Celebrating Staff Excellence at the Chancellor’s Residence
When you think about what makes UC Davis and UC Davis Health truly special, it’s not just the groundbreaking research or world-class care. It's the people—the ones who show up, dig deep, and quietly move mountains every single day.
On April 22, ten of these incredible staff members were honored at the 2025 Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Awards ceremony—a warm, spirited evening hosted at Chancellor Gary May’s residence.
Guests gathered in the courtyard as Tammy Kenber, chief human resources officer, opened the evening with a land acknowledgment and a warm welcome. Chancellor May followed, praising the winners for embodying the spirit of UC Davis: “What stands out most among tonight’s winners is their shared belief that we can always improve, we can always care more deeply, and we can always aim higher.”
Chancellor May and Interim CEO Mike Condrin shared heartfelt remarks, reminding everyone that behind UC Davis’s mission are people whose dedication makes excellence possible.
Each recipient was celebrated individually, receiving a certificate, handshake, and photo with leadership from their respective campus. Clare Shinnerl, vice chancellor of Finance, Operations and Administration, Mike Condrin, interim chief executive officer of UC Davis Health, and Jita Buño, associate chief operation officer at UC Davis Health, also shared a few words about the vital contributions staff make every day.
After the ceremony, guests lingered in the courtyard, enjoying the sunset and good company—a simple reminder that while awards matter, it’s the people and connections that make UC Davis truly shine.
Curious about the honorees? You can read their stories on the HR webpage.
