2026 Mundy Award Recipients

On Wednesday, February 11, the Southwestern University community gathered to honor the four winners of the 2026 Mundy Awards for Exemplary Service. Bestowed by President Laura Skandera Trombley and named in recognition of the leadership of Southwestern alumnus and former trustee Joe S. Mundy, these awards carry the spirit of excellence and commitment that Mundy exemplified throughout his life. Each year since 2002, the Mundy Awards serve as a testament to the outstanding service and leadership demonstrated by Southwestern faculty and staff.

Each recipient has left an indelible mark on Southwestern through their dedication and passion. The honorees’ names will be inscribed alongside previous winners on a plaque exhibited in Bishops Lounge. The honorees will again be recognized in May at the 2026 Convocation Ceremony.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients:

Stephen Downey

Building Maintenance Technician and Locksmith Stephen Downey is hailed by both his colleagues within the Facilities Management Department and among the Southwestern community at large as the man who can help solve any problem. He goes above and beyond his duties to coordinate rapid-response solutions to problems as they arise, in addition to providing valuable assistance as a small engine repairman. Downey is trained, certified, and trusted to safely operate nearly every piece of facilities management equipment and has even jumped in to assist the team using his skills as a certified HVAC technician. He consistently answers when he is called upon, performing service to the University both outside regular working hours and far beyond his official duties. Downey is commended by his colleagues for being an all-around team player, lending his expertise to the betterment of the University, even when he isn’t on campus. He does his work without complaint and carries a consistently positive attitude.

Ed Hillis

Director of Web Development Ed Hillis plays the vital role of managing every aspect of Southwestern’s digital presence. From maintaining and improving the website, overseeing the University’s mobile app, and managing the email system, Hillis is the creative and technical mind behind countless systems that ensure Southwestern communicates with clarity, consistency, and excellence. Working with nearly every office on campus, Hillis displays patience, skill, and an unfailing commitment to collaboration. Completing tasks quietly and without fanfare, his work directly supports the visibility, functionality, and reputation of Southwestern. What sets Hillis apart is his spirit of service. He is always willing to lend a hand, no matter when, or where, help is needed, from driving golf carts in the pouring rain at University events to helping feed the campus cats during the summer. Hillis embodies everything the Mundy Award stands for: excellence, collaboration, integrity, and a deep devotion to Southwestern.

Pam Leatherwood

Payroll Coordinator Pam Leatherwood’s service to Southwestern extends far beyond just processing payroll. She possesses a selfless ability to ensure that all University employees are paid accurately and on time, even if that means working after hours and on the weekends. Leatherwood displays an uncanny attention to detail, often solving potential problems long before they arise. In her nearly two decades at Southwestern, she has consistently been rewarded for her unparalleled work ethic, earning promotions from Senior Administrative Assistant to Accounting & Budgeting Specialist, to her current role as Payroll Coordinator. Leatherwood has won the hearts and minds of her colleagues by being a true team player, working seamlessly across a variety of departments to process employee benefit changes, reconcile budgets, and integrate new software. Leatherwood owns many of the values that Southwestern instills in its students, from attitude and work ethic, to precision and attention to detail.

Andy Ross

Director of Business Internships and Associate Professor of Business Andy Ross is the type of professor who makes Southwestern stronger, not through fanfare, but through a steady commitment to supporting faculty, staff, and students every single day. He has been a cornerstone of leadership and mentorship within the Department of Economics and Business, always willing to answer questions and share insights on teaching, advising, and curriculum development. Ross is a respected and trusted leader, serving as one of the University’s most popular advisors. His classes are highly sought-after because of the time he spends designing engaging, relevant, and transformative experiences for his students. Ross helped develop a study abroad program in Granada, Spain, providing life-changing excursions that connect language, culture, and business. Across Southwestern’s campus, Ross displays a genuine care for others and for the University that leaves a lasting impact on students, faculty, and staff.

Staff Years-of-Service Honorees

The Staff Service Awards celebrate the years of commitment and hard work Southwestern staff have invested in the University. The award is a symbol of the time spent and countless moments of support, loyalty, and dedication that have helped to shape Southwestern. This year, Southwestern gives special thanks to those who are celebrating milestone anniversaries with the University:

Five Years
Ed Bahr
Matt Carr
Carmelo Ceballos
Magali De Tapia
Peggy Freitas
Monya Lemery
Shirley Maya
Lucy Rojas Ruiz
Joyce Salazar

Ten Years
Stephen Downey
Leonie Dsouza
Paul Ford
Linda Hamilton
Rachel McNally
Felix Oskam
Kristen Paxson
Dinah Ritchie
Greg Sigler
Carmen Velez

Fifteen Years
Bill Bowman
Mary Fields
Maria Muñoz de Garcia
Becky Rodriguez
Genoveva Venegas

Twenty Years
Katherine Hooker
Paula Sutton

Twenty-Five Years
Alexandra Anderson
Jose Arreola
Michael DeLance
George Godward
Phillip Lindinger
Nadia Mahannah
Michael Sedwick
David Williamson

Thirty Years
Donald Repa

Forty Years
Amy Anderson