Helen Kegler knew something was up when Dean Don O’Meara walked into her office. “He is kind of like our ‘message carrier,’ so when he walked in I was very surprised,” said Kegler. “And when he informed me that I had won [the RWC Distinguished Staff Award], it felt great. It makes you feel special.”
Kegler has been at RWC for 20 years, twelve of them as the Multicultural Student Affairs Officer. Additionally, she is a dedicated member of several other committees at RWC: the Peace Steering Committee, Diversity Committee, and Multicultural Council. Kegler is also a major reason that RWC has remained part of the First Book program; a national non-profit organization that strives to give children in low-income families the opportunity to own their own new books to encourage reading.
Yet winning the Distinguished Staff Award was a complete surprise. “I didn’t even know I was up for nomination,” Kegler added.
The award selection committee, headed by the Vice Chair of Staff Council Neil Sharrow, puts out announcements every year around November, calling for nominations. Then the five-member committee, made up of one faculty, a student, a staff member, the previous years’ award winner, and Sharrow, determine the winner based on the evidence of dedication, leadership, and professionalism the nominees demonstrate. Nominees must also have worked at RWC for at least three years, working at least 80% of a full-time position.
“The UC Raymond Walters College Staff Distinguished Service Award is given to a deserving staff member to recognize and honor one individual who has, over time, demonstrated outstanding contributions to the college,” Sharrow explained via email.
Recent winners are Kathy Schmadel, Senior Admissions Officer, who won last year; Debbie Smith, Director of Registration (2008); and Tom Minter, Director of Intake Services (2007).
Kegler was quick to give credit to her fellow staff members and to RWC students for her achievement.
“I am very grateful, thankful, and humbled [to receive the award]. Whatever I have done here, I haven’t done alone. It has all been with the participation of students, faculty, and staff,” she said.