Dialog, UA Faculty and Staff News

August 23, 2004

McKinley Award, April 2004 Winner — Rebecca Florence

Rebecca Florence

Rebecca (Becky) Florence, director of college relations and assistant to the dean for communications in UA's College of Arts and Sciences, was named the McKinley Employee Award winner for April 2004. Her nominators, Dr. Robert Olin, dean of A&S, and Susan Halliday, coordinator of special events and endowment accounts, primarily noted Florence's "exemplary examples of professionalism," which have bettered the College of Arts and Sciences. Olin pointed to Florence having worked with two deans, 11 associate and assistant deans, and three UA presidents, as well as teaching in New College. "She never says no, always upholding the best interests of the University, demonstrating fairness and honesty relative to every situation," wrote Olin.

A major responsibility is to promote the college and its mission and image "For example, she was responsible for the nomination and ultimate selection of dance professor Cornelius Carter for the 2001 Professor of the Year by CASE," wrote Olin. She is also responsible for the A&S Collegiate Fund, which raises approximately $250,000 annually.

Halliday sees Florence as one who "sets the paradigm in the college." After working together for nine years, Halliday considers Florence to be her role model.

According to her nominators, Florence's impact on the college and the University has been considerable. She demonstrates precisely the type of performance and commitment to excellence that the McKinley family had in mind when they established the McKinley Award.

The McKinley Award was established by Helen H. and John K. McKinley of Darien, Conn., and Tuscaloosa in honor of John McKinley's father, Vergil Parks McKinley. The award recognizes enterprising employees who, by action or idea, contributed to the University's mission of teaching, research and service. The monthly award carries a cash prize. 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 Human Resources at 348-6690.

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