Administrative Support
The Outstanding Classified Employee awards are chosen by nominations received by the Awards Committee from all faculty, staff, and students at VIMS. They are awarded in the categories of Facilities/Safety/Trades, Research and Advisory Service, Technical Support, and Administrative Support.
The winner of the 2008 Outstanding Classified Employee for Administrative Support is Diane Perry.
It is with great pleasure that we honor Diane Perry as the recipient of the VIMS Award for Outstanding Administrative Support. Diane has worked in the Office of the Director for Research and Advisory Service for 20 years for all three individuals who have held the position. She has succeeded in keeping all of those individuals organized (no minor task), amassed a strong corporate understanding of the advisory role of the institution, is the corporate memory of the Willard A. Van Engle Fellowship Committee, and more frequently than most individuals appreciate, she is the director of routing enquiries to the institutional staff that provide the eventual response to our multitude of outside clients.
Diane is a wonderful example of the philosophy of exemplary service to all who come to this institution, be they friend or even “foe.” Diane is the example for an executive assistant—efficient, thoughtful, considerate, and so very tolerant of demanding and disorganized administrators. Diane thrives in the dynamic office environment. She is never fazed, even when the “immediate tasks” vary from responding to congressional questions (like the Senator’s Chief of Staff is on the phone now!) to a waterman in the lobby with a bucket full of whelks, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure a job well done. Diane is a rare example of courtesy, knowledge, and southern grace all in one.
Diane is truly deserving of the Outstanding Classified Employee Award for Administrative Support.
Congratulations, Diane!