Western honors staff for impact on students and campus community in 2023-24
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will recognize four exceptional staff members during the Fall Awards Celebration on Friday, Oct. 11, for their significant contributions to the University and its students. Honorees include Grant Allers, WMU Public Safety police officer; William Mitchell, assistant manager of Valley Dining Center; David Prellwitz, gardener with Landscape Services; and Karmella Todd, senior administrative assistant the vice president for business and finance.
These individuals are recipients of the prestigious Make a Difference Award, which is one of the University’s highest honors for non-faculty staff. Selected from the pool of semiannual winners from both fall and spring, they are celebrated for their dedication to enhancing the campus community.
“We are fortunate to employ individuals who not only embody the Bronco spirit but go above and beyond to make Western a great place to work,” President Edward Montgomery says. “I am proud of the accomplishments of our annual Make a Difference Award recipients. Their contributions inspire us all, and we look forward to their continued influence on campus.”
Montgomery and Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will lead the celebration, which begins at 11 a.m. Oct. 11 in Kirsch Auditorium of the Fetzer Center The annual event also recognizes recipients of Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Distinguished Service, Distinguished Teaching, Excellence in Diversity and Emerging Scholar awards.
2023-24 annual recipients
Grant Allers
Allers began his career at Western as a dispatcher in October 2013 and became a police officer for the University in June 2013. He has been praised for his innovative approaches to teaching students safe habits and fostering positive relationships to enhance communication.
“Grant gets out with the community and our students and staff to make a difference,” notes one nomination.
Whether he’s connecting with students during Coffee with a Cop, distributing food bags during closures, reading to local elementary students for Reading Month or collecting thousands of pounds of food and personal care products for the Cram-a-Cruiser drive, Allers consistently demonstrates an enthusiastic commitment to increasing positive police presence.
He is also passionate about inspiring future law enforcement officers and has participated in numerous student career fairs, sharing his love for the field.
“It’s always exciting to inspire kids and get them interested in considering law enforcement as a potential career path,” Allers says.
William Mitchell
Mitchell joined WMU in 2019 as a food utility worker and worked a few positions, including as a cook, until he became assistant manager of the dining services unit for the Valley Dining Center in 2022.
His staff has praised him as “an amazing manager,” noting his professional and thoughtful responses to questions and concerns that arise on the job.
“He is unbelievably helpful, thoughtful, kind, professional and has outstanding customer service,” states one nomination.
Mitchell consistently shows appreciation for the efforts of his colleagues, understanding the immense workload involved in providing thousands of meals daily.
“What sets William apart is his work ethic and constant caring. At the Valley Dining Center, there are often call-ins, staff conflicts, student employee questions and concerns, many new employees to train, etc. He handles all this with grace, composure and a great concern about what is best for dining and best for employees,” adds another nomination.
David Prellwitz
A master gardener with Landscape Services in Facilities Management, Prellwitz graduated with a bachelor’s in food science administration from WMU in 2020.
He has worked at Western since 2013 and is praised for his drive to serve students as well as the community.
He is currently the vice president of AFSCME Local 1668, and he has championed raising donations for Western’s Essential Needs, letting the AFSCME’s different divisions know what is needed and helping get donations to the food pantry.
A nomination noted Prellwitz’s work with the food pantry is not part of his job at WMU or role with the AFSCME, but it is his concern for students that motivates him to volunteer.
“David challenges other University employee groups to step up and get involved on behalf of WMU students. He is making an impact in addressing food insecurity on campus and truly making a difference. David also attends WMU’s commencement ceremonies, thanking graduates—many of which remember him for making their time at Western a memorable one.”
Karmella Todd
A senior administrative assistant with the Office of Business and Finance since August 2022, Todd is celebrated for her enthusiasm in exceeding her job responsibilities.
One notable instance is when she took it upon herself to find the deeds to some of the University’s properties, a prerequisite for Western obtaining liquor licenses. Todd “turned over every possible stone to locate the documents, which she did. This not only allowed us to meet the deadline to obtain the licenses but also saved thousands of dollars,” according to one nomination.
Another example of her unparalleled initiative is when Todd created the office’s onboarding website and organized a monthly tour for all new business and finance employees. Todd says she’s proud of the work her office has accomplished and adds her favorite part of the job is going to home Bronco football games.
“I am inspired by my colleagues,” Todd says. “Receiving this award … inspires me to continue to be my truest self, discover my full potential and encourage others to do the same.”
Recognizing excellence
The University is now seeking nominations for the 2024-25 fall semiannual cycle for the Make a Difference Award. Nominate a colleague now through Oct. 31.
If you know of a co-worker or staff member who is a Staff Compensation System, AFSCME, MSEA or POA employee and deserves to be honored for outstanding service to Western, use one of the options below to nominate them. There are semiannual and annual awards available to those who provide exceptional services to the University.
- Fill out the online semiannual nomination form.
- Email nominations.
- Fill out the printable semiannual nomination form.
A committee of peers will select award recipients based on nominators’ comments rather than the individual's reputation, title or position. The nomination should provide specific information and use descriptive examples in support of the nominee to assure they gets the full consideration deserved. For selection criteria and detailed program information, view the program guidelines.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.