Seven honored with annual staff awards for their contributions to the university

Seven Elon employees have been honored for their contributions to the university with the university’s annual awards that recognize innovation, excellence, community engagement and job performance.

The recognition came as a surprise to the award winners, who were invited recently to the Snow Family Atrium where President Connie Ledoux Book and Associate Vice President for Human Resources & Chief Human Resources Officer Kelli Shuman were waiting. The awards presentations were captured on video to be shared with the broader campus community.

The Phoenix Innovation Award is presented to a member of the Elon staff who has displayed innovation by creating, designing, improving or implementing a new idea or program that benefits the university or our community. The 2020 award was presented to Tarah Holland, digital content strategist.

The Phoenix Rising Award is presented to one newer member of the Elon staff who has consistently displayed excellence in pursuit of the Elon Commitment with an engaged mind, inspired leadership and global citizenship. The 2020 award was presented to Dianne Person, director of the Anatomical Gift Program.

The Phoenix Community Engagement Award is presented to a member of the Elon staff who has demonstrated exemplary service to the university, local or global community through engagement in volunteer organizations. The award was presented to Sylvia Munoz, associate director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education and director of El Centro.

New this year is the new Blanche Garrison Memorial Award, presented to Julie Prouty, gear room coordinator. This honor was established in memory of the late Blanche Garrison, an Elon Medallion awardee, who served the university with distinction as a housekeeper at Maynard House and was a friend to many staff, faculty, and students across campus. This award was created through the generosity of President Emeritus Leo Lambert and Laurie Lambert.

The Lamberts established this award to honor the contributions of hourly staff to mentoring, supporting, training, advising, supervising, coaching and befriending Elon students. This award will be presented annually to one member of the Elon hourly staff who has contributed significantly to shaping the student experience at Elon University through their everyday commitments and actions to support and mentor Elon students.

Paige Vignali, utilities clerk, was named Professional Hourly Staff Member of the Year; Brian Dudiak, assistant athletic director for facilities and event management, was named Administrative Staff Member of the Year; and Gloria Graves, custodian, was named Physical Plant Staff Member of the Year.

Phoenix Innovation Award – Tarah Holland

Phoenix Rising Award – Dianne Person

Phoenix Community Engagement Award – Sylvia Munoz

Blanche Garrison Memorial Award – Julie Prouty

Professional Hourly Staff Member of the Year – Paige Vignali

Administrative Staff Member of the Year – Brian Dudiak

Physical Plant Staff Member of the Year – Gloria Graves