#Arno Nowotny Medal

[utcampuslifeupdate]

President Honors Staffer’s Dedication to Student Support

Provost Sharon Wood, Araceli Nieto and President Hay Hartzell at the Faculty and Staff Awards on April 12

For 38 years, Araceli Nieto enhanced the lives of generations of students through her empathy, kindness, compassion and unparalleled breadth of knowledge. She was a mainstay in the Office of the Dean of Students, going above and beyond as a connector and problem solver. Now, the University is honoring her with the Arno Nowotny Medal, awarded to a retired Division of Student Affairs staff member who set the bar high during their distinguished career serving students.*

“I saw myself as a steady rock. I believe it was my desire to be helpful. My mother always told me – be of service, be helpful. That resonated with me. Anytime there was something that needed to be done, I wanted to be there to help. That guided me,” said Nieto.

Nieto (front row, far left) with the Office of the Dean of Students team and former Dean of Students Sharon Justice (front row, far right) in 1989

That desire to help students motivated Nieto to seek a job in the Office of the Dean of Students in 1980. She began as a senior secretary, after working for a short period at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and held progressive roles over the next four decades. She served the dean of students as executive assistant, supported the office and other staff, and her career culminated as executive liaison for the Office of the Dean of Students and vice president for student affairs. She retired in 2018.

In the true spirit of student affairs work, Nieto’s first priority was always our students, but she also influenced the lives of many staff, faculty and families. Her career spanned nine deans and interim deans, including Sharon Justice, former associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students from 1985-2001.

Sharon Justice and Nieto circa 1990s

“Araceli worked for me for sixteen years and she was a supervisor’s dream employee. Her eagerness to learn more, to improve her performance, to keep me on track and to have a sense of humor made for a wonderful working relationship,” shared Justice.

Many others benefited from Nieto’s dedication, wisdom and perspective – her presence was a key component to the success of the office and team. She handled many difficult and emergency situations, such as student deaths and 9/11, with poise, diplomacy and care.

“During her years of service in the Office of the Dean of Students, Araceli consistently demonstrated her commitment to the University community. She helped students navigate the orange tape, she provided parents with the necessary resources, she served on committees, she reassured faculty members that a staff member would call them back as soon as possible and all this with a calm demeanor,” added Justice.

Nieto and Former President Robert Berdahl at 1999 Performance Review and Evaluation

Justice, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Dison and other former University leaders and colleagues attended the awards celebration at the Faculty and Staff Awards on April 12, 2024. President Jay Hartzell and Executive Vice President and Provost Sharon Wood honored Nieto alongside 10 distinguished faculty members who received the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Awards.

“Araceli was dedicated to serving our students and has been recognized with a multitude of awards, commendations and recognition from prominent student organizations. She has made an impact on the lives of many staff, faculty and families through her endless show of empathy, commitment and guidance,” noted Provost Wood.

Nieto has received many other noteworthy achievements over the years including The University of Texas Employee Excellence Award and the Eyes of Texas Excellence Award. She served as the first advisor to Sigma Lambda Gamma – Xi Chapter during the formation and establishment of the first Hispanic Sorority on our campus. She also received numerous recognitions from student organizations including Student Government, Senate of College Councils, Graduate Student Assembly, UT Leadership Board and Orange Jackets.

*The Arno Nowotny Medal is the highest honor the University awards to a Division of Student Affairs staff member. Founded in 1983, the Arno Nowotny Medal honors the longtime dean of student life who influenced generations of students during his more than 50 years of service. Check out the past honorees.

[utcampuslifeupdate]

Former RecSports Staffer Honored for Impact on Students

Provost Sharon Wood, Eric Stoutner and President Jay Hartzell at the Faculty and Staff Awards on March 29, 2023

In his 35 years with Recreational Sports, Eric Stoutner influenced the lives and careers of dozens of students and campus recreation professionals, in addition to supporting facility projects and programs. Now, the university is honoring him with the Arno Nowony Medal*, awarded to retired Division of Student Affairs staff members who set the bar high during their distinguished careers serving students.

“His trajectory and the help of RecSports getting me to this space created my whole life. He said, ‘Oh, you’ve seen this job,’ and it created not only what I am doing today, not just professionally, but personally,” shared Kristin DeAngelo, B.A. ’09, who is the director of facilities at the University of Arkansas’ University Recreation.

Recreational Sports program staff in 2017

“It’s the life outside of the classroom – living in the dorms, joining student organizations, playing intramurals – that’s what really enriches the college experience,” noted Stoutner.

Hear more about Stoutner’s impact on students in this latest episode of the Living the Longhorn Life podcast, also available on Spotify, Apple and Google.

*Founded in 1983, the Arno Nowotny Medal honors the longtime dean of student life who influenced generations of students during his more than 50 years of service. The president gives the award annually to a staff member who went above and beyond to serve students.

[utcampuslifeupdate]

President Honors Student Success Proponent

Dr. Ge Chen with Jilin Normal University President Yang Jinghai

Recognized as an advocate for all UT Austin students, Ge Chen, Ed.D. dedicated 14 years to programs that help students succeed. President Gregory L. Fenves honored her impact with the Arno Nowotny Medal at the Faculty and Staff Awards Dinner on March 29. 

In 2000, Dr. Chen began her career on the Forty Acres as a student affairs administrator in the Office of the Dean of Students coordinating the Gateway Scholars Program. In 2003, she became an assistant dean of students and was responsible for overseeing seven student success programs. Her work supported the first-year experience, a summer residential program, and first-generation and historically underrepresented students. 

In 2007, Dr. Chen joined the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. There she served as assistant vice president for Academic Diversity Initiatives and interim advisor of the Multicultural Engagement Center’s Asian Desi Pacific Islander American Collective. She was instrumental in creating study abroad opportunities in Bejing, China, and Capetown, South Africa. 

Founded in 1983, the Arno Nowotny Medal is the highest honor the university bestows on a Division of Student Affairs staff member. The president gives the award annually to a staff member who went above and beyond to serve students. Check out the past honorees. 

[utcampuslifeupdate]

President Honors Former Counseling Staffer

President Gregory L. Fenves, Jane Bost, Provost Maurie McInnis and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia-Reagins Lilly

For more than two decades, Jane Bost pioneered efforts to prevent sexual assault and interpersonal violence, enhancing the lives of many students. President Gregory L. Fenves honored her commitment with the Arno Nowotny Medal at the Faculty and Staff Awards Dinner on March 23.

As associate director and psychologist in the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), Bost started Voices Against Violence, a CMHC program that addresses sexual violence, dating violence and stalking. Last year, its interactive theater program Get Sexy. Get Consent. received a national award for educating hundreds of students about consent. In 2014, the White House identified these programs as a promising practice to address the issue of campus sexual assault. Bost also oversaw and expanded mental health promotion initiatives including the Be That One. Suicide Prevention Program and enhanced the department’s communications efforts.

Chris Brownson (Counseling and Mental Health Center), Jane Bost (retired, Counseling and Mental Health Center), Lynn Hoare (former Counseling and Mental Health Center staff member), Amissa Miller and Katy Redd (Counseling and Mental Health Center) at the 2017 NASPA Awards Luncheon

“Jane was one of the first in the country at a counseling center to hold the title of outreach coordinator and had national impact on outreach services. She has been described as one who lived and breathed service to students, especially those who were most vulnerable,” said Provost Maurie McInnis, who presented the award.

The Arno Nowotny Medal is the highest honor the university bestows on a Division of Student Affairs staff member. Since 1983, the president gives the award annually to a staff member who went above and beyond to serve students. Check out the past honorees.

[utcampuslifeupdate]

President Honors Former Vice President for Student Affairs

Executive Vice President and Provost Sharon Wood, Gage Paine and President Jay Hartzell at the Faculty and Staff Awards

A trusted advisor to generations of student leaders, Gage Paine made history as UT Austin’s first female vice president for student affairs in 2012. She dedicated 40 years to serving college students, understanding their needs and launching innovative programs, facilities and services to support them.

Now, she is receiving the highest honor bestowed on a Division of Student Affairs staff member from the university: the Arno Nowotny Medal.* President Hartzell and Executive Vice President and Provost Sharon Wood recognized Paine at the Faculty and Staff Awards on May 3 and lit the UT Tower burnt orange for the awardees.

Paine worked within The University of Texas System for nearly 20 years and served our campus for 15 years. From 1986-1997, she worked in the Office of the Dean of Students in Student Judicial Services (now Student Conduct and Academic Integrity) and in Services for Students with Disabilities, rising to the level of associate dean.

Paine (back row, second from right) with students on Thanks Day in November 2015

As vice president for student affair from 2012-2016, Paine led our diverse portfolio comprised of some of the UT Austin’s largest non-academic units. She was an early adopter of social media and effectively used it to connect with students, staff and alumni about campus issues.

“Under her outstanding leadership, many of the university’s Division of Student Affairs programs, facilities and services garnered state and national recognition. We are so pleased to recognize and celebrate Dr. Paine’s many accomplishments during her career at UT Austin,” said Wood.

Paine is also a proud Texas Exes Life Member, having earned her PhD in Educational Administration from UT Austin. Outside the Forty Acres, she held leadership roles at UT San Antonio, Trinity University, Southern Methodist University and McMurry University. After retiring from UT Austin in 2016, she founded a consulting firm designed to support higher education and non-profit leaders who want to make a difference in their organizations and communities. She’s also a leadership coach, speaker and author.

*Founded in 1983, the Arno Nowotny Medal honors the longtime dean of student life who influenced generations of students during his more than 50 years of service. The president gives the award annually to a staff member who went above and beyond to serve students. Check out the past honorees.