HACE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Ann McNeal, administrative assistant for the undergraduate program in the School of Nursing, and Dan Thorpe, Campus Information Center manager, were announced May 11 as winners of the Hourly and Classified Employees Association annual staff awards.

McNeal, who was selected from among 12 nominees as HACE Staff Member of the Year, has worked in the School of Nursing since 1995. Nominated by Kay Palmer, undergraduate program director for the nursing school, McNeal was cited for her compassion, communication skills, outgoing and friendly personality, initiative and organization.

Many of her letters of recommendation came from students. One wrote about her first introduction to McNeal, whom she went to see when her textbooks had not arrived in time for the start of classes. "She went to various instructors and collected the books I needed as 'loaners' so I would have them for class. She also took time out of her incredibly busy schedule to call me when my books did arrive and she even separated them and packed them in boxes that were easy for me to carry."

Another student said, "At a time when I was down the most about how tough school really is, she took the time to just sit and chat with me on a human being' level, not in the role of staff. When she hadn't seen me in months, she gave me a hug as if we were long lost friends."

Benny Jackson, supervisor of the moving and hauling office, also praised McNeal for her organization efforts and positive attitude in preparing the nursing school for its recent move from the Technology Building to Hughes Hall.

Also nominated for Staff Member of the Year were Sharoyn Baker, Tracey Bowry, Barbara Cuffee, Elaine Dawson, L'Tanya King, Sandra Mathews, Sue Nagle, Kelly Smith, Patricia Thorner, Haylee Uecker and Janice Willcox.

Dan Thorpe, a 2003 ODU graduate who has been a classified employee for approximately 10 months, was selected for the HACE Rookie Staff Member of the Year. He was nominated by his supervisor, Jennifer Kinglsey, coordinator of the Campus Information Center.

"I receive continuous feedback from various staff members and ODU guests about how easy and enjoyable it is to work with Dan," she said. "This is a testament to his own customer service skills, hiring of quality students, and his leadership and role modeling of excellent customer service to these students."

Don Stansberry, director of student activities and leadership, said of Thorpe, "He is truly a role model, mentor, friend and effective adviser for the students that he works with."

Also nominated for Rookie Staff Member of the Year were Jane Carlson, Katrina Davenport, Cynthia Duncan, Tammy Pillow, Karla Simpson and Charlene Taylor.

As winners of the 2004 HACE awards, both McNeal and Thorpe received athletic tickets, two passes to a Global Spectrum event at the Constant Center, a $50 gift certificate to the bookstore and $25 worth of Monarch Dining Dollars. They also received $200 and $100, respectively, from the Jill Nolte Endowment Fund, and McNeal was awarded a reserve parking space for a year.