Dean's Circle of Care Award

Dean Kate Mamiseishvili, right, presents Susan Patton with the 2026 Dean's Circle of Care Award.

The Dean's Circle of Care Award recognizes friends and supporters who exemplify extraordinary care for the college and display abundant generosity with their time, guidance and support.

Dean's Circle of Care Award 2026 Recipient

The 2026 recipient is Susan Patton, Ph.D., former executive director of the college's Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, for advocating for and selflessly contributing her time and resources to the college and serving as a strategic thought partner to the dean. She was honored at the college's spring awards banquet.

Gary Stark, Ed.D., was the 2025 honoree. Throughout his 30-year career in education, he worked in schools, universities, government, and public and private philanthropy. He currently is a senior advisor for K-12 education at Walton Personal Philanthropy Group.

The inaugural award was presented in 2024 to Dean Emeritus Reed Greenwood, Ed.D. He served as the dean of the College of Education and Health Professions from 2001 to 2009 and retired in 2014 after a 35-year career with the U of A.