Distinguished Award Recipients: 2007
Distinguished Employee of the Year:
Paul Miller, Robbie Thomas, and Debra Ann Brown
Distinguished Administrator of the Year:
Dr. William Porter
Paul Miller
Grounds Worker II for Physical Plant
Mr. Paul Miller, Grounds Worker II, Physical Plant, received several nominations from colleagues regarding his dedication to make the University of Memphis look the best it can. He often designs, develops and completes projects in areas that are very visible and very much in need of repair. Paul is known to work overtime to make sure his self selected beautification projects are complete and look the very best. A graduate of The University of Memphis, Paul considers the campus as his canvas and his goal is to transform the campus into a masterpiece. Paul is very friendly and gets along with all of his supervisors and coworkers. He never complains about the work load, the heat or complications with his position. Paul’s personality, his work ethic and his commitment to making the university a better campus is the reason our campus looks the way it does.
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Robbie Thomas
Custodian II for Physical Plant
Ms. Robbie Thomas, Custodian II, Physical Plant, received several nominations from colleagues recognizing her outstanding commitment and above average contributions at the University of Memphis. Robbie is known to carry out her duties in an exemplary manner, and the special things she conducts around the office to make each staff member in the Engineering Dean’s Office special. She will work overtime to prepare a building for a large event, and will do it with a wonderful positive attitude. Robbie never fails to great everyone with a smile and a wave; she will ask about families and doesn’t forget about special occasions. Robbie is a testament to dedication and hard-working, she gives the department something to smile about each day.
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Debra Ann Brown
Assistant Director for Student Financial Aid
Debra Ann received one nomination from a colleague praising her role as Assistant Director over Financial Aid customer service. Debra Ann oversees the customer service side of the entire Financial Aid Office; she also manages a full caseload with Graduate and Law Students. Debra Ann is known for her patience’s with students, staff and faculty members, she is also known for providing excellent customer service. Debra Ann’s genuine nature has served her well in her as roles as Admissions Counselor, Student Development Counselor, Financial Aid Counselor and now as Assistant Director. She is well liked by students in her ACAD classes. Debra Ann is described as outstanding employee with the classification as genuine, loyal, devoted, and hard-working, with a positive upbeat attitude and her dedication to her students and staff members. Debra Ann also teaching ACAD classes, in which students love and do not want to leave, in her spare time Debra Ann delivers meals to the elderly, spends time with her family and friends.
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Dr. William Porter
Dean of Students for AVP, Student Affairs
Dr. William Porter, Assistant VP Student Affairs, Dean of Students, received nine nominations for Distinguished Administrator of the Year Award. His colleagues describe him as hard working, dedicated and an honest person who really has the best interest of the University at heart. Dr. Porter is detailed oriented, an advocate for those he works with, he is also considered to be committed and passionate about helping students. He has the ability to help maintain quality programs and updating equipment for the Campus Recreation Center. Dr. Porter pursues excellence by challenging his staff to always think of what is best for the UofM students. He challenges departments to improve learning and goals, and creating productive working relationships. He also has successfully advised major student organization over the years such as Frosh Camp and Student Government Association. Dr. Porter is known to be the best Dean of Students in the United States; he serves on a variety of committee to allocate funds from the student activity committee as well as the committee to respond to emergencies like those that affected Virginia Tech and survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Dean Porter is an innovator; he has gone to on-line voting for the officers of the Student Government Association, his initiative in this area has led to more students being involved in the election process. Dean Porter consistently implemented the position that the faculty had to take the lead on academic living learning communities. As a result the University of Memphis has one of the most successful plans in the nation for academic living learning communities. Dean Porter has provided outstanding leadership in the development of the University Center. He helped the UofM move from thinking about investing twenty million dollars worth of renovation into the old UC to inspiring students to vote to fund a forty two million dollar new UC. Dean Porter loves students; he is at every Commencement, SGA meetings and is absolutely unflappable in support of all students!!
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