Rewarding Excellence

By David Hunt, News Services

There was a fair amount of excitement in the air at the McKimmon Center two weeks ago when NC State hosted a luncheon for more than 40 nominees in the annual University Awards for Excellence competition. The nominees, along with many of their co-workers and supporters, packed the room, waiting to hear the names of the five employees who had been selected to represent the university at the state awards program this summer. 

"Loosen up out there," Chancellor James Oblinger told the crowd. "You seem very solemn."

But in a room full of super-achievers, excellence is a serious business. At least it was until ABC-11 broadcaster Tisha Powell – the morning's emcee – took the stage to explain how the event would be choreographed. 

Meet the Winners Click here, for profiles of all 47 Awards for Excellence college and unit winners.

"When your name is announced, simply walk to the front and receive your resignation," she explained. Then, catching her gaffe, she added, "I mean, your recognition."

That broke the ice.

Actually, the nominees do get some time away from work. Each nominee received eight hours of vacation time, along with a check for $250. The five award-winners got an additional eight hours and another $250.

The awards recognize excellence in the areas of outstanding state government service, innovation, public service, safety and heroism, and human relations. Nominees were drawn from every college and administrative unit across campus and included some of the university's best and brightest employees.

After the awards were announced, the winners gathered for group photos while their friends and co-workers looked on. Not surprisingly, the winners had more to say about their departments and their fellow employees than themselves.

"I work with the most phenomenal people," said Janice Coats, an administrative assistant in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education. "We have a lot of fun, and we get a lot of work done. I have a very supportive group. I just love working there."

Consuelo Rodriguez, a financial manager in University Housing and Greek Life, said she wouldn't think of leaving her job – at least as long as her boss is there.

"I'm very loyal," she said. "And I'm very, very, very happy."

Other winners included Tony Pearson, manager of Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications, who works to bring the newest technologies to the university's video classrooms; Pradip Pramanik, assistant director of the proposal development unit in Research and Graduate Studies, who works with teams to develop top-rated research proposals; and Wendy Moore, an administrative support specialist in the Department of Zoology, who has taken four consecutive semesters of Spanish at NC State and applies these language skills to international unit functions.

Related Links

• Profiles of all 47 college and unit Awards for Excellence Winners
• State Employees' Awards for Excellence Program