COSAM News Articles 2019 November 2019 Lilly-Lovelace Distinguished Service Awards Recognizes Outstanding Employees

2019 Lilly-Lovelace Distinguished Service Awards Recognizes Outstanding Employees

Published: 11/12/2019

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2019 Lilly-Lovelace Distinguished Service Awards: Anna Allen from the Office of Student Services, Darrick Artis from the Department of Physics, Joyce Hung from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Michele Smith from the Department of Biology. This annual award recognizes outstanding contributions by staff, administrative, and professional employees in the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM).

“The COSAM Lilly-Lovelace Distinguished Service Awards were expanded this year so that we could recognize more employees for their dedication and service to the college,” explained Dean Nicholas J. Giordano. “COSAM is committed to finding ways to celebrate our employees, and these awards encourage all of us to excel through representing COSAM with exceptional service.”

Nominations now include five areas:

Administrative staff
Instructional staff/administrative and professional
Research support staff
General administrative and professional
Supervisory staff/administrative and professional

"I was so surprised to learn that I had been selected as one of the winners of the 2019 Lilly-Lovelace Awards," said Anna Allen. "I am so lucky that I get to serve the best students on campus and work with such great people every single day. Being an academic advisor in COSAM is the greatest job in the world and I am honored to be recognized for the work that I do."

The event was held on October 29 and was attended by faculty, staff and administration.

"I feel appreciated for receiving this award because I try my best to help graduate students realize their potential in a laboratory setting so it feels good to know that people think that the work I do is worthy of recognition outside of the group," shared Darrick Artis.

This award is named in honor of two former COSAM staff members: Eva Lilly and Jan Lovelace. Lilly provided 42 years of service, most of which was in the Department of Geosciences. Lovelace was an executive support assistant in the COSAM Dean’s Office for 13 years. The award was established in 2012 after Lovelace retired.

"It’s truly an honor to be recognized by my fellow colleagues in COSAM. To me, this award represents my efforts to help the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry become the best it can be," said Joyce Hung. "But really, this is a team effort, so I would like to thank everyone I work with, because without their contributions, I wouldn’t be able to do my job."

The total number of employees that have been recognized with this award is now 18 since 2013.

"I feel honored to have been nominated and received the Lilly-Lovelace Distinguished Service Award," shared Michele Smith. "This award is tangible evidence of the appreciation and support that my coworkers, faculty, and Department Chair display each day. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such an incredible group of individuals that truly make coming to work and performing my job a pleasure."

The 2019 Lilly-Lovelace recipients pictured left to right: Darrick Artis, Michele Smith, Anna Allen, and Joyce Hung with Dean Giordano who presented the awards.