35-year service recognition: Angelia Case, academic projects assistant and media specialist, and Dr. Roger Hardaway, professor of history.
Calleb Mosburg, Northwestern vice president for student services and enrollment management, presented service learning awards on behalf of Kaylyn Hansen, director of assessment and institutional effectiveness and academic support, and the Service Learning/Civic Engagement committee.
Those being honored include:
Greatest Student Involvement Award: Xan Perkins, instructor of instrumental music, and the director of Northwestern University Band – given to employees who had the greatest student involvement in a project. The students in University Band prepared and performed 45 minutes of music for an audience of Northwestern students, faculty, staff, administration, and members from the local Alva community as well as several of the surrounding communities. This event, like almost all of the concerts, are open to the public and free to attend.
Greatest Community Impact Award: Dr. Roger Brown, professor of business, and the Business, Society and Government class – given to the faculty or staff member whose project impacted their community through beautification, culture, sustainability or other area’s that put a community’s need first. Students enrolled in the class must volunteer at least five hours of their time working for a non-profit organization or governmental agency that provides services to the community. Students volunteered at: Altus Pets for Life; Bridge2Hope; Forest Home Christian Camp; Marland’s Place Foster Care; Northside Inter-Community Agency, Inc.; Nutrition and Senior Citizen Center of Alva; Tornado Alley Bulldog Rescue; the Alva Wesleyan Church Food Bank, and the YMCA. One student volunteered in the construction of a recording studio for a community center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Mindi Clark and the General Horticulture class – given to an employee whose commitment to service sets a high standard in Service Learning while promoting the meaning of service learning and civic engagement. The horticulture class worked with students and staff on the Northwestern campus to grow and provide the plants for Campus Beautification. The class also worked with Susan Holliday, Oklahoma State University Extension Educator, to grow plants for the Alva Community Garden.
Applaud Award: Northwestern Department of Social Work, “Primp for Prom” – given to a club/organization that shows the greatest overall effort, participation and hard work. Primp for Prom is an annual spring event held in Woodward for area high school students to pick out a formal dress and accessories at no charge. The event is held each spring at the Woodward High School.
Most Expressive Award: Dr. Bailey Lancaster, assistant professor of psychology, and the Northwestern Psychology Club, “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” – given to a club/organization that had a unique project/event. The Northwestern Psychology Club had a support board where students could write notes of encouragement to those who were impacted by sexual assault. Many filled the board offering support. There was also a news article that was written about sexual assault with further resources provided.
perSERVEring Ranger Award: Ethan Sacket and the Northwestern Scholar Ambassadors (NSA) – given to an organization for its extraordinary service and serving in multiple community service projects throughout the year. NSA volunteered for numerous community service projects including volunteering at the Bridge2Hope Store setup; Baseball, Hotdogs, Apple Pie; the Northwest Technology Games for Middle Schoolers; Northwestern Employee Christmas Ornaments; Northwestern Thank-A-Thon; Operation Christmas Child Box Making; Trunk or Treat; the Lincoln Elementary Playgroup Painting, and much more.
Maier also presented Retention and Enrollment awards to: Tamara Brown, chair of the Northwestern Communication Department and assistant professor of speech; Dr. Sarah Fry, assistant professor of criminal justice and sociology; Shawna Gilbert, access services librarian and assistant professor of library science; Dr. Shane Hansen, chair of the Northwestern Health and Sports Science Department and assistant professor of health and sports science; Dr. Roxie James, chair of the Northwestern English, Foreign Language and Humanities Department and associate professor of English; Mickey Jordan, director of technical theatre and Herod Hall facilities manager; Dr. Jen Oswald, chair of the Northwestern Division of Education and associate professor of education; Dr. Don Pratt, associate professor of biology; Dr. Taylor Randolph, chair of the Northwestern Psychology Department and assistant professor of psychology; Dr. Mary Riegel, professor of mathematics; Dana Roark, instructor of business; and Dr. Dean Scarbrough, chair of the Northwestern Agriculture Department and professor of agriculture. Collins and Rehder were also recognized.
Bell, on behalf of Tandy Keenan, director of sponsored programs, announced Northwestern received 19 grants, totaling $1.9 million.
Several employees also were recognized during the ceremony for their service to the Faculty Senate and the Staff Council.