Staff Awards

Dragan Mejic honored with Chancellor's Employee of the Year Award

Susan Glairon — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:35:45 +0000

Dragan Mejic honored with Chancellor's Employee of the Year Award Susan Glairon Wed, 01/28/2026 - 10:35

Dragan Mejic is the Instrument Shop Supervisor for Chemical and Biological Engineering, whose expert machining, welding and equipment design directly support student learning and cutting-edge faculty research. A trusted, positive presence in the department, he also advocates for state employees through volunteer leadership with the Secure PERA coalition.

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Deb Renshaw receives Chancellor's Employee of the Year award

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 16:03:46 +0000

Deb Renshaw receives Chancellor's Employee of the Year award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/26/2023 - 10:03

Susan Glairon

Deb Renshaw, senior academic advisor for the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, has been honored with the Chancellor's Employee of the Year award. The award is presented every fall to CU ��ý�� staff members, recognizing exceptional job performance and distinguished contributions to the campus community.

"Knowing that my colleagues took the time to nominate me and provide all the supporting information required for this award is amazing," said Renshaw, who joined the CEAS academic advising team in 2012. "Receiving this award is a total honor; feeling the wonderful accolades from my colleagues is the best."

While Renshaw advises chemical and biological engineering, and aerospace engineering undergraduate students, Renshaw's educational and professional background is diverse.

After earning a doctorate, Renshaw taught technical writing and computer applications at Western Michigan and Grambling State Universities. Subsequently, Renshaw returned to education as a student to earn a second master’s degree in counseling psychology and established a private psychotherapy and mediation practice in Washington state. Renshaw then transitioned to the role of senior staff counselor at the University of Vermont, assisting both undergraduate and graduate students. While at UVM, Renshaw graduated from the Vermont State Fire Academy and joined the Essex Junction Fire Department as a firefighter/first responder. Renshaw’s journey also led to being communication director for a defense subcontractor working with the Navy and later graduation from the Georgia Police Academy.

"I’m ready to be here at CU ��ý�� for another decade or so," Renshaw said. "Thank you all from the bottom of my heart."

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Shop manager celebrates 15 years service

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 22:30:39 +0000

Shop manager celebrates 15 years service Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/07/2017 - 15:30

Congratulations to Dragan Mejic, shop manager and instrument fabricator for the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, on 15 years of service to the department.

Dragan supports the department’s research programs by helping faculty, postdocs and graduate students create mechanical and electronic equipment. He and the shop staff assess the researchers’ goals, make suggestions and fabricate the needed equipment. An expert in precision machining, welding and assembly, he is also responsible for purchasing materials and maintaining machine shop equipment and tools.

“I like the fact that we are always doing something different and working for people who are dedicated to science and learning,” Dragan said.

He joined the department on Dec. 27, 2001.

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2016 Department Awards Ceremony Honorees

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 22:21:48 +0000

2016 Department Awards Ceremony Honorees Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/06/2016 - 16:21

Congratulations to our 2016 Department Awards Ceremony honorees!

Undergraduate Student Awards

Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence (CHEN)	Dennis Shi
Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence (CBEN)	Rachel Berezin
Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence (CBEN)	Nicholas Monteleone
Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence (CBEN)	Michaela Wenning
Kazuko Boe Junior Academic Achievement (CHEN)	Benjamin Greuel
Kazuko Boe Junior Academic Achievement (CBEN)	Brett Jeffrey
Alan D. Randolph Outstanding Award for Outstanding Student from the Western Slope (CHEN)	Ryan Schoeber
Alan D. Randolph Outstanding Award for Outstanding Student from the Western Slope (CBEN)	Taylor Kontour
Marilyn and Howard L. Anseth Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award	Austin Drake
Genentech Outstanding Student Award	Jace Blackburn
American Institute of Chemists Undergraduate Award	Michael Mulder
Outstanding Senior	Andrew Weidner
Clough-Weimer Most Improved Student Award	Tyler Duvendack
Clough-Weimer Most Improved Student Award	Garrison Vigil
Distinguished Senior (CHEN)	Andrew Weidner
Distinguished Senior (CBEN)	Clare Wise
Undergraduate Research Awards - Bronze	Megan Maguire
Undergraduate Research Awards - Silver	Benjamin Grote
Undergraduate Research Awards - Gold	Nicholas Bongiardina
Peer Mentor Award	Hannah Kim

Graduate Student / Postdoc Awards

American Institute of Chemists Postdoc Award	Matthew Cowan
American Institute of Chemists Graduate Student Award	Brian Ehrhart
American Institute of Chemists Graduate Student Faculty Leadership Award	Elizabeth Aisenbrey
Max S. Peters Outstanding Graduate Award	Chern-Hooi Lim
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department for Improving the Department Community	Colleen Courtney
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department for Improving the Department Community	Michael Brasino
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Volunteering	Christopher Bartel
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Volunteering	William McNeary
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Mentoring	Alaksh Choudhury
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Mentoring	Jeremiah Traeger
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Professional Development	Garrett Chado
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Recruiting	Danielle Konetski

Faculty Awards

Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Faculty Award	Chris Bowman
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Faculty Award	Adam Holewinski
Faculty Mentor Award	Janet deGrazia

Staff Awards

ChBE Employee Recognition Award

Lauren Miremont

Alumni Awards

Distinguished Mentor Award

Bart Carpenter

Congratulations to our 2016 Department Awards Ceremony honorees!

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Lauren Miremont named Employee of the Month

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 06:00:00 +0000

Lauren Miremont named Employee of the Month Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/22/2016 - 00:00

Congratulations to Lauren Miremont, the April 2016 CEAS Employee of the Month!

Since joining the department as its financial manager in 2014, Lauren has become instrumental in providing award, budgeting and expenditures support.

“I was already aware of Lauren’s valuable role in the department,” said ChBE Chair Dan Schwartz, “but in reading the many enthusiastic nominations for her, I learned she is providing assistance and support for a wide range of people in many ways that I hadn’t fully appreciated. It is clear that many of us greatly value Lauren’s expertise, her initiative and her positive attitude.”

A CU ��ý�� alumna with a BA in history and a minor in political science, Lauren also has an MS in Accounting from CU Denver and is a certified public accountant.

Congratulations to Lauren Miremont, the April 2016 CEAS Employee of the Month!

Since joining the department as its financial manager in 2014, Lauren has become instrumental in providing award, budgeting and expenditures support.

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2015 Department Awards Ceremony Honorees

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 06:00:00 +0000

2015 Department Awards Ceremony Honorees Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/15/2015 - 00:00

Congratulations to all the honorees at the 2015 Department Awards Banquet!

Undergraduate Student Awards

Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence (CHEN)	Sergio Berdeja
Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence (CHEN)	Benjamin Greuel
Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence (CBEN)	Thomas Fitzsimons
Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence (CBEN)	Jane Song
Kazuko Boe Junior Academic Achievement (CHEN)	Andrew Weidner
Kazuko Boe Junior Academic Achievement (CBEN)	Austin Drake
Alan D. Randolph Outstanding Award for Outstanding Student from the Western Slope (CHEN)	Ryan Schoeber
Alan D. Randolph Outstanding Award for Outstanding Student from the Western Slope (CBEN)	Taylor Kontour
Marilyn and Howard L. Anseth Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award	Eric Nehls
Genentech Outstanding Student Award	Daniel Kinzie
American Institute of Chemists Undergraduate Award	Mari Leivan
Outstanding Senior	Jeni Sorli
Clough-Weimer Most Improved Student Award	Lukas Johnson
Distinguished Senior (CHEN)	Merritt Diaz
Distinguished Senior (CBEN)	Emma Schumacher
Undergraduate Research Awards - Bronze	Meagan Kohls
Undergraduate Research Awards - Silver	Tessa Melli
Undergraduate Research Awards - Gold	Caitlin Jones
Undergraduate Research Awards - Gold	Eric Nehls

Graduate Student / Postdoc Awards

American Institute of Chemists Postdoc Award	Omer Yehezkeli
American Institute of Chemists Graduate Student Award	Josh Mabry
American Institute of Chemists Graduate Student Faculty Leadership Award	Danielle Konetski
Max S. Peters Outstanding Graduate Award	Christopher Muhich
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Community	Alia Lubers
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Mentoring	Aaron Aziz
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Professional Development	Stanley Chu
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Professional Development	Katherine Macri
Recognition of Graduate Students Service to the Department - Recruiting	Danielle Konetski

Faculty Awards

Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Faculty Award	Janet deGrazia
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Faculty Award	Dan Schwartz
Faculty Mentor Award	Janet deGrazia

Staff Awards

2014 ChBE Employee Recognition Award

Deb Renshaw

Alumni Awards

Distinguished Mentor Award

Juliane Surfus

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Deb Renshaw Wins 2015 ChBE Employee Recognition Award

Anonymous — Wed, 13 May 2015 06:00:00 +0000

Deb Renshaw Wins 2015 ChBE Employee Recognition Award Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/13/2015 - 00:00

The 2015 ChBE Employee Recognition Award was presented to Deb Renshaw for outstanding commitment to the department’s undergraduate students. As the department's undergraduate advisor, Renshaw works with students on all aspects of their academic and professional development.

“It is obvious that Deb is exceptionally dedicated and cares deeply about our students,” says department Chair Dan Schwartz.

Renshaw is also a leader amongst the advisors within the college and across the CU ��ý�� campus with respect to developing and implementing new methods, processes and strategies related to student advising.

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Maria Toscano-Leary Receives 2014 Employee Recognition Award

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 06:00:00 +0000

Maria Toscano-Leary Receives 2014 Employee Recognition Award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/24/2014 - 00:00

Electronics engineer Maria Toscano-Leary was chosen as the winner of the 2014 ChBE Employee Recognition Award.

Toscano-Leary works with students and faculty to design, build, and repair electronic instruments for research and educational purposes. She is an incredibly dedicated member of the department’s technical staff and a total professional in everything she does.

Over the years Toscano-Leary has repeatedly demonstrated that she sincerely cares about the students, staff, and faculty with whom she interacts. Her willingness to go the extra mile as a team player is truly appreciated by the department.

Electronics engineer Maria Toscano-Leary was chosen as the winner of the 2014 ChBE Employee Recognition Award.

Toscano-Leary works with students and faculty to design, build, and repair electronic instruments for research and educational purposes.

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Jen Gifford Receives April 2013 Staff Appreciation Award

Anonymous — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:00:00 +0000

Jen Gifford Receives April 2013 Staff Appreciation Award Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/24/2013 - 00:00

Congratulations to Assistant to the Chair Jen Gifford, who received the April 2013 Staff Appreciation Award from the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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Dominique DeVangel Receives April 2012 Staff Appreciation Award

Anonymous — Tue, 01 May 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Dominique DeVangel Receives April 2012 Staff Appreciation Award Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 05/01/2012 - 00:00

Congratulations to Graduate Advisor Dominique DeVangel, who received the April 2012 Staff Appreciation Award from the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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