TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a campus ecosystem powered by thousands of dedicated educators, researchers, administrators, and support staff, standing out requires a rare blend of innovation, reliability, and unwavering commitment to the student body. This year, the sheer magnitude and exceptional caliber of nominations submitted for Florida State University’s most prestigious staff accolade prompted a rare distinction.
President Richard McCullough announced that the 2026 Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award will be shared by two extraordinary professionals whose daily contributions have fundamentally elevated the university experience: Emily McClellan Lopez, student engagement coordinator for FSU University Libraries, and James "Jim" Pfohl, scientific research specialist at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
The Max Carraway Employee of the Year Award is reserved for individuals who epitomize customer-focused values, consistently going above and beyond their standard job descriptions to make measurable, lasting contributions to the university community. While the award traditionally singles out a single staff member, the unprecedented volume and overwhelming praise contained in this year’s nomination pool led university leadership to honor two co-recipients, each representing a vital pillar of the modern academic institution: student advocacy and operational research support.
Executive Overview: A Dual Standard of Excellence
The selection of Lopez and Pfohl underscores the diverse ways staff members drive FSU’s overarching mission of academic distinction, student success, and cutting-edge research. While Lopez operates in the highly visible, dynamic realm of student engagement and campus-wide resource literacy, Pfohl works behind the scenes as an indispensable anchor for complex scientific inquiry, ensuring that physical laboratories and high-stakes research facilities run with seamless precision.
Renisha Gibbs, associate vice president for Human Resources and chief of staff for Finance and Administration, emphasized the extraordinary nature of this year’s selection process.
"The exceptional quality and quantity of nominations this year reflect the remarkable caliber of employees at FSU," Gibbs noted. "Emily Lopez and Jim Pfohl were selected from an outstanding group of nominees and exemplify the service excellence this award celebrates. They remind us that the heartbeat of this institution is found in the daily dedication of our people."
By bridging the gap between student success and operational infrastructure, Lopez and Pfohl embody the spirit of Max Carraway—a legacy defined by institutional pride, selfless service, and an uncompromising commitment to the Florida State community.
Detailed Chronology: Impact in Action
To understand why Lopez and Pfohl were chosen from a sprawling pool of university talent, one must examine the specific scope of their achievements over the past year—a period marked by ambitious programming, logistical hurdles, and high-stakes problem-solving.
Emily McClellan Lopez: Transforming Library Spaces into Hubs of Connection
In her role as student engagement coordinator for FSU University Libraries, Emily McClellan Lopez has redefined how students interact with one of the university’s most vital intellectual assets. Rather than viewing the library merely as a quiet repository for books, Lopez has championed it as an active, welcoming community hub designed to foster belonging and academic resilience.
Over the past year alone, Lopez’s output has been staggering. She spearheaded an impressive 132 library-focused programs while actively contributing to 61 additional campus initiatives. Her workload requires a rare mix of creative vision and rigorous project management, particularly during high-traffic transitional periods for the university.
A prime example of her institutional impact is her leadership in orientation programming. Over the course of the academic year, Lopez played an instrumental role in engaging more than 17,000 incoming students and their family members. By introducing these stakeholders to the exhaustive array of services, databases, and support systems available within FSU University Libraries, she helped lay the groundwork for student retention and academic confidence from day one.
Beyond large-scale events, Lopez’s impact is felt in her day-to-day interactions. Colleagues frequently highlight her talent for mentoring student employees, cultivating professional development pathways that empower undergraduates long after they leave her team.
James "Jim" Pfohl: Engineering Continuity in the Face of Complexity
While Lopez commands the public-facing sphere of student engagement, James "Jim" Pfohl operates as a master strategist in the technical domain. As a scientific research specialist at the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences—affectionately known on campus as "Anne’s College"—Pfohl is tasked with managing complex laboratory spaces, specialized equipment, and the operational needs of faculty, staff, and graduate researchers.
Pfohl’s value to the university was demonstrated in dramatic fashion during the spring of 2026. Faced with major laboratory renovations and the pressing need to relocate specialized, highly sensitive facilities, Pfohl engineered and executed a logistical masterclass.
During Spring Break 2026—a time when standard campus operations pause—Pfohl successfully coordinated the safe, meticulous transfer of approximately $500,000 worth of sensitive research equipment. His precision planning and hands-on execution ensured that the transition caused zero downtime for ongoing research projects. Faculty members and doctoral candidates who rely on these laboratories were able to resume their critical investigations immediately upon the start of classes, avoiding costly delays and protecting vulnerable data.
Colleagues note that Pfohl’s contributions extend far beyond scheduled relocations. Whether responding to facility emergencies, troubleshooting malfunctioning hardware, or consulting on lab design, Pfohl is celebrated for his calm demeanor, deep resourcefulness, and a "whatever it takes" attitude.
Supporting Context & Metrics: Measuring the Unquantifiable
While awards of this magnitude are ultimately about human impact, the metrics behind Lopez and Pfohl’s nominations offer a quantitative window into their extraordinary dedication.
Metric / Milestone
Emily McClellan Lopez
James "Jim" Pfohl
Primary Department
FSU University Libraries
Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Core Focus
Student engagement, programming, literacy
Laboratory management, research infrastructure, operations
Management of multi-facility lab networks and high-risk environments
Scale of Reach
Over 17,000 students and family members oriented
Entire college research apparatus; $500,000 equipment relocation
Key Distinction
Scaled creative student-support frameworks
Maintained zero research downtime during major facility moves
The juxtaposition of these metrics highlights the dual engines driving Florida State University forward: a student-centric cultural framework championed by professionals like Lopez, and an elite research infrastructure sustained by operational specialists like Pfohl. Together, they create an environment where learners are supported from the moment they step onto campus to the moment they enter advanced laboratory research.
Official Statements: Gratitude and Institutional Pride
The announcement of the 2026 Max Carraway awards brought forth heartfelt reflections from both recipients, who used the moment to credit their colleagues, mentors, and loved ones.
Reflecting on her recognition, Emily McClellan Lopez expressed deep humility:
"Receiving this recognition as a library employee is an honor and a privilege. Finding creative, innovative ways to connect students to our resources and offer support is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work. I owe this honor to my family, friends, educators, and mentors for their endless support, as well as my library colleagues who have worked hard to keep our exceptional library a welcoming space for the community."
Similarly, James "Jim" Pfohl voiced his astonishment and gratitude upon learning he had been selected by President McCullough:
"I am overwhelmed and humbled by this incredible recognition. Receiving this award is a testament to the unwavering support and the incredible opportunities I have been given here at Florida State University and Anne’s College. It serves as a reminder of the amazing people I have the privilege of working with every day. Thank you all for this incredible honor."
University administrators view recipients like Lopez and Pfohl as vital embodiments of FSU’s core values. In an institution striving continuously for academic preeminence, the intangible contributions of empathetic, proactive staff members form the bedrock upon which all teaching, learning, and discovery take place.
Future Outlook: Setting the Bar for Institutional Culture
As Florida State University looks toward the future, the standard set by Emily McClellan Lopez and James Pfohl serves as a benchmark for excellence across all departments. Their recognition sends a clear message to the broader campus community: innovation, collaboration, and relentless dedication to the student and research experience are noticed, valued, and celebrated at the highest levels of the university.
The impact of their work will continue to ripple outward. For Lopez, the frameworks she has built for student orientation and library programming will welcome successive waves of incoming FSU students, ensuring they feel anchored and supported throughout their academic journeys. For Pfohl, the robust, reliable laboratory infrastructure he maintains will continue to empower researchers in Anne’s College to push the boundaries of health, education, and human sciences.
In honoring Emily McClellan Lopez and James Pfohl, Florida State University does not merely celebrate two exceptional employees; it reaffirms its commitment to cultivating a campus culture where dedication is recognized, excellence is expected, and every staff member is empowered to make a profound difference.
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