Winners embody great service

By Allie Ward

To be recognized by a boss or a superior is an honor; however, to be honored by a co-worker or a peer is a different kind of feeling.

“To know that my colleagues have the respect to nominate me really makes me feel good,” said Dr. Anne Carroll, associate professor in the Department of Finance and one of this year’s Elliott awardees.

Susan Dintrone and Anne Sears were also named as winners of the prestigious award.

The Board of Trustees established the Frank N. Elliott Award for Distinguished Service in 1990 when former university President Elliott retired. Three awards are given out each year to a member of the administration, the faculty and the support staff.

“I was shocked,” said Dintrone, an administrative associate in the Department of Teacher Education. “I didn’t even think that anyone really knew who I was.”

Dintrone, who has three children, two of whom attend Rider, has been working at the university for five years and serves as a secretary to a number of faculty members and adjuncts.

Dr. Tamar Jacobson, chair of the Department of Teacher Education, works closely with Dintrone.

“Sue is a true professional,” Jacobson said. “She is kind and helpful, extremely well-organized and fun to be around.”

Carroll, Dintrone and Sears received plaques and kind words from President Mordechai Rozanski at the faculty and staff convocation on Aug. 28.

Sears, director of External Affairs for Westminster Choir College (WCC), has worked with the school for 22 years and manages communication and community outreach. She feels the selection process makes the award special.

“I think when you consider how the recipients are selected for nomination by colleagues, it makes it especially meaningful,” Sears said. “[They are] all people who I really have great respect and admiration for.”

Sears said the students are the best part of working at Westminster because they are remarkable and truly make the world a better place.

This year’s Elliott awardees will become a part of the
selection committee, made up of prior honorees. They are responsible for choosing next year’s winners.

Carroll, who has been teaching at the university since 1986, will look for certain qualities when reviewing the nominations.

“It’s one thing to participate and do a lot, but I think showing leadership is important,” she said.

And it was leadership that earned Carroll her award. Debbie Stasolla, associate vice president for Planning, worked closely with Carroll on a few different occasions.

“I quickly came to appreciate her work ethic, her
leadership skills and her willingness to roll up her sleeves to get an important job done,” said Stasolla. “Anne has a keen understanding of the institution, a passion for teaching and a strong commitment to our students.”

Although each winner has different responsibilities and job titles and may even be from different campuses, there seems to be a common thread among them: the students.

“It’s just very fulfilling,” Sears said. “I enjoy playing a role in shaping the lives of the students.”

Carroll believes the best part about teaching is seeing that light bulb go off in students’ heads when they “get it.”

As for Dintrone, she enjoys her relationships with the people she meets.

“I like seeing all the kids,” she said. “I came here with three children and I wound up with about 600 children.”