Established in 1986 as the Chancellor’s Exemplary Service to Students Award and renamed in 2006 as the James V. Griesen Exemplary Service to Students Award, this award acknowledges extraordinary and sustained performance by individuals serving Nebraska students. All UNL employees are eligible for nomination, and nominations may be made by a UNL student, faculty member, staff member or administrator. The following individuals have received this honorable distinction.
| Year | Honoree | College/Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Amy Goodburn | Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor |
| 2023 | Deepak Keshwani | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2022 | Ann Marie Pollard Pat Tetreault | Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts LGBTQA+ Center & Women's Center |
| 2021 | Susan Moore | Student Advocacy & Support |
| 2020 | John Lenich Carrie Fitzwater | College of Law University Housing |
| 2019 | Roger Hoy | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2018 | Nicole Smith | College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources |
| 2017 | Kelly Payne Jan Deeds | English Women's Center |
| 2016 | Linda Schwartzkopf | Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life |
| 2015 | Jake Kirkland | Office of Academic Success & Intercultural Services |
| 2014 | Michael Goff | Journalism |
| 2013 | Vicki Highstreet | Campus Recreation |
| 2012 | Aaron Duncan | Communication Studies |
| 2011 | Rosalee Swartz | Women & Gender Studies |
| 2010 | Leslie Marquart | Chemistry |
| 2009 | Charles Riedesel | Computer Science |
| 2008 | Reshell Ray | Student Involvement |
| 2007 | Susan K. Voss | College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources |
| 2006 | Barb Wright-Chollet Don Gregory | Student Affairs General Education |
| 2005 | Linda Moody | Center for Civic Engagement |
| 2004 | Dennis Leblanc | Athletics |
| 2003 | William Lyons | College of Law |
| 2002 | James Griesen | Student Affairs |
| 2001 | Mark Powell | Agricultural Research |
| 2000 | Pat McBride | Student Affairs |
| 1999 | Jay Fitzgerald | Agronomy |
| 1998 | Robert Bergstrom | English |
| 1997 | Ann Kopera | Arts & Sciences |
| 1996 | Keith Zimmer | Athletics |
| 1995 | Dorothy McEwen | Anthropology |
| 1994 | Ann Pettus | |
| 1993 | Joseph Kraus | Music |
| 1992 | Patrice Berger | Honors Program |
| 1991 | Jayne Wade Anderson | |
| 1990 | Margaret Nellis | |
| 1989 | Sam Treves | Geology |
| 1988 | Helen Moore | Sociology |
| 1987 | Luis Diaz-Perdomo | Counseling & Psychological Services |
| 1986 | Shirley Thomsen |