Sarah Weiss Awarded Brian Banks Staff Excellence Award

May 31, 2022

L-R: Caitlin Walton, Veronica Falandino, Sarah Weiss, and Brian Banks — L‑R: Caitlin Walton, Veronica Falandino, Sarah Weiss, and Brian Banks

The inaugural recipient of the Brian Banks Staff Award for Excellence is known as a “force of nature.”

Sarah Weiss, Facilities Manager at the Stamps School of Art & Design is the very first recipient of this new honor for staff members. Weiss is the point person for facilities issues in the Stamps School of Art & Design, the Faculty/Graduate Studios on Green Road and the Stamps Gallery downtown. In this capacity, she promotes safety, access, and public displays of art. Weiss says she is honored to be the first Brian Banks Staff Excellence award recipient.

“I enjoy my behind-the-scenes role, facilitating the work and art endeavors of the Stamps students, Faculty and Staff,” said Weiss. “I was surprised, and so touched, that people recognized my efforts to problem-solve and create welcoming, functioning spaces. Stamps has such a remarkable community and I feel fortunate to be involved in supporting the people and the mission.”

The Brian Banks Staff Excellence award was established in 2022 by an anonymous donor in honor of the exceptional example set by longtime Stamps staff member Brian Banks. The award is awarded annually to a current staff member “…who embodies the characteristics that Brian exemplified during his tenure, in recognition of their significant contributions to creating community at the Stamps School.”

Weiss was selected after a nomination process that included other outstanding colleagues from the Stamps School. Veronica Falandino, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Admissions and Student Services, and Caitlin Walton, business manager were both nominated for their important contributions to the Stamps School.

Banks is proud of his colleagues for being recognized by their peers with this new staff award.

“I am so humbled to have a staff award named in honor of me. Stamps is a special place for many reasons, and the staff here are a big part of why it is so,” said Banks. “The staff is dedicated to helping students, faculty and our entire community thrive. I am happy to have spent 23 years serving alongside these absolutely amazing people.”

Banks joined the Stamps School of Art & Design in 1998 as a student services assistant, then academic advisor, and most recently as Diversity and Inclusion Advisor. Banks is retiring on June 1, 2022, after 39 years of service to the university.