Gleason Performing Arts Center Production Engineer Ed Dunne was named Most Valuable Panther for October 2025.
In announcing the award, the Office of Human Resources said
“Ed Dunne began his career as a Panther in 2022 at Gleason Performing Arts Center. It did not take long for his commitment to quality to be noticed by his manager and others on campus. His dedication to service is exemplary, whether he is leading the execution of large-scale productions, ensuring the ongoing reliability of technical systems or providing mentorship and support to colleagues across multiple departments. Dunne approaches every challenge with professionalism, patience and an unwavering commitment to helping others achieve success. His work ethic and generosity reflect the very best of our university’s values.
Dunne consistently demonstrates an exceptional commitment to quality that sets the benchmark for our department and the university as a whole. He approaches every responsibility with precision, foresight and a standard of excellence that elevates the work. His expertise ensures that events at the Performing Arts Center run seamlessly, reflecting a level of professionalism and polish that enhances the university’s reputation.
Dunne’s dedication to quality extends well beyond technical skill. He takes the time to understand the unique objectives of each project. His proactive problem-solving, combined with a continuous drive for improvement, ensures that no detail is overlooked. The frequent and unsolicited praise he receives from clients, audiences and colleagues speaks directly to the pride he takes in his work and the extraordinary outcomes he delivers. Through his efforts, Dunne transforms every event into an exceptional experience for all involved.
For Dunne, going above and beyond is the standard by which he operates. He consistently invests his time, energy and expertise well beyond the scope of his formal responsibilities to ensure both the success of our events and the satisfaction of those he serves. Whether working late into the night to perfect a production, troubleshooting complex technical challenges under pressure or mentoring students and colleagues with patience and care, Dunne demonstrates an unwavering commitment to excellence. His readiness to step in wherever he is needed, even in areas outside his primary role, underscores his selflessness and his deep sense of responsibility to the university community. He recently responded to a plea for help at the newly remodeled Hartley Room. Within minutes, he was digging through wires and found the issue. While it was a small thing, no one thought to look as deep as Dunne did.
Dunne’s approach consistently transforms challenges into opportunities, and his contributions result in memorable, high-quality experiences for our campus and the broader community. This makes Ed Dunne our Most Valuable Panther.”
Nominations are requested for the Most Valuable Panther program, which recognizes employees who embody the university’s standards for innovation as demonstrated by their excellence and quality service. Please include specific and concrete details; give an example. How exactly does the nominee benefit the organizational unit, department or university?
Providing specific examples, numbers, facts and/or anecdotes about the candidate’s contributions will help clearly paint the picture of why the individual deserves to be recognized. Submit nominations by Nov. 20, 2025.
