Faculty, staff and students receive University Awards for Service

Faculty, staff and students receive University Awards for Service

More than 130 faculty, staff and students at East Carolina University who embody ECU's motto, Servire, were honored Wednesday during the University Awards for Service ceremony in the Main Campus Student Center ballrooms.

"We all know a key to delivering on our missional promises and achieving our goals can be summed up in one word - people," said ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers. "The nearly 6,000 dedicated faculty and staff serving Pirate Nation do so every day with our values at the heart of their work. I am grateful for all of you. We are grateful for each other, and tonight we celebrate a very special group of honorees."

Rogers opened the ceremony by presenting the James R. Talton Jr. Leadership Award to Michelle Brooks, executive vice dean at the Brody School of Medicine.

The award is named in honor of the former ECU Board of Trustees chairman and presented annually to a faculty member, staff member or administrator in recognition of outstanding servant leadership.

"Michelle exemplifies everything this award represents: extraordinary service, a deep commitment to this university and a steadfast dedication to advancing our mission in ways that often happen behind the scenes but leave a lasting and visible impact," said Rogers in presenting the award. "She truly is a servant leader."

Rogers has known Brooks since he was chief of staff at ECU, when he hired her in 2013 to lead ECU's legislative relations efforts.

"From day one, it was clear we were bringing in someone with not only a sharp understanding of policy and process, but also a genuine passion for East Carolina University and the people we serve," he said. "Michelle quickly became a trusted voice and an indispensable partner - someone who could navigate the legislative landscape with credibility, with integrity and with effectiveness. She has an exceptional ability to bring people together, to advocate persuasively and to ensure that ECU's priorities are clearly understood and strongly supported."

Brooks has been involved in some of ECU's most significant milestones, Rogers said, including securing funding for the new 195,000-square-foot Brody Center for Medical Education Building where the next generation of healthcare professionals will learn and grow.

In a video highlighting Brooks' work, Dr. Jason Higginson, executive dean of the Brody School of Medicine, shared how Brooks has been a critical asset in explaining the school's mission.

"You don't get an investment from the state of North Carolina the size of the one that we got without reminding people what we do at Brody," he said.

"I think it's important because it's not natural for anyone to really toot their own horn or toot the horn of an organization, but somebody has to do it. And Michelle does it in a wonderful way. It's very quiet and understated, but it's an important thing that has to happen, which is remind people that Brody exists for a reason, and we serve that mission well, and she's the perfect messenger for us externally to why Brody exists and how we live up to our mission every day," Higginson said.

Karson Hallow, director of strategic initiatives at ECU, said Brooks' leadership is rooted in the service that she provides behind the scenes. Brooks' deep knowledge of eastern North Carolina, her relationships across the state, and her unwavering commitment to help on nights and weekends reflects her leadership style, one that Hallow wants to emulate in her own leadership, she said.

"It's that behind-the-scenes effort that no one sees that is helping people solve problems in critical moments that Michelle goes above and beyond for every day," Hallow said.

Brooks is humble and quick to give someone else credit while inspiring others to lead and perform their jobs at the highest level, making everyone better around her through her example, said longtime colleague Linda Hofler.

"What makes Michelle truly deserving of the Talton Award is not only what she has accomplished, but how she has accomplished it," Rogers said. "She leads with professionalism, with persistence and with a genuine respect for others. She understands that service is about relationships, it's about trust, and it's about doing the right thing - even when it's not the easiest path."

Other nominees for the award included:

• Sharon Ballard, Department of Human Development and Family Science
• Melanie Sartore-Baldwin, Department of Kinesiology
• Heidi Bonner, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology
• Allen Guidry, Academic Affairs
• John Cavanagh, Brody School of Medicine
• Greg Chadwick, School of Dental Medicine
• Julie Evans, Information Technology and Computing Services
• Andre Green, College of Education
• Hal Holloman, College of Education
• Debra Jackson, Graduate School
• Matt Maloney, Athletics
• Jeanne Martin, College of Education
• Waz Miller, Student Affairs
• Shannon Powell, College of Nursing
• Jon Rezek, Global Affairs
• Amy Shannon, University Studies
• Mark Sprague, Department of Physics
• Louise Warren, College of Education
• Stephanie White, Academic Affairs
• Margaret (Maggie) Wilson, School of Dental Medicine
• Donald Worm, School of Dental Medicine.

Servire Society

ECU's Servire Society inducted 65 members. Each year the Servire Society recognizes faculty, staff and students who have contributed 100 or more hours of volunteer service to the community in the previous year. Those hours are external to ECU, fall outside normal job duties and can include regional, national or global service. Inductees receive a certificate, medal and pin with the induction year.

NC Campus Engagement, Community Impact Student Award

Gracie Parker, an English education major from Dunn, received the Community Impact Student Award for her ability to use her multiple networks on campus to garner involvement and support for various programs and events. Parker is passionate about education and community engagement, along with helping others develop their leadership skills, said award presenter Lauren Howard. Parker is an Apple ambassador, mentor in the Education Living-Learning Community, Access Scholar, Russell Christman Scholar and student leadership assistant in the ECU Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement.

North Carolina Campus Engagement is a network of colleges and universities committed to community engagement. Award winners must demonstrate a deep commitment to partner with others to address community issues, an outstanding ability to lead and inspire fellow students to engage, and evidence of sustainable impact of their work.

Excellence in Student Leadership Award

The Truist Leadership Center Excellence in Student Leadership Award is presented to individuals who exhibit exemplary skills or achievement in campus leadership, make a positive community impact or help to address a significant North Carolina problem. This year, five students were recognized and received a $1,500 award.

Sofia Azam, a senior majoring in computer science and mathematics, is involved in strengthening community within ECU's tech spaces. Through her leadership in the Association for Computing Machinery, she has expanded access, built partnerships and led major initiatives like ECU Spark, an annual student-run hackathon. She has also created opportunities for collaboration between students and industry partners, increasing real-world experience for her peers.

Chloe Cannon is a senior public health major dedicated to addressing health disparities. Through the PEP Squad, she has led initiatives supporting maternal and child health for underserved populations. She has also contributed to opioid prevention and rural health research through her work with the Pitt County Health Department.

Kaeleigh Kruger, a senior in voice performance, is a leader in service and mentorship. As president of Musical Empowerment, she has expanded access to music education for underserved youth in Pitt County. She also supports adolescent mothers through her work with YoungLives, building community and providing critical resources.

Whitley McCoy is a senior marketing major who has made a lasting impact through mentorship and community building. She founded the CREWS mentoring program in the Honors College, which supports hundreds of first-year students in finding connection and belonging. She has served as a trusted ambassador for ECU, representing the university to prospective students and stakeholders.

Darshan Patel, a junior majoring in exercise physiology, is focused on health equity and service. As president of the ECU Dental Brigades, he has helped expand access to care locally and globally while building sustainable, education-based service models. He has also connected service with academics and research, creating pathways that prepare future healthcare leaders.

Inaugural Sustainability Award

John Gill, assistant director of facilities services and campus landscape architect, received the first ECU Sustainability Award, which recognizes a member or team in the ECU community with a demonstrated commitment to and leadership in campus sustainability. The award was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the ECU Sustainability Program, which was started in spring 2016 by ECU's first sustainability manager, Chad Carwein. Griffin Avin, ECU's chief sustainability officer, presented Gill with the award, which will be given annually.

Staff Emeritus Recognition

The ECU Staff Senate recognizes retired staff members who have made significant contributions to the university through a long and distinguished record of service, dedication, leadership and innovation. Those receiving staff emeritus status this year are:

• Debbie Austin, Brody School of Medicine
• Dr. Linda Campion, Center for Student Success
• Michelle DeVille, Office of Institutional Integrity
• Danny "Lee" Edwards, Automotive Services, Facilities Services
• Randy Godwin, College of Engineering and Technology
• Teresa Grimes, Housekeeping, Facilities Services
• Mike Hanley, Athletics
• Charlene Padgett, Student Affairs
• Mary Price, Undergraduate Admissions
• Ira "Len" Rhodes, College of Business
• Patricia Suggs, University Advancement
• Phillip Burton White, Department for People Operations, Success and Opportunity
• Ann Windham, University Advancement

Centennial Awards for Excellence

The awards recognize staff, faculty, administrators and teams who are nominated by their colleagues for "going the extra mile every day to make a difference" on campus in the areas of leadership, service and spirit.

Leadership

• Dr. Priti Desai, Department of Human Development and Family Science
• Kerry Sewell, College of Health and Human Performance
• Nathan Saunders, Information Technology and Computer Sciences
• Jeremy Rogers, Automotive Services, Facilities Services

Service

• Randall Martoccia, Department of English
• Shanita Bennett, ECU Physicians General Internal Medicine Clinic
• Nancy Ausherman, Disability Support Services
• Healthier Lives Team

Spirit

• Jon Rezek, Global Affairs
• Dylan Moore, Student Academic Success Services
• Dennis Brathwaite, University Communications
• ORA Post-Award Team

More Stories