The 2002 Employee of the Year Awards were given to Cecil Price, the director of Student Health Services, and Janet Williamson, an administrative assistant in the office of Creative Services, during the Staff Employee Awards Recognition luncheon Oct. 29. Both Price and Williamson were awarded ,000 from the university.

The human resources department sponsored the program to recognize employees who embody a devotion to duty, innovation, safety and heroism.

"This program was created last year because we just want to say thanks to all the staff members who make contributions to the university,"said Doris McLaughlin, the director of equal opportunity and employee relations manager. "We just wish we could give out an award to everyone."

Williamson was elated to hear of that she had been awarded the honor. "It is hard to describe how I felt when I realized I was the winner. Maybe something like my heart in my throat," she said. "I think that this program is a wonderful incentive to encourage everyone to do their very best for their department and for Wake Forest."

This year's nominees for employee of the year were: Anne Bishop, Information Systems; Jeff Bowman, IS; Kathy Bunn, Registrar's Office; Jim Coffey, Facilities Management; Kristie Covey, IS; Debbie Deheck, Graduate School; Martha S. Edwards, University Advancement; Max Floyd, Athletics; Faye Fulk, School of Law; Dana Hutchens, Career Services; Maureen Lister, Music; Cecil Price, Student Health Service; James Rae, University Police; Tricia Richardson, Residence Life and Housing; Steven Wicker, Mathematics; and Kim Wieters, Financial and Accounting Service.

Other nominees include: Carol Brehm, Music; Cindy Davis, Biology; Lynn Ebert, Babcock School; Connie Green, English; Robin Hawkins, Education; Alton Hill, Residence Life and Housing; Zella Johnson, Biology; Carol Lavis, Theatre; Randy MacDonald, University Police; Hazel (Rusty) Smithey, Calloway School; and Janet Williamson, Creative Services.

"I love my job, take pride in my work, try to represent Wake Forest the best I can, and keep a positive attitude about whatever I am assigned," Williamson said.

McLaughlin explained how the Employee of the Year awards are selected. "The winners are both nominated and selected by their peers," she said. "There is a selection committee that uses a three-tier standard to rate all the nominees, before they chose the winner."

At the Staff Employee Awards Recognition Luncheon the Thirty Years Club Inductees were awarded, as well. These inductees are: Yvonne Greenlee, Student Health Service; Sandra Jacobs, Facilities Management; Bob Mills, Advancement; and Laura Spear, ZSR Library.

"We just wanted to thank and honor these wonderful people who have given this school so much," McLaughlin said.