Shannon Sauerwald, the general administration manager in Webb Center Operations, was presented with Old Dominion University's Gazelle Award at Friday's area-wide meeting led by Chief Operating Officer David Harnage.

The award recognizes an employee, nominated by their peers, who exhibits consistent excellence in their job performance. The University has surprised an employee with the Gazelle Award every year since its inception in 1996.

"Shannon focuses on others, not herself," Harnage said, at the gathering of staff from administration and finance, the Business Gateway, human resources, internal audit, strategic communication and marketing and University police and counsel. "What matters most to her is what the customer or her staff needs, not what she wants."

As the winner, Sauerwald receives $1,000 and a framed certificate. She holds a BA in communication from Old Dominion and will earn a master's in sports and recreation management this summer. She began work at the University in 2009 as assistant director of marketing and membership recreation in recreation and wellness. She was appointed to her current position in 2013.

In nominating Sauerwald, Susan Mitchell, director of Webb Center and Auxiliary Services, praised Sauerwald for her "positive enthusiasm that is a life philosophy, not just one that she brings to the job."

Mitchell continued: "Shannon embraces a process-driven approach combined with the firm belief that the staff knows best how to meet our goals, and she gives them the tools they need to accomplish them. She communicates frequently with all shifts to solicit feedback and find better, more efficient ways to do things."

Sauerwald was among nine Gazelle Award nominees that also included:

• Brain Crawford, design and construction;
• Thasheena Cutno, human resources;
• Vaibhav Dani, information technology services;
• Pamela Kiger, design and construction;
• Harvey Logan, facilities management;
• Chad Luettel, facilities management;
• Rufus McGowan, mail room;
• Darnese Richardson, housekeeping.

For more information about employee recognition opportunities at Old Dominion University, visit the Awards & Recognition website.