Celebrating the 2025 APPA Award Winners

At this year’s Spring Conference in New Orleans, APPA proudly honored the 2025 APPA Award recipients during the Awards and Business Meeting on the final day. Four individuals and five institutions were recognized for their exceptional contributions to educational facilities management. Here’s a recap of the remarkable honorees and their achievements.

Meritorious Service Award

APPA’s highest individual honor, the Meritorious Service Award, recognizes members who have made significant, lifelong contributions to the profession of educational facilities management. This year, two outstanding individuals received this prestigious award:

Patty Smith (ERAPPA)

A dedicated member for 36 years, Patty is from Villanova University’s Cabrini Campus. She has served in a wide range of roles within APPA, ERAPPA, and NJAPPA, including her recent tenure as President of ERAPPA in 2024.

Dave Maharrey (SRAPPA)

From Mississippi State University, Dave has been an active member for over 12 years, contributing extensively within SRAPPA and the Mississippi Chapter.

Pacesetter Award

The Pacesetter Award encourages ongoing engagement by recognizing individuals who have already made substantial contributions in a short time.

Mary Grube (ERAPPA)

An eight-year member from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Mary has held leadership roles on the MD/DC APPA Chapter Board, ERAPPA Board, and the APPA Professional Development Committee. She currently serves as President-Elect for ERAPPA.

Mallica Reynolds (SRAPPA)

Representing Nova Southeastern University, Mallica has been a member for seven years and is part of APPA’s Member Engagement Team. His leadership led to the region’s largest member renewal and the highest number of new school recruits, significantly expanding APPA’s reach.

Effective and Innovative Practices Award

Princeton University (ERAPPA) earned this award for its Sanitation Data Collection and Analysis Program—a data-driven solution that enhances sanitation services using ArcGIS QuickCapture, an ESRI mobile app.

Princeton streamlined operations through real-time analysis by capturing key data points like pickup times, bin types, and service issues. This initiative informed bin placements, optimized staffing and scheduling, and significantly improved campus cleanliness. The program has not only reduced waste overflow and saved time for staff but also provided a scalable and adaptable model for other institutions.

Sustainability Innovation Award

Nova Southeastern University (SRAPPA) was recognized for its groundbreaking NSU Central Energy Plant Conversion and Expansion Project – Sharks on Ice.

Through this initiative, NSU transitioned to using reclaimed water, drastically reducing its reliance on domestic water. Since 2021, the university has saved nearly 23 million gallons of domestic water annually, using over 36.6 million gallons of reclaimed water. Economically, the university now saves more than $280,000 annually in water costs, achieving full ROI within just 19 months. Environmentally, the project has helped lower NSU’s carbon footprint and reduce stress on freshwater resources.

Award for Excellence in Facilities Management (AFE)

APPA’s highest institutional honor, the Award for Excellence in Facilities Management, was presented to three universities for their exemplary leadership and innovation in facilities operations.

Emory University (SRAPPA)

Emory was honored for its holistic approach to facilities management, encompassing efficient energy use, modern maintenance systems, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Its campus reflects excellence in strategic planning, technological integration, and environmental stewardship.

Nova Southeastern University (SRAPPA)

NSU stood out for its integration of data-driven decision-making within its facilities operations. Using tools like Schooldude / Brightly CMMS, Ariba, and Alerton, the university tracks KPIs across energy use, maintenance, and user satisfaction. With an emphasis on ROI, NSU ensures strategic alignment and transparency, even in emergency scenarios, through a robust business continuity plan.

Motto: “We create the Environment where Research, Learning, and Community take place.”

University of Florida Facilities Services (SRAPPA)

UF Facilities Services oversees over 12.5 million sq. ft. across its campuses and health science center. Employing a data-informed and future-focused strategy, the team addresses deferred maintenance, supports institutional growth, and drives innovation. Through enhanced transparency and feedback systems, they’ve earned increased stakeholder trust and additional funding for continued improvements.

Congratulations!

APPA celebrates the achievements and contributions of all the 2025 award winners. Your dedication continues to inspire excellence in educational facilities management.