Capstone Awards
The Capstone Awards are five distinct awards associated with five outstanding individuals – E. Roger Sayers, Minnie C. Miles, Rickey Yanaura, Sam S. May, and Vergil Parks McKinley, Sr. Each served The University of Alabama in his or her own, unique way. Giving their all, they demonstrated every day that serving others is not only a privilege but a calling.
The Capstone Awards continue the legacies of these outstanding five by honoring individual employees, departments, or teams for their exemplary performance, winning spirit, exceptional customer service, and enterprising ways. A monetary award accompanies each award.

- The Department of Human Resources solicits nominations in the spring semester
- Nominees must be faculty and/or exempt administrative personnel
- Nomination deadline is March 10, 2023
- Nominations must be submitted by a current UA employee
- Nomination packets must include:
- Online nomination submission form
- Minimum of two letters in support of the nomination Note: Nomination packets may contain letters of recommendation and support from external constituents
- The selection and review committee is comprised of representatives from the President's Cabinet, National Alumni Association, Faculty Senate, Office of the President, and Human Resources
- This award is presented annually at the Spring Campus Assembly
- A monetary award of $2800 accompanies this honor
During his tenure, he launched the $165 million “Campaign for Alabama" and was part of an effort to recruit Mercedes-Benz U.S. International to Tuscaloosa. He also raised admission standards, and the National Alumni Association almost doubled its membership during his tenure.
Additionally, Sayers was actively involved in civic affairs, having served as Chairman of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Black Warrior Boy Scouts Council and Alabama Supercomputer Authority, to name just a few. Ever mindful that the University of Alabama's chief currency is credibility. Dr. Sayers continues to speak to the importance of educational responsibility. In the year of his retirement, 1996, E. Roger Sayers was named the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Minnie C. Miles Endowed Excellence Award which recognizes non-faculty and administrative employees for their service excellence in furthering the mission of the University.2023 Most Recent Distinguished Honoree
Dr. Elizabeth "Liza" Wilson, Sr. Associate Dean, College of Education
Past Recipients:
2022 - Donald Keith
2021 - Arleene Breaux
2020 - Kagendo Mutua
2019 - Laura Beth Brown
2018 - David P. Hale
2017 - Bennett L. Bearden
2016 - Samory T. Pruitt
2015 - Joe Benson
2014 - Marcia Hay-McCutcheon
2013 - George B. "Sandy" Gordon
2012 - Eugene M. Futato
2011 - Pat Whetstone
2010 - Ronnie Robertson
2009 - Mal Moore
2008 - Gina Johnson
2007 - Sarah Patterson
2006 - Billy P. Helms
2005 - Robert McCurley, Jr.
2004 - Jan Pruitt Duvall
2003 - J. Barry Mason
2002 - Catherine Randall
2001 - Culpepper Clark
2000 - Dorothy Martin
1999 - John Moore
1998 - Drury Caine
1997 - B. Scott Bridges
1996 - David Womack, Inaugural Honoree

- The Department of Human Resources solicits nominations in the spring semester
- Nominees must be exempt, non-faculty, administrative employees
- Nomination deadline is Friday, March 10, 2023
- Any UA employee may submit a nomination
- Nomination packets must include:
- Online nomination submission form
- A minimum of two letters of recommendation and support Note: Nomination packets may contain letters of recommendation and support from external constituents
- The selection and review committee is comprised of the Past Recipient and representatives from the Office of the Provost, Faculty Senate, Professional Staff Assembly, and Human Resources
- This award is presented annually at the President’s Spring Campus-Wide Meeting
- A monetary award of $1000 accompanies this honor
2023 Most Recent Distinguished Honoree
Glenda Leasor, Budget Coordinator, Office of Teaching, Innovation and Digital Education
Past Distinguished Recipients
2022 - Stacy Jones
2021 - Cynthia Moore
2020 - Karen Carpenter
2019 - Dane Cameron
2018 - Lee Harris
2017 - Lisa Joiner
2016 - Robert E. Hayes
2015 - Daphne Wright
2014 - Tim Dillard
2013 - Harriet O. Deason
2012 - Mary Jo Modica
2011 - Mary Ann Bradley
2010 - Cindy Wright
2009 - Annette Watters
2008 - Steve Tucker
2007 - Phillip Adcock
2006 - John Maxwell
2005 - Deborah Hamilton
2004 - Donna Maples
2003 - Kathleen P. Cramer
2002 - Bonni LaBresh
2001 - Hannelore Delbridge
2000 - Marilee Brown-Wells
1999 - Judy Arnold
1998 - J. Barry Mason
1997 - Harry J. Knopke
1996 - E. Roger Sayers, Inaugural Honoree

- Recognizes teams or departments demonstrating exceptional commitment, or creativity in customer service.
- Any UA employee, team or department may submit nominations.
- Nomination form submissions must contain a minimum of (1) one letter of support.
- The 2023 deadline to submit nominations is July 31st.
- One recipient from each division except Academic Affairs may be selected. In Academic Affairs (1) recipient from the Colleges and (1) recipient from the Offices may be selected. The committee may deem it necessary to award one team as the Campus Wide/Campus Community recipient.
- The selection committee made up of representatives from a minimum of (5) divisions submits the names of those to be recognized to Human Resources.
- Winning teams are publicly recognized at the President's Fall Campus Assembly.
- Teams, departments and units honored with this recognition receive a $500 departmental transfer of funds to be used within UA guidelines.
2022
- Alumni Scholarship Team
- Capstone Village
- Education Abroad
- Housing and Residential Communities
- ICUE Connector
- UA SafeState Field Services
- Social Media Team
2021
- College of Community Health Sciences
- Department of Ceremonies and Events
- Facilities and Grounds
- Gift Accounting Team
- The RISE Center Staff

- The Department of Human Resources solicits nominations for this quarterly award on an ongoing basis
- Any non-student UA employee is eligible for this award
- Nominations will be held for consideration by the selection committee for one year after submission
- Nominations may be submitted by UA supervisors for any eligible direct report
- Nomination packets must include:
- Online nomination submission form
- Minimum of one letter in support of the nomination
- The selection and review committee is comprised of representatives from a minimum of five campus divisions and the Department of Human Resources
- Individual recipients of this quarterly award are acknowledged at their department level
- Recipients for the year are recognized annually at the Campus Assembly
- A monetary award of $1200 accompanies this honor
2021
- Kristina Patridge
- James Donahoe
- Holly Grof
2020
- Daphne Wright
- Kathy Yarbrough
2019
- Bernadette Chavira-Trull
- Julie Ember
- Daniel Wood
2018
- Melinda Fields
- Vanessa Williams
- Robin Elmore

• The Department of Human Resources solicits nominations for this quarterly award on an ongoing basis
• Any UA employee may submit a nomination
• Nomination form submissions should include the nomination form and at least (1) one letter of support
• Nominations will be kept on file for one year from the submission date
• One recipient from each campus division may be selected on a quarterly basis
A monetary award of $250 dollars accompanies this honor
Selection Process:
-Nominations are reviewed by Human Resources to ensure that employees nominated are in good standing
-Supervisors are then notified of nominations from their area (s)
-The employee recognition selection committee, made up of representatives from a minimum of five campus divisions, reviews approved nominations and submits the names of those selected for recognition to Human Resources to confirm and present
-Award presentations are coordinated with the recipient's home department/leadership and others responsible for submitting the nomination
-A monetary award of $250.00 accompanies this recognition and is processed by Human Resources via direct deposit following the award presentation
Selection Process
The specific nomination and selection process for each of the five Capstone Awards is described in the Guidelines section for each award. General nomination and selection process information appears below:
Annual Endowed Awards
-Nominations for the E. Roger Sayers Endowed Distinguished Service Award and Minnie C. Miles Endowed Excellence Award are solicited annually at the start of the Spring semester by Human Resources via a campuswide “Call for Nominations”, through direct outreach to senior leadership, and via UA News announcements, Digital Displays, and monthly e-newsletters.
*Nominations should be submitted via the online nomination portal.
-Human Resources reviews nominations to confirm status and eligibility, shares the slate of nominees with the designated selection committee for each award, and invites their rankings and recommendations for selection. The names of those chosen for each award are then submitted for approval by the Office of the President and Office of the Provost.
-Monetary awards which accompany these endowed honors are processed through Human Resources/Payroll with deductions taken.
Quarterly Endowed Awards
Nominations for the Vergil Parks McKinley Sr. Employee Award are solicited on an ongoing basis by Human Resources.
*Nominations should be submitted via the online nomination portal.
-Human Resources reviews the nominations to confirm status and eligibility then shares the slate of nominees with the Employee Recognition Selection Committee (made up of representatives from at least five campus divisions) to invite their rankings and recommendations for selection.
-The Employee Recognition Selection Committee reviews approved nominations on a regular basis and submits their recommendations to Human Resources to confirm and present.
-Monetary awards which accompany this endowed honor are processed through Human Resources/Payroll with deductions taken.
Annual Team Awards
-Nominations for the Sam S. May Commitment to Service Award are solicited annually in late Spring and throughout Summer by Human Resources via a campus wide “Call for Nominations”, through direct outreach to senior leadership, and via UA News announcements, Digital Displays, and monthly e-newsletters.
*Nominations should be submitted via the online nomination portal.
-Human Resources reviews the nominations to confirm status and eligibility then shares the slate of nominees with the Employee Recognition Selection Committee (made up of representatives from at least five campus divisions) to invite their rankings and recommendations for selection.
-Two teams from Academic Affairs (one from the Colleges and one from the Offices) may be selected for this award, and one team from other divisions. Additionally, the selection committee has the authority to recommend a team best described as the Community-Wide or Campus-Wide recipient based on the team makeup and/or impact of that team’s contributions.
-Human Resources processes a $500 monetary award through a budget transfer to each winning team. Funds are to be transferred into an 11000 account and used within UA Guidelines.
Quarterly Awards
-Nominations for the Rickey Yanaura Crimson Spirit Award are solicited on an ongoing basis by Human Resources.
*Nominations should be submitted via the online nomination portal.
-Human Resources reviews the nominations to confirm status and eligibility then shares the slate of nominees with the Employee Recognition Selection Committee (made up of representatives from at least five campus divisions) to invite their rankings and recommndations for selection.
-The Employee Recognition Selection Committee reviews approved nominations on a regular basis and submits their recommendations to Human Resources to confirm and present.
-Monetary awards which accompany this honor are funded centrally and are processed through Human Resources/Payroll with deductions taken.