More than 150 George Mason University faculty and staff members were recognized this week for their exceptional work advancing an institution that educates thousands each year.
The Faculty and Staff Outstanding Achievement Awards, presented on Nov. 3 in Dewberry Hall, celebrate achievements that support the core values of George Mason.
Two employees were presented with the all-new Faculty/Staff Alumni Award— Barb Gomperts and Jennifer Robinson.
“I get to come to work every day and do a job that I love, so it is an honor to be recognized for it,” said Robinson, the director of advancement programs in the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations at Mason. “Education is the great equalizer and I believe college should be accessible and affordable for everyone.”
[Barb Gomperts, left, receives the Faculty/Staff Achievement Award from Mason President Ángel Cabrera at the Outstanding Achievement Awards on Nov. 3. Photo provided.]
Barb Gomperts, left, receives the Faculty/Staff Achievement Award from Mason President Ángel Cabrera at the Outstanding Achievement Awards on Nov. 3. Photo provided.
Robinson earned a master’s degree from Mason’s School of Law in 2002.
Gomperts, an office manager in the English Department, has worked for 17 years at Mason where she also earned a master’s degree in English in 2008.
“Overall our mission is to best serve everyone who comes through our doors or calls in,” Gomperts said of the English department. “I feel like all of the staff in the English Department all work very well together; I feel lucky to be a part of such a great group.”
The Civility Star, another award presented for the first time this year, was given to Amy Takayama-Perez, Mason’s dean of Admissions.
The award recognizes employees who are considered role models of integrity, civility and positive behavior.
“How we treat each other—with respect and civility—is an important part of collaboration and our steps toward being a well-being university. We embrace the opportunity to recognize someone modeling this behavior as a university role model and leader,” said Linda Harber, vice president of human resources, payroll and faculty/staff life.
The Margaret C. Howell Award, named in honor of a Mason employee who retired in 2002, was given to Jennifer Crewalk, assistant director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education, or ODIME.
[The World Police and Fire Games Team was recognized for its accomplishments at the Outstanding Achievement Awards on Nov. 3. Photo provided.]
The World Police and Fire Games Team was recognized for its accomplishments at the Outstanding Achievement Awards on Nov. 3. Photo provided.
The award acknowledges an employee’s emphasis on the development of respect, diversity and individual dignity throughout the university and the community.
“It feels great to be appreciated for the work I do here at Mason in supporting and advocating the first generation students, our undocumented students and our Latino/Latina students,” Crewalk said.
The support of Mason students and her mentor Shaoxian Yu, associate director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education, are motivating factors in her work, Crewalk said.
“As someone who has benefited from so much educational privilege, I feel it is even more important in my role to support students to navigate higher education systems and to help our students to see and realize their talents within,” Crewalk said.
Winner included 28 individual award recipients and five teams with 157 members from 15 different departments.
A complete list of winners is available here.