The Most Valuable Panther (MVP) program recognizes employees who embody the university’s standards for innovation as demonstrated by their passion, dedication, and excellent service.
Florida Tech’s MVP Winner - March 2026
Tom Stewart embodies "Panther for Life" through a 32-year career defined by an unwavering commitment to the Florida Tech community. Arriving in April 1994, he has transitioned from managing the outdated, 250-seat Evans Hall to overseeing a modern, multi-unit dining operation that serves as the heartbeat of campus life. His tenure is marked by a rare blend of visionary infrastructure planning and a deeply personal dedication to the well-being of every student, faculty member, and staff person who walks through his doors. Tom’s legacy is defined by his active role in expanding the university’s footprint and fostering a sense of community through food.
Stewart had significant input in the design of the Panther Dining Hall, advocating for an open floor plan with diverse culinary stations (Wok, Pizza, Pasta, Deli, and Home Style). This eliminated the traditional "military-style" tray lines, allowing students to navigate freely and socialize.
Under his leadership, dining services grew from serving fewer than 400 students to over 2,600 today. He successfully launched vital social hubs, including the Rathskeller (a pizza delivery and game room hub) and the conversion of the Black Cats Cafe into a high-traffic center-campus pizza shop. He also partnered with a sushi company to produce 300 fresh boxes daily on campus, meeting student demand for "brand-name" quality and variety without needing a full-scale franchise build-out.
He transformed the dining hall into a venue for cultural education through the Global Kitchens series. Under his guidance, the "Paris" event won a national award, and these events continue to act as a "front door" for the university, attracting hundreds of community members to campus.
Stewart’s commitment to quality extends beyond the plate; it encompasses the financial security of his team and the satisfaction of the student body. He was instrumental in redesigning meal plans to offer "unlimited service." By moving away from restrictive weekly meal counts, he ensured students have constant, flexible access to high-quality nutrition.
Stewart has fostered a culture of extreme loyalty, managing a staff of 120 with remarkable retention rates. He successfully lobbied to raise staff wages, making Florida Tech a leader in hospitality pay in Brevard County.
Unlike commercial restaurants, Stewart guarantees his staff a 40-hour week regardless of seasonal lulls. This commitment to his team has led to a culture of longevity, where he works alongside legends like Peggy Zinsmeister (35 years) and Mike Ducatte (34 years).
Stewart’s most profound impact is seen in his innovative problem-solving and his leadership during times of crisis. Recognizing that "compostable" trays were ineffective due to a lack of local facilities, Stewart introduced 5,000 reusable OZZI "green boxes." His "box or card" exchange system was so successful that he served as a consultant for Virginia Tech to help them implement similar models.
He also holds a legendary record of maintaining service through numerous hurricanes. He developed a system of "survival bags" filled with water and convenience foods distributed to students sheltering in place to ensure they are fed even when it is unsafe to leave their dorms.
These exemplary efforts and outstanding accomplishments make Tom Stewart our Most Valuable Panther.
MVP Award Benefits
The MVP of any given month wins:
- A designated MVP parking space for the month during normal business hours
- A short write-up recognizing the MVP in the Florida Tech Weekly enewsletter
- Four hours added to the MVP's vacation balance
- A Panther Dining Hall Meal added to the MVP's account
Past MVP Winners
View past MVP Winners on Florida Tech's News website
MVP Award Criteria
A nominee for the MVP award may be a full- or part-time employee and meet these basic requirements in order to be eligible:
- Must have been employed at Florida Tech for no less than one full year
- Cannot have been selected as MVP within the prior 12 months
- Has no documented corrective action on file with HR within the past six months
Any eligible employee may be nominated more than once, however, will only be eligible to win the award once within a twelve (12) month period.
To be considered, a nominee must have demonstrated extraordinary service to the university during the 60 days prior to their nomination. Examples of contributions that may warrant MVP honors include:
- An outstanding accomplishment with significant benefit to the Florida Tech community
- Extraordinary service to colleagues and/or external community members
- Demonstrating exceptional leadership and/or initiative
- Exemplary efforts to nurture a climate of care, concern and civility
- Creative innovations to service, process, or work tools
- Exhibiting and modeling a relentlessly positive attitude toward work responsibilities, co-workers and customers
- Extraordinary commitment to quality
- Taking initiative and embracing responsibilities beyond regular job assignments
MVP Award Nomination Procedure
Nominations may be made by anyone with an active affiliation with the university (i.e. staff, faculty, administrator, student worker). The nominator does not have to be the nominee's supervisor or superior; however, the nominator must have direct knowledge of the employee’s contributions.
- Complete the MVP nomination form
- Submit to MVP nominating committee by the 15th day of the month
MVP Selection Committee and Process
The vice president of human resources makes the initial appointment of MVP Committee members.
- The MVP reviews nominations and selects a monthly winner based on the aforementioned criteria. (If a committee member is nominated, they will be excused from voting that month.)
- Nominees are evaluated using a point system, and the highest scoring nominee wins. In the case of a tie, one name from among the highest scorers will be drawn at random to determine a winner.
- The MVP Committee has the right to verify nomination materials with the nominee’s supervisor.
- Nominees who do not receive the award for the month in which they have been nominated do not remain in the nomination pool, but they may be nominated again for reconsideration.