Gabriela Krupa
Staff Writer
Shane Rodrigues, Stacey Darling-Novak, Brian Tresner and Al Clark were among the many faculty members who were honored at the Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony last Friday.
Members of the La Verne community received honors ranging from years of service to Employee of the Year.
In all, 75 people were honored for their years of service, ranging from five to 35 years.
Fourteen faculty members received recognition for retirement and another four received the La Verne Scholars award, which honored faculty that took on extra research endeavors.
“This is one of those events that bring us together for the right reasons and reminds us why we are all here at the university,” Eugene Shang, associate director of student housing and resident education, said.
Faculty and staff filled the athletic pavilion. President Devorah Lieberman said she enjoys seeing all the faculty and staff come together for support.
“I wish more students would join the ceremony,” Lieberman said.
Rodrigues, radio-TV operations manager for the communications department, said winning the award for Classified Employee of the Year made his day.
He said he was in the Arts and Communications Building when students started to rush him to the ceremony.
Alisha Rosas, interim director of public relations, said Rodrigues showed dedication to the University by helping staff when times were tough.
When graduate student Arthur Arzola died in a college tour bus crash earlier this year, the University acted fast by setting up a remembrance ceremony to honor his life. The news stations that covered the event needed special equipment, and Rodrigues was present to assist.
Rosas said Rodrigues offered counsel and was reliable.
“The work others do to help students inspire all of us to do better,” Shang said.
Tresner, director of client technology and customer service, was awarded the Administrative Professional Employee of the Year.
The Robert Warren Hultman Distinguished Professorship award went to Darling-Novak, professor of biology.
“This award was for the person who provides time, thought and compassion to each student,” said John Hultman, son of Robert Warren Hultman, who presented the award.
Darling-Novak will be awarded $5,000 every year for three years. She was the first recipient and she can use the money for any educational purpose that she sees fit.
“It is important to recognize people at all levels of the University because we all build a community of strength and understanding together,” said Al Clark, associate vice president for academic affairs and professor of humanities, who was honored with the Outstanding Service Award.
Clark created the faculty lecture series, organized regular blood drives and championed faculty research, among other service
“The Outstanding Service Award is going to that person puts in that extra effort, which brings about great things,” Beatriz Gonzalez, associate provost for faculty affairs and professor of educational counseling, said.
Gabriela Krupa can be reached at gabriela.krupa@laverne.edu.
