HACE Presents Staff Member, Rookie Staff Member Awards at Annual Luncheon

Staff Member of the Year Lillian Thompson

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HACE president Zowie Lucas, left, and Rookie Staff Member of the Year Laura Thom

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ODU graduate Season Roberts, executive director of the Virginia Beach Court Appointed Special Advocates program, talked about the spirit of volunteerism as guest speaker for the luncheon program. Photos by Chuck Thomas

The Hourly and Classified Employees Association (HACE) presented its Staff Member of the Year and Rookie Staff Member of the Year awards on May 14 to Lillian Thompson from the School of Community and Environmental Health and Laura Thom from the School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training.

The awards were presented at the HACE annual luncheon, which also featured ODU graduate Season Roberts, executive director of the Virginia Beach Court Appointed Special Advocates program, as guest speaker, remarks by President John R. Broderick and the installation of the association's 2014-15 officers (see photo below).

Thompson, who has worked at Old Dominion for more than 11 years, is the administrative assistant for the School of Community and Environmental Health in the College of Health Sciences. She was nominated for the award by Jacqueline Sharpe, program director for BSHS programs in the college, who noted that Thompson "does more than her job as our administrative assistant, she takes care of the faculty, students and staff in the School of Community and Environmental Health."

As Sharpe also noted, "If you come to work and need a smile - just talk to Lillian."

Sharpe credited Thompson with everything from dealing effectively with the occasional irate student to taking pictures at events. She also praised Thompson for her many efforts in assisting with events associated with the establishment of a new honor society on campus, Eta Sigma Gamma.

Thompson, said Sharpe, is "a gentle, warm, loving and kind person who does more than sit at her desk and type on a computer. Ms. Lillian is a very caring person and gives more to the job than is written in the job description. She is the 'center' of all the workflow and activities in our school. She has the respect and admiration of our faculty, staff, student workers and others."

Calling her "a supportive member of the ODU family," Sharpe also cited some of Thompson's outside activities in her nomination, noting in particular her many volunteer activities at the Lambert's Point Community Center, where she is known as "Grandma Peaches" and has assisted with many activities since its opening.

As winner of the Staff Member of the Year award, Thompson received a check for $200, a certificate from the Ted Constant Convocation Center for two tickets toward any event of her choice, a reserved parking space for one year, a voucher from the athletic department redeemable for four tickets to any 2014-15 Lady Monarchs basketball regular-season home game and a Monarch Dining Services gift card valued at $50.

The following ODU employees were nominated for the HACE Staff Member of the Year award and received certificates at the luncheon: Tony Belk, Linda Caulkins, Katie Crawford, Katrina Davenport, Gregory Flick, Delicia Malin, Barbie Miller and Romina Samson.

Laura Thom, the HACE Rookie of the Year, has worked at ODU less than a year as the ODU Monarch Physical Therapy practice manager. She was nominated for the award by her supervisor, Lisa Koperna, a lecturer in the School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training.

In her nomination form, Koperna talked about Thom hitting the ground running. "Laura was hired on Aug. 26, 2013, to serve as ODU Monarch Physical Therapy's practice manager. Immediately after she completed her new employee orientation on her first day of work, she joined the Clinic Development Committee and contributed valuable information to facilitate the clinic development process."

Koperna added: "Laura completed several financial, electronic medical record and electronic billing training sessions, in addition to required sessions to prepare for launching the new physical therapy clinic. She also worked diligently to establish the clinic's business office, develop policies and procedures, credential physical therapist and complete multiple insurance applications to obtain reimbursement for physical therapy services. Additionally, Laura demonstrated initiative to create marketing materials for the clinic, including fliers, brochures and maps."

She further noted that Thom is in the process of earning a Global Certificate at ODU, which "exemplifies her passion to better serve international students and patients."

In noting some of Thom's public service and community activities, Koperna said that she has led and organized many "Clean Our Corner" events to remove litter and improve the appearance of Wards Corner in Norfolk; worked as a volunteer to preserve a local historic cemetery; and has been involved in multiple cat rescue activities for more than 20 years.

As winner of the HACE Rookie Award, Thom received a check for $100, a certificate from the Ted Constant Convocation Center for two tickets toward any event of her choice, a voucher from the athletic department redeemable for four tickets to any 2014-15 Lady Monarchs basketball regular-season home game and a Monarch Dining Services gift card valued at $50.

The following ODU employees were nominated for the HACE Rookie Staff Member of the Year award and received certificates at the luncheon: Sarah Carter, Alan Davis, Brian Dunn, Boyzie Hayes, Valerie Sprouse, Bethany Truax Armstrong and Kimberley Williams.