen Exemplary Service to Students award at a reception April 1.

The annual honor was established in 1986 as the Chancellor’s Exemplary Service to Students award. The award recognizes extraordinary and sustained performance by individuals serving Nebraska students. It was renamed in 2006 to honor the contributions of Griesen who retired as vice chancellor for student affairs the same year. He continued to work as a professor in educational administration and is now an emeritus professor.

Pollard received the award for her immense dedication to Theatrix, the student run theatre company; contributions to developing academic recovery plans with students as the academic probation officer for the Johnny Carson School; and time spent chairing the school’s grants, scholarships and awards committee.

“She goes above and beyond to help every single person in this college, not just her own students or advisees, and her office door is always open whenever we may need guidance or advice,” said Hannah Mason, a student contributor to her nomination. “As a senior acting major, she has provided me with a myriad of options and advice for how to find a career in our work field, and it is because of her that I feel confident about my future.”

The second awardee, Tetreault, received her nomination for actively pursuing or initiating projects like the preferred name options and updated gender identity questions on campus applications. In addition, her services to students and staff through the Chancellors Commission on the Status of Gender and Sexual Identities as well as her ongoing leadership and interactions through the LGBTQA+ Center and Women’s Center were notable.

“Pat directly impacts the lives of many students by giving them opportunities that they may have never had from other people they encountered at UNL,” says Corrie Svehla, nominator. “She mentored many students to go for their dream jobs, to be true to themselves and tell their stories. Pat continues to stride to make life better for all students that come to her door.”

Presented annually during the Student Luminary awards celebration, the award includes a stipend provided by the University of Nebraska Foundation via private funds.