Staff Awards Luncheon Honors Employees

Staff and faculty celebrated a very good year on Dec. 19 at the annual Holiday Staff Awards Luncheon. Attendees were treated to lunch and a special video featuring staff members sharing University highlights from the past year along with short clips from various films.

After lunch, President Charles J. Dougherty recognized employees celebrating service anniversaries before honoring the 2013 staff awardees.

The winners were:

  • Jane Gardner, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts, The President’s Distinguished Service Award
  • Catherine Deluca, School of Nursing, The Consumer Service Award
  • Dr. Ian Edwards, University Counseling Center, The Innovation Award
  • The Veteran Tuition Calculator Team: Donald Accamando, Joseph Ball, Julie Dougherty, Todd Eicker, Clayton Elwood, Dan Halpern, Ann Martin, Vladimir Mollov, Matthew North and James Zuzack, The Teamwork Award.

Gardner received the President’s Distinguished Service Award for her work with various members of the campus community while serving as the assistant to the dean of the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts. She also supports numerous campus events, including the Women’s Guild fashion show, the Freshman Mother’s Tea and the United Way Luncheon. Gardner is an active member of her parish and high school alumni association.

Serving as a graduate advisor in the School of Nursing, Deluca was recognized with the Consumer Service Award for her efforts to increase student blackboard usage and the implementation of a Starfish Retention Solution system. In addition to assisting more than 250 online graduate nursing students, Deluca serves on a University task force and facilitates grant proposals.

As the recipient of the Innovation Award, Edwards was selected for his holistic approach to student health. He offers a freshman course on how to effectively tolerate, regulate and accept difficult feelings and psychological pain as part of the human experience. Edwards also sponsors a student well-being club.

Presented to a team that demonstrates cooperation, collaboration and open communication, this year’s Team Award was presented to the Veteran Tuition Calculator Team. The team’s development of an interactive admission tool enabled prospective military and veteran students to calculate their estimated expenses. Since its launch in June 2013, the Veteran Tuition Calculator has been utilized by more than 350 students.

Award winners were each presented with a plaque commemorating their achievements.