FROSTBURG — Frostburg State University honored Carl Haas, Lori Kimble and Brandon Blank with Staff Awards for Excellence at an FSU Welcome Back Celebration held on Sept. 10. The annual awards recognize exceptional service to the institution. Recipients are nominated and chosen by their colleagues.
Haas serves in two key roles within FSU Athletics as an assistant men’s lacrosse coach and equipment room coordinator. In addition to his responsibilities as a coach, recruiter and defensive coordinator, Haas oversees equipment and laundry operations for the university’s 25 varsity sports and supervises nearly a dozen student workers. He also leads the men’s lacrosse team’s Bobcat Bros mentorship program, which pairs incoming students with returning student-athletes to help build relationships and foster a sense of belonging.
Haas’s nominators praised his professionalism, dedication and commitment to student-athletes, colleagues and the University community. His work extends well beyond his formal responsibilities, from improving equipment and laundry operations to mentoring student-athletes and helping build a strong team culture.
Kimble, executive administrative assistant in the College of Education, Behavioral and Health Professions, was recognized for her exceptional service, leadership and commitment to continuous professional growth. She provides critical support to faculty, staff and college leadership and has served as a steady presence through organizational changes and leadership transitions. Her nominators praised her professionalism, adaptability and dedication to helping others succeed.
A graduate of the inaugural Administrative Development and Professional Training cohort in 2023, Kimble has served on the ADAPT Steering Committee since 2024 and recently became chair of the Campus Resource Guide Workgroup. She has also embraced emerging technologies, developing resources to help colleagues use Microsoft Copilot and artificial intelligence more effectively and preparing to lead an ADAPT professional development session on the topic.
Blank, a maintenance aid II in the Office of Residence Life, was recognized for his exceptional dedication, leadership and service to the university community. Since 2022, he has been responsible for residential furniture maintenance, inventory and distribution while also supporting the maintenance needs of 10 residence halls. During the past year, Blank coordinated one of the largest furniture relocation projects in recent years, overseeing the movement of thousands of pieces of furniture from Brownsville and Westminster Halls while continuing his regular responsibilities. His planning and leadership helped the University save tens of thousands of dollars by completing the work internally.
Blank also expanded his leadership responsibilities by supervising a crew of six student employees during the summer. His work consistently centers on the student experience, from ensuring residence halls are safely and appropriately furnished to working directly with students during furniture replacements and relocations.
Recipients of the Staff Awards for Excellence are given a plaque, a certificate commemorating their dedication and a monetary award, all funded by the FSU Foundation.