Accolades for October 29, 2001

October 29th, 2001 - Filed under: Accolades

McKinley Award, September 2001 Winner

The McKinley Award was established by Helen H. and John K. McKinley of Darien, Conn., and Tuscaloosa in honor of McKinley’s father, Vergil Parks McKinley. The award recognizes enterprising employees who by action or idea contribute to the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. Vergil Parks McKinley came to UA in 1918 and retired as head of the College of Education’s trade and industrial development department in 1945. If you would like to nominate an employee for future awards, contact Amy Heatherly at 348-6690.

Roosevelt Spencer

Roosevelt Spencer

Roosevelt Spencer, an employee in the logistical support department of University facilities, assists in moving furniture and office items, sets up equipment for special events, and performs other duties on campus. His nominator, Michael Reid, director of facilities business administration, explained in his nomination that Spencer takes pride in his work. “He takes pride in the performance of every task for which he is responsible and always shows a pleasant, helpful attitude,” he wrote. “We constantly receive compliments and thanks from across campus for his assistance and courtesy.”

A second nominator, Coress Brandon, associate director for facilities, pointed to his attention to customer service. “ ‘Ro’, as he is known to most of the staff on campus, is very customer service oriented and always presents a pleasing disposition,” she said.

“Ro and his team literally are the ‘MOVERS and SHAKERS’ on campus and they make things happen.”

UA’s Bounds Law Library Holds Heflin Collection

heflinThe Bounds Law Library of UA’s School of Law has published the first in a series of occasional publications planned for the future. This publication, “The Howell Thomas Heflin Collection,” presents biographical material on Alabama’s three-term senator Howell Heflin and a thorough outline of the Heflin papers and collection available in the John C. Payne Special Collections of the Bounds Library.

Heflin deposited his papers with the School of Law in 1996, and the collection comprises more than 1,000 cubic feet of documents, printed materials, and artifacts dating from 1920 to 1996, making it the largest single collection in the library. Heflin’s career as an Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice, determined to reform the system, and as a U.S. Senator for three terms makes these materials of great value to researchers. In the Senate Heflin sat on the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, the Judiciary Committee, and other committees. For more information on this collection and other holdings, contact the Bounds Law Library at 348-5925.

Emory Honors UA Capstone College of Nursing Dean

Dr. Sara Barger

Dr. Sara Barger

The alumni association of Atlanta’s Emory University has awarded Dr. Sara Barger, dean and professor of UA’s Capstone College of Nursing, the highest award it bestows upon its alumni. Barger, who earned her master’s degree in nursing at Emory, was awarded the Emory Medal during the school’s annual alumni reunion weekend.

In a framed award addressed to Barger, Emory’s president and the president of the Association of Emory Alumni wrote, “your devotion to both your profession and public health has created ways for nursing schools to expand community services, while enabling students to move from classroom to clinic, from novice to professional.

“Tireless and creative in addressing the challenges that confront rural nurses and those without baccalaureate training,” the award continued, “you manifest and draw the nation’s attention to the worth of a nurse.”

Barger has been dean of the UA Capstone College of Nursing since 1995. Under her leadership, the College developed partnerships with Alabama’s community colleges to develop more accessible bachelor’s and master’s degree options for nurses with associate degrees. The College also opened a primary care clinic in Walker County to provide care for rural patients and learning experiences for students.

She successfully guided the College through its 2001 re-accreditation of its undergraduate program and the initial accreditation of its new and innovative master’s degree in nursing case management program.

A recipient of the Outstanding Nurse Administrator in Academe Award from the Alabama State Nurses Association, Barger also received the Honorary Nursing Practice Award from the American Nurses Association. One of only seven recipients of this year’s Emory Medal, Barger is listed in “Who’s Who in American Nursing.”

University Programs Wins Award

University Programs, a UA student organization that provides free quality entertainment to University faculty, staff and students, recently won two awards at the regional National Association for Campus Activities (NACA), which includes Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. UP won awards in the Best Student Originated Multicolored Poster Artwork, for the “muMS” poster; and Best Student Originated Low Cost Promotional Item for the “Dr. Drew Promotional Condom.” University Programs presents a variety of events each year, but generally focuses on a number of genres, including music, theatre, visual arts, film, lectures, and special events.

For more information, contact 348-7525.

Harris Appointed Alabama ACT Representative

Dr. Lisa B. Harris

Dr. Lisa B. Harris

Lisa B. Harris, assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions and financial aid at UA, has been appointed as the new Alabama representative to the ACT Corporation. Harris’s three-year term began at the ACT annual meeting earlier this month. She was elected to the position by members of the Alabama ACT Council.

Harris has been with UA since 1998, serving as director of admissions and financial aid from 1998 to 2000, and prior to that spent eight years leading the admissions office at Louisiana State University. She holds degrees from Clemson University (B.A. and M.Ed.) and Louisiana State University (Ph.D.). The duties of ACT state representatives include recommending policy changes to the organization’s board of trustees and acting on proposed revisions to the articles of incorporation and bylaws.

ACT, Inc. is a national, nonprofit educational organization best known for administering the nation’s most widely accepted college-entrance and placement exam. The organization also offers a wide variety of services in K-12 and postsecondary education, career planning, professional certification and licensure, and workforce development.

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