The University of Georgia College of Education honored three staff members with awards for excellence. Helen Rogers received the STAR Award for her outstanding work as an academic advisor. Grace Thornton received the Hidden GEM Award for going above and beyond in her work as a grants development specialist. Diane Lofton received the Rising Star Award for her exemplary customer service as an administrative associate. The awards ceremony recognized these staff members for their important contributions to the success of the College of Education.

1. April 6th, 2011
COE honors three with staff
awards for excellence
Writer: Julie Sartor, 706/542-4693, jsartor@uga.edu
Contact: Melanie Smith, 706/542-1642,
mssmith@uga.edu
Published in Awards / Honors, Press Releases
Three staff members of the
University of Georgia College of
Education were recently
recognized for their outstanding
work with 2011 awards for
excellence.
Helen Rogers, an academic advisor
for the department of
mathematics and science
education, received the 2011 STAR
(Service, Teamwork, Attitude,
Reliability) Award.
Rogers, of Athens, has served as 2011 STAR Award winner Helen Rogers (C), poses with (L-R) Dean Andy Horne, head
departmental graduate of the department of mathematics and science education Denise Spangler and
coordinator assistant for four nominating professor of mathematics education John Olive. COE Photo by Julie
years. Sartor
John Olive, the department’s
graduate coordinator, said, “I am
not exaggerating when I say that
Helen is both my left and right hand in my role as graduate coordinator!”
“Helen is truly a treasure trove of knowledge on which faculty and graduate students depend on a daily basis,” said department
head Denise Spangler. “She is deeply committed to the success of the department and its faculty, staff, and students.”
The award is given annually to the staff member who has worked at least three years in his or her current position, consistently
excelling in that position, making outstanding contributions in service and dedication to the college, promoting teamwork and
collaboration across units; and has worked quietly behind the scenes to improve his or her unit; and who has consistently done so
with a positive attitude. The recipient receives a plaque and a $1,200 cash award.
Grace Thornton, grants development specialist in the Office of
Research, received the Hidden GEM (Going the Extra Mile)
Award. This award recognizes a staff member who has gone
“above and beyond the call of duty” and shows a daily
commitment to reliability and precision in his or her work. The
recipient receives a $600 cash award.
Thornton, of Athens, was lauded for the exemplary service and
quality support she provides to the faculty and staff.

2. “Grace provides a calm but expert professionalism that
encourages the best in our faculty,” said Noel Gregg, Associate
Dean for Research and Distinguished Research Professor. “She
is in the top one percent of professionals I have worked with who
demonstrate such trust and positive characteristics.”
2011 Hidden GEM Award winner Grace Thornton (C)
poses with Dean Horne and nominator Associate Dean
of Research and Distinguished Research Professor Noel
Gregg. COE Photo by Julie Sartor
2011 Rising Star Award winner Diane Lofton (C) poses
with Dean Horne and head of the department of
educational psychology and instructional technical Rob
Branch. COE Photo by Julie Sartor
Diane Lofton, an administrative associate II in the department of educational psychology and instructional technology, received
the Rising Star Award. This award is given to an outstanding staff member who has worked at least six months but no more than
two years in their current unit. The recipient receives a $300 cash award.
Lofton, of Hoschton, was praised for her team-building environment within the office and modeling effective customer service.
“Diane is the quintessential customer service staff member,” said department head Robert Branch.
The awards were presented in an April 6 reception at the Joe Frank Harris Northview Room on campus.
In addition to the staff awards for excellence, several staff members were recognized for years of service to the college. They
included: Hiram Abdullah, Andy Robison, Heather Bailey, Julie Davis, Missy Kinney, Scott Pollack, Kevin Raczynski, Bobbie Ray,
and Rita Tiller, 5 years; Cathy Knudson, Jonathan Lu, Carol Ann Raymond, Marianne Roberts, Jacquee Rosumny, Julie Sartor,
Mark Walters, and Tracy Williford, 10 years; Teresa Melton and Freita Strickland, 15 years; and René Hammond Jones and
Nancy Vandergrift, 20 years.
Responses
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1. Norm Thomson says:
April 7th, 2011 at 5:19 pm (#)
The best for the best! Kudos X3 and where would we be without our staff. Thank you for always being there for us.