University to Accept Regional Awards

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas and the Division of Student Affairs have garnered five awards from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Region IV-West. This is the highest number of accolades the university has ever received from NASPA, and recipients will accept their awards at the NASPA Region IV-West Conference on Nov. 3 in Breckenridge, Colo.

The winners are: Chancellor John White, Presidential Excellence Award; Marsha Norvell, Support Staff Award; Chris Medrano, New Professional Award; UA Productions, Publications Award; and Justin Grimes, Rising Star Undergraduate Award.

The Presidential Excellence Award is a special recognition given to a college or university president who has, over a sustained period of time, advanced the quality of student life on campus by supporting student affairs staff and programs. Nominees must show evidence of direct involvement in enhancing the quality of student life on campus, active attempts to involve students and student life staff in governing the institution, and demonstrable contributions to the profession that have an impact beyond an individual campus.

“We are very pleased that Chancellor White has been chosen for the Presidential Excellence Award,” said Johnetta Cross Brazzell, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. “He has always been supportive of student affairs work and truly cares about students and their development, both in and out of the classroom.”

The Outstanding New Professional Award is presented to an individual who has been in the profession less than five years, is a NASPA member, and has made significant contributions to his or her campus, the regional organization and the profession. Chris Medrano, program coordinator for student activities, is this year’s winner. Medrano is in her third year with the University of Arkansas.

The Support Staff Recognition Award is presented to an individual who has contributed significantly to higher education and student affairs professionals. This year’s winner is Marsha Norvell, executive assistant to the vice chancellor for Student Affairs. Norvell has been with the university for 17 years, more than 15 of those years in Student Affairs. She is one of the go-to people in the division, and really offers support to anyone who is in need.

The Rising Star Award is given to a junior or senior undergraduate student who has a lot of involvement in campus activities and organizations, has a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5; shows great campus leadership; has paraprofessional employment with Division of Student Affairs; intends to pursue a Student Affairs-related advanced degree. This year’s winner is Justin Grimes, a senior majoring in computer information systems. He works in the Multicultural Center and plans to pursue a master’s degree in higher education.

The Publication Award for video-computer software is presented to the individual or institution that has developed outstanding materials that contribute significantly to the field of student affairs. This year’s winner is UA Productions, a student-led multimedia production department within the Division of Student Affairs. These students were awarded for an interactive CD-ROM about ROCK Camp, a program for incoming first-year students developed by First Year Experience Programs. The CD features interactive menus and forms for registering for the camp, as well as videos and photographs that highlight the entire ROCK Camp experience. The students involved with this production are Keith Roehrenbeck, a sophomore from Little Rock; John Robinson, a sophomore from Tulsa, Okla., and Chris Bryan, a sophomore from Fayetteville, Ark. These students are supervised by Scott Flanagin, coordinator of communications and outreach for the Division of Student Affairs.

All winners are automatically entered into the NASPA national awards competition.

“I am extremely proud of all of these award winners,” Brazzell said. “I know they are doing excellent work for the students at this university, and it is gratifying to see this work recognized by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.”