Mayor to Present June 2025 Award of Excellence

Published on November 03, 2025

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today will present the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for June 2025 to Wade Noll, Assistant Athletics Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Department. The award will be presented at 3 p.m. at the beginning of the City Council meeting at the County-City Building, 555 S. 10th Street. The award recognizes City employees who consistently provide exemplary service and work that demonstrates personal commitment to Lincoln.

Noll was nominated by Ryan Mohling, Athletics Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Department, in the categories of Community Engagement, Civic Innovation and Cultural Vitality for his work organizing the Lincoln Youth Track and Field Meet.

In his nomination, Mohling wrote that Noll’s work to promote and manage the track meet helped to more than double the number of participants and volunteers for the event.

“Wade Noll has not only sustained, but grown, an important community tradition. His dedication, creativity, and leadership have enriched the lives of hundreds of Lincoln's youth, and his example has reinvigorated the spirit of collaboration among Nebraska Recreation and Parks Association members statewide,” Mohling wrote.

The categories in which employees can be nominated are:

Community Engagement – Fostering community member involvement and participation in local governance
Sustainability and Resilience – Promoting environmental stewardship and strengthening the City’s sustainability efforts
Inclusion and Belonging – Advancing equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging within City government and our community
Public Health and Safety – Enhancing public health, safety, and emergency preparedness
Economic Opportunity – Supporting local businesses, workforce development, and economic growth
Education and Lifelong Learning – Expanding educational opportunities and promoting lifelong learning
Civic Innovation – Creating and implementing new solutions that improve municipal services
Youth Empowerment – Encouraging young leaders and increasing youth involvement in the community
Cultural Vitality – Enriching Lincoln’s cultural landscape through the arts, historic preservation, and storytelling
Fiscal Stewardship – Demonstrating exemplary management of public resources through efficiency and accountability
Customer Service Excellence – Providing outstanding service to residents and enhancing their experience with City services
Valor and Bravery – Displaying extraordinary courage and dedication in the line of duty

Consideration also may be given to nominations that demonstrate self-initiated accomplishments or those completed outside of the nominee’s job description. All City employees are eligible for the award except for elected and appointed officials.

Individuals or teams can be nominated by supervisors, peers, subordinates, and the public. Nomination forms are available at lincoln.ne.gov/awardofexcellence or from department heads, employee bulletin boards or the Human Resources Department, which oversees the awards program.

All nominations are considered by the Mayor’s Award of Excellence Committee, which includes a representative with each union and a non-union representative appointed by the Mayor. Award winners receive a $100 gift certificate, a day off with pay and a certificate. All monthly winners and nominees are eligible to receive the annual award, which comes with a $500 gift certificate, two days off with pay and a certificate.