EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Campus Recreation Employee Earns Top Award as the 2013 SFA Employee of the Year Award Each year, SFA Career Services collects nominations for a student employee who went above and beyond and awards them with the title of Employee of the Year. Students nominated are evaluated on six equally-weighted qualities: reliability, quality of work, initiative, attitude, professionalism, and uniqueness of contribution. The winning student receives a plaque and recognition in the Pine Log student newspaper and online on the Career Services website. They are also honored at the annual ODK Leadership Awards Banquet. Ryan Wigley has worked in the Campus Recreation Outdoor Pursuits program since Spring 2011, starting as an Outdoor Desk Assistant, then moving up to manager at the Outdoor Center and outdoor trip leader Fall 2011. He plans to graduate from SFA December 2013, then continue his education by pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Evan Coulson, former Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator, and Nathan Rector, former Outdoor Pursuits Graduate Assistant, nominated Ryan for the award. According to Evan, Ryan was a student who stood out. He was an excellent leader and mentor to the many student staffs with whom he worked. His work demonstrated his ability to communicate effectively, and he executed his responsibilities in a manner by which you could clearly see his sincere work ethic, an ethic built upon a commitment to quality. As a student manager with the Outdoor Pursuits program Ryan was directly responsible for four peers. As a trip leader for the program, he was directly responsible for hundreds more. His ability to lead by example and to find solutions to the diverse problems that arose led him to great success in keeping direct reports motivated and inspired, as well as his trip participants safe, engaged, and enjoying rich experiences. During his undergraduate career, Ryan has invested in his education by not only applying himself to his academics, but by also taking advantage of numerous opportunities to become involved on campus and within the Nacogdoches community. Of particular note is Ryan’s investment in leadership opportunities on intramural teams, through service organizations and within his faith community. Beyond his extracurricular activities, Ryan has consistently maintained commendable grades. We congratulate Ryan on his accomplishments as a student leader and believe he was very deserving of this prestigious award. To read more about the SFA Employee of the Year Award, please visit the Career Services website at www.sfasu.edu/careerservices.
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