On Tuesday, April 4, Randolph-Macon recognized 11 dedicated staff members during the College’s semi-annual Yellow Jacket Awards ceremony in Birdsong Hall.

President Robert Lindgren expressed gratitude for the important role the RMC staff plays every day in helping bring the College’s vision to life.

“You make RMC a better place,” President Lindgren said. “Which is why we take time twice a year to come together to recognize a few of our colleagues for their remarkable work, always keeping in mind that today’s awardees are representative of Randolph-Macon staff everywhere on campus.”

Yellow Jacket Awards were given to staff members who were identified and nominated by their peers as exceptional employees. Each award recipient received a certificate and a cash award.

Remarks for each employee, shared by President Lindgren, are excerpted below.

The Excellence in Service award is given to an employee who provides excellent service to students, staff, faculty, parents, alumni, or visitors. Two staff members received this award.

Tracie Meadows

Lead Mail Services Coordinator

“Tracie joined the Physical Plant team in April 2021, responsible for the sorting, delivery and tracking of all mail and packages for all faculty, staff, and students – all 1,800 of us!

Hers is a vital service to the College, but the inner workings of our mailroom on a daily basis go mostly unnoticed…which is a good thing.

Always pleasant, cheerful, helpful and committed to excellence, Tracie has improved our mail service significantly with thoughtful insight, excellent ideas, and attention to detail.”

Kristen Sauer ‘00

Assistant Director of Visit Experience

“Kristen returned to her alma mater about 18 months ago. Her primary responsibility is encouraging individual students to visit campus and ensuring they have an excellent experience once they are here.

She also is involved in so much more within the Admissions Office, executing successfully our six Preview Days and taking over the management of our tour guides – a hugely important component of our recruitment efforts.

And her important role means you can find Kristen at just about every Admissions event that the College hosts, pitching in, making the experience better for prospective Yellow Jackets and their families.”

The Excellence Behind the Scenes award is given to a staff member who provides excellent service behind the scenes, showing initiative and drive, and making Randolph-Macon a better place for work and study. Five staff members were presented this award.

Debbie Harless

Custodian Team Leader

“Debbie has demonstrated great initiative and hard work since joining Randolph-Macon over two years ago. Her outstanding work ethic and attention to detail enabled her to move quickly into one of our two team leader roles. Supervising half of our custodial staff, Debbie strives to ensure coverage and quality service in 23 buildings across the campus, which has in turn prompted kudos to her and her team from many of the occupants of those buildings.

Debbie’s pride in her work is contagious, making RMC a better place for our students, faculty, and other staff members.”

Coretta Smith

Custodian

“Coretta came to Randolph-Macon in February 2020, and her areas have included the Athletics Annex and Andrews Hall.

She is a very effective employee in her department and is well respected by her manager, supervisor, and co-workers. She is always willing to help out when needed. And just recently, Coretta moved to our new Duke Hall.

She always pays close attention to her responsibilities, making sure the areas for which she is responsible are clean and where needed, disinfected, helping improve student hygiene and health.”

Diane Munsey

Administrative Assistant, Advancement Services

“While her duties seem largely behind the scenes, Diane directly or indirectly interacts with many of Randolph-Macon’s most important alumni and donors, so the impact of her work is far from hidden. 

Diane’s attention to detail is superb as she helps our Advancement Services team maintain accurate, up-to-date data on the College’s alumni, parents, students, and employees.  Diane works diligently and conscientiously to make sure no errors get by her.”

Jason Engle

Head Football Athletic Trainer

“Jason works tirelessly to care for our football, men’s basketball, and men’s and women’s tennis teams, always taking time to work individually in order to treat the whole student-athlete – their mind, body, and spirit.

A role model for others in the Sports Medicine Department, he is always looking for ways to better serve his athletes. He recognizes they depend on him for more than just a sprained ankle or a torn ACL. Indeed, he’s a sounding board for mental health issues, a career mentor for students looking to go into healthcare professions, and possesses a wealth of knowledge about general health and nutrition.”

Marcie Krause

Assistant Director of Financial Aid

“Marcie completes her third year in the Financial Aid office this summer, demonstrating expertise in two key areas: data transmission, in the way she keeps data moving smoothly between internal and external systems; for example, she manages the flow of data between RMC and the US Department of Education. And, secondly, in compliance, where her attention to detail and keen eye for spotting issues ensure that our students meet federal standards and then receive timely payments.”

The Excellence as a Manager award is given to a mid-level manager who provides excellence in personnel and department leadership to include employee development, innovative ideas, time management, or use of College resources. Two staff members received this award.

Missy Stanley

Controller, Business Office

“Missy’s many responsibilities include overseeing Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Purchasing.  She effectively manages communication between these areas and makes sure the staff in each have what they need to do their jobs better.

Her management style could be called ‘leading with kindness,’ for she has gained the trust and admiration of the Business Office–through her generosity of spirit and her ability to help solve problems by working collaboratively.”

Doug Webb ‘76

Senior Director of Development for Athletics

“Doug rejoined the Randolph-Macon family in 2021 and hit the ground running, quickly becoming a valued member of the RMC community. 

Doug helps meet the pressing financial needs of 18 athletic teams, while helping to plan and facilitate a myriad of athletic events for our Yellow Jacket supporters. 

Additionally, he has been an integral part of our successful effort to raise funds to help complete Duke Hall as well as those needed to assure the Crenshaw Gymnasium renovation project will get started on time this spring.”

The Excellence as a Team Member award is given to an employee who exhibits outstanding teamwork and cooperation, both in their own department and with others. Two staff members were presented with this award.

TJ Horan

Director of Student Life

“TJ rises to whatever the situation demands and assists with activities across the College including Admissions Events, Welcome Week, Orientation, Boot Camp, and many others.

He is flexible and dedicated, always focused on finding solutions that serve students and appropriately reinforce the vision and mission of the College and his Office’s Student Engagement Center. TJ has been instrumental in efforts to streamline programming, enhance specific programmatic areas, and create new initiatives.”

Angel Thomas

Lab Support Coordinator, Biology

“Angel began working at RMC in October of 2021 and has become an essential part of the operations of her department. Angel is known as the departmental hub– with everything running through her—and is described as ‘the epitome of an ideal colleague.’

Her duties are extensive, requiring a high level of organization, strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to shift quickly from one project to another. She does all of this with a consistently positive approach.

Angel has been proactive in building and nurturing high-quality relationships with faculty and staff across the College, enabling and facilitating stronger connections and more efficient and effective outcomes.”