Sarah Rock Named September Employee of the Month

September 30, 2014

Sarah Rock

Sarah Rock, a fiscal specialist (gifts processing) in the Office of Development, was named Monday as Old Dominion University's September Employee of the Month.

Rock, who has been employed at ODU since July 2012, was presented a framed certificate and check for $175 by ODU President John R. Broderick during a Sept. 29 ceremony at the Office of Development. She will also receive a day of recognition leave in conjunction with the honor.

In a nominating recommendation, Mike Roggow, accounting supervisor for Foundations in the Office of Development, noted that Rock, in addition to performing her regular duties at a high level, also has been assisting the accounting team in preparing for an annual audit.

"Sarah was especially beyond her job description, and has been a huge help," he wrote. "Through it all, she has maintained a positive and productive attitude."

Maggie Libby Davis, accounting director for Foundations, and Rick Massey, associate vice president for Foundations, echoed Roggow's nomination.

"She's gone beyond her gift processing duties to assist with audit preparations, and her work with the footnotes saved us loads of time and effort - not only did she step in for us, she did a bang up job of it," Davis said. "She's a true asset to our team, and if you asked her to define an asset and where it goes on the statement of financial position, I bet she could totally do it now."

Rock previously was named Employee of the Month in March 2014 for "going above and beyond" in training to take over the duties of a colleague who was preparing for maternity leave while also assisting in audit preparations.

DETAILS ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH PROCESS

The University Employee of the Month Selection Committee encourages employees to nominate their outstanding, "go the extra mile" colleagues and employees. This program is designed to acknowledge and reward employees whose accomplishments and/or demeanor exemplify excellence, quality service and commitment to ODU. Classified and AP faculty employees receive a framed certificate from the president, $175 and one day of leave. Hourly winners get $250, since they are not eligible to receive recognition leave.

Note: The selection committee needs specific examples that relate to each applicable criterion in order to select a nominee for the award. Nominations remain active for six months from date of submission and nominators may submit additional documentation to support a nominee during the active six months.

The criteria used to nominate an employee include the following:

• An outstanding accomplishment that benefited the department/students.
• Extraordinary service to internal and/or external customers.
• Inspiring initiative/leadership.
• Enthusiasm/energy given to assigned work.
• Teamwork.
• Exemplary efforts to nurture a climate of care, concern and civility.
• Creative innovations to service, process or work tools.

For more information contact Tony Belk at jbelk@odu.edu or 683-3046, or visit ODU's Employee of the Month website.