Office of Development’s Stacy Nixon Honored as Employee of the Month

Old Dominion's Employee of the Month for September was recognized Sept. 24 for her role in securing a very significant donation to the university.

Stacy Nixon, the Office of Development's major gifts officer for the Frank Batten College of Engineering, was nominated for the honor for closing a $1 million outright gift to the university from an ODU parent, Donna Fischer.

Anita Friedmann, assistant vice president for campaigns in the development office, nominated Nixon for the award. An ODU employee since 2008, Nixon was also recognized in May as Employee of the Month for University Advancement.

"Donna was only peripherally involved with ODU as a member of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Advisory Council when Stacy met her at a board meeting and identified her interest in making a significant contribution," Friedmann said. "Stacy showed exemplary development skills throughout the process, from prospect identification, to a well-thought-out and executed cultivation plan, to solicitation, and follow-up to close the gift, all in 18 months.

"While directing and shepherding the process, she also involved faculty and administrators from engineering and the university to create greater connection points for this donor. Kudos to Stacy for an outstanding job (and many thanks to Donna Fischer for her generosity!" Friedmann added.

DETAILS ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH PROCESS

The University Employee of the Month Selection Committee encourages employees to nominate their outstanding, "go the extra mile" colleagues and employees. This program is designed to acknowledge and reward employees whose accomplishments and/or demeanor exemplify excellence, quality service and commitment to ODU. Classified and AP faculty employees receive a framed certificate from the president, $175 and one day of leave. Hourly winners get $250, since they are not eligible to receive recognition leave.

Note: The selection committee needs specific examples that relate to each applicable criterion in order to select a nominee for the award. Nominations remain active for six months from date of submission and nominators may submit additional documentation to support a nominee during the active six months.

The criteria used to nominate an employee include the following:

• An outstanding accomplishment that benefited the department/students.
• Extraordinary service to internal and/or external customers.
• Inspiring initiative/leadership.
• Enthusiasm/energy given to assigned work.
• Teamwork.
• Exemplary efforts to nurture a climate of care, concern and civility.
• Creative innovations to service, process or work tools.

For more information contact Tony Belk at jbelk@odu.edu or 3-3046, or go to http://www.odu.edu/ao/humanresources/employeeofthemonth.shtml.