2010-11 Winners

Remarks from Susquehanna University Executive Vice President for Administration and Planning Sara Kirkland, announcing the 2011 Gates Award winners during the 2011 Opening Dinner on Aug. 24.

Our first honoree has worked with Susquehanna University in different capacities for more than 15 years. This individual is highly organized, pays meticulous attention to details and works in a spirit of collaboration with many individuals both on and off campus. He has “brought a career of expertise, an exemplary level of dedication and professionalism, … a willingness to focus on solving a problem not assigning blame, and, perhaps most importantly, a humble perspective and a sense of humor that helps everyone he works with to get through difficult moments.” He keeps projects on schedule and oversees their quality control. He worked in the construction industry before joining SU in 2000. His steady hand has most recently helped bring to fruition many of the beautiful new buildings we see on campus—West Village complex, the new science building, and the new health center—in addition to the renovations of Fisher Hall and the Writers Institute. If you ever need to have cats herded, this is your guy; his calm patience and focus is awe-inspiring. I’m very pleased to present the 2011 Gates Award to Assistant Director of Facilities Management Rick Rebuck.

Our second honoree came to the university nearly 10 years ago. Since that time, this person has continued to develop professionally and personally. She is recognized within her department for her communication and organizational skills, her sense of responsibility and professionalism, her willingness to take the initiative, and for her friendliness and compassion. One professor says “she anticipates not only problems, but also options and solutions in advance.” Another says “every new task that is handed to her is handled with a thoroughness that often leaves me wondering how she finds time in the day to accomplish it all.” She takes a personal interest in students and helps the department to “cultivate lifelong connections with its majors and the work-study students who pass through her office.” She has developed a system to welcome and help smooth the transition of the university’s modern language fellows to Selinsgrove and our campus, much of which extends above and beyond her job description. Her work in organizing the art exhibit that was part of this year’s Latino exhibit should also be noted. Our honoree began her career at SU in the mail room, working part time. At this time, I’m delighted to present the 2011 Gates Award to academic assistant Charity Ney.

Our next honoree has been at Susquehanna fewer than five years but the impact that this person is already making in some key areas is exemplary. This person brings energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude to a multitude of projects and events. She has excellent organizational and management abilities, and encourages a creative, productive and fun work environment. Her skills as a good listener, strategic thinker, and effective consensus builder have brought together and helped align numerous individuals and groups for the ultimate benefit of Susquehanna students. Her mission is to get as many people into the “institutional hug” as possible. Her leadership to help develop a pilot project involving hundreds of alumni, students and faculty in the Sigmund Weis School of Business has dovetailed into larger institutional work around our strategic priority of enhancing student outcomes. The word “silo” is not in her vocabulary. For her work to build newer and stronger bridges with alumni, with faculty and staff colleagues, and, perhaps most importantly, with students, I am happy to present the 2011 Gates Award to Director of Alumni Relations and Susquehanna graduate Becky Deitrick.

Our final honoree has also made a significant impact within the Susquehanna community since arriving here in 2009. This individual quickly became engaged in developing first-class programs in his area that have achieved tremendous results. He is highly respected by student-athletes, and that respect is also evident externally in the high-quality recruits he has been able to attract to Susquehanna. “Despite the fact that we do not have a diving program at SU, our men’s team went undefeated and finished runner-up in the conference championship. And the women’s team won the first-ever conference championship in swimming.” This person received the Landmark Conference Coach of the Year Award for women’s swimming and diving. And both our men’s and women’s swimming programs received national recognition for their academic performance as a team. Our honoree has also provided meaningful contributions to the SU Wellness Committee, created a wellness camp for obese teens and further developed the university’s community swimming lessons program. This coach has had an outstanding year in and out of the pool by demonstrating “the same focus and care in serving the younger and older community members through the aquatics program that he does in developing our swimmers into a highly competitive athletes.” It is my pleasure to present the 2011 Gates Award to Coach Jerry Foley.