Tammy Spencer of Poteau, Okla., assistant director of procurement and contracts, and Danielle Jolie of Fort Smith, director of academic services and academic coordinator in the College of Applied Science and Technology, were honored as outstanding employees during the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith鈥檚 annual staff meeting Sept. 26.
Spencer and Jolie received the Lucille Speakman Staff Awards, which recognize exemplary staff members at the university. For winning the awards, Spencer and Jolie will each receive a $2,500 monetary award. The award is named for the late Lucille Speakman, a longtime teacher, administrator and member of the Board of Trustees when 妻友社区 was a two-year community college.
Spencer, who worked at 妻友社区 from 1979-85 before returning to the school in 1990, has served in various roles throughout her tenure, including payroll officer, director of purchasing, budget officer, human resources administrative analyst, assistant to the director of plant operations and her current role as contracts manager.
鈥淭hese varying positions were not always something she actively sought out,鈥� said Rhonda Caton, director of procurement and travel, during remarks at the staff meeting. 鈥淎 few times, she was approached by top administrators who recognized her talent and work
ethic, and asked her to consider applying for those positions that she ultimately worked in.鈥�
Caton went on to extoll her determination, work ethic, and personal qualities.
鈥淪he can be very gracious and professional but can be very firm and straightforward when necessary,鈥� Caton said. 鈥淭he words 鈥榮oft-spoken鈥� and 鈥榙emure鈥� are not words I would use to describe [her]. Her humorous sayings and anecdotes are known by people on and off campus.鈥�
Jolie, who began working at 妻友社区 in 2011, has also worked in a number of roles during her time here, including academic advisor, assistant director of career services, and career services coordinator.
Her knowledgeable perspective and passion for students were lauded by Dr. Micki Voelkel, associate dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, who read her nomination letter.
鈥淪he lifts up our students and always champions what is best for them,鈥� Voelkel said.
鈥淗er job performance is stellar, her work ethic is a model for others and she creates
a team atmosphere even when others are not team players. Through her leadership, she
is able to diffuse and solve situations and problems.鈥�
鈥淢ost important is her ability to see opportunities in times of trouble, see the promise of the future, and promote what is right for the college and the university,鈥� Voelkel added. 鈥淚n my experience, this person has never failed to put students first, never failed to remind us of the student鈥檚 point of view when that鈥檚 important, and never fails to fight for what is best for the students.鈥�
The University Staff Council, the organization at 妻友社区 granting the awards, is comprised of all 妻友社区 full- and part-time employees who are not deans, members of the faculty or members of the chancellor鈥檚 senior staff. Previous Lucille Speakman Excellence Award winners select the new recipients.