The 2010 Woman Of Distinction Award recipients are joined by LHU administrators and members of the President's Council on the Status of Women. Left to right: Dr. Barbara Dixon, Judy Hughes, Krissy Meeker, Caroll Rhodes, Dr. Cheryl Newburg, Albert Jones, and PCSW board members Dr. Tara Mitchell and Dr. Erin Kennedy.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - At the August 26 opening meeting, Lock Haven University honored four employees with Women of Distinction Awards. Albert Jones, assistant to the president and associate director of human resources, presented the awards on behalf of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women. Two staff members and two faculty members received Woman of Distinction Awards.

Judy E. Hughes, Clearfield Campus clerical supervisor, was named a 2010 Staff Woman of Distinction in recognition of the work she does with facilities, admissions, and with the interim dean. The statement nominating Hughes said that she “consistently solves problems in a timely fashion” and “is quite forward thinking.” The nominator also stated, “Her attention to detail is impressive. She is always well prepared for meetings and events, prioritizes, adheres to deadlines, and is excellent with follow-up. Whenever there is a Clearfield Campus event, no matter how small or large, Judy always ensures that it runs smoothly.” The nomination concluded, “Judy exemplifies the meaning of this award and is a role model for women at our university.”

Also named a 2010 Staff Woman of Distinction was Kristine M. Meeker, secretary/educational program coordinator for LHU’s Small Business Development Center. The nominating statement lauded Meeker’s contributions to Lock Haven, Inc.’s Hometown Hero Banner Program. Meeker is chairperson of the program, which was initiated in 2007 as a way to recognize and honor local veterans. The first round of banners was unveiled in May, 2008. The program has been so successful that it led to a weekly series in The Express newspaper called “The Lives Behind the Banners” and prompted local artist George Stefanski to paint a large mural on a building on Vesper Street depicting several of the people pictured on banners. The Hometown Hero committee is now preparing to solicit for a third round of banners starting in October.

Carroll J. Rhodes, director of student support in Lock Haven University’s’ Development and Counseling Department, received a 2010 Faculty Woman of Distinction Award for her “long history of promoting women’s issues.” From October 1977 to July 1984, she was the executive director for the Clinton County Women’s Shelter and founder of the Clinton County Women’s Center’s domestic violence project. The nominating statement noted, “This was an unpaid position for the first five years she held it until funding was obtained through the PA Department of Welfare Fund to establish an on-going fund.” In this position, “She delivered hot-line services, counseling, referrals for emergency shelter, and community education programs.” Rhodes has served as a board member of the City of Lock Haven State Enterprise Zone since 1995 and was elected as chair of the board in 2005. As a member of the all-female band The Sirens, she has helped raise funds for many university and community organizations.

Associate Professor of Psychology Cheryl Newburg was named a 2010 Faculty Woman of Distinction for being “an excellent role model, teacher, mentor and advocate for students” during her nineteen years at Lock Haven University. The nominating statement pointed out that “Dr. Newburg has already been recognized by her peers as an excellent teacher and mentor.” She received the Linda Emanuel Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) Peers’ Choice Award for Teaching in 1998 and the TLC Peers’ Choice Award for Advisement in 2007. She is supervisor for almost all pre-professional internships completed by psychology majors. The nominator observed that “Most psychology majors plan to be counselors and Dr. Newburg’s private practice work, as well as her teaching serve as models for students.” From 2007 to 2009, she served on the university’s Gender Issue/Sexual Harassment Committee.

In the spring, graduating sociology/social work major Jennifer Alles received the 2010 Student Woman of Achievement Award. She was recognized for her service as president of the LHU Women’s Coalition and as student representative to the President’s Commission on the Status of Women. She played leadership roles in organizing a vigil against domestic violence, organizing a screening of a film about eating disorders, and leading the Women’s Coalition’s Take Back the Night event.