Anderson Oconee Pickens

Susan Ruark Receives Tri-County’s Staff Excellence Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/16/2005
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON ---Susan Ruark, grants accountant for Tri-County Technical College, was honored Tuesday (August 16) with the highest award given for staff excellence at the College.

Ruark, of Anderson, received the Presidential Medallion for Staff Excellence at the annual faculty/staff breakfast. The medallion, along with a cash award made possible by the Alumni Association, goes to a person who has demonstrated over and over a strong belief in the purpose and mission of the College.

Ruark joined the College in 2002 after 16 years as an accountant for Winthrop University.

"The College's vision states that it will be the role model for community college education through dedication to high standards, a nurturing environment, community alliance and innovative leadership. Susan Ruark demonstrates every day that she is dedicated to the highest standards in accounting principles, in her treatment of others and in her work ethic," said co-worker Debbie Norris in her nomination.

Norris referenced Ruark's leadership and involvement in the successful implementation of Banner Finance, a new web-based administrative software system that will improve the College's effectiveness through improved institutional practices and data access. "The Banner training alone has been the equivalent of a full-time job, but Susan also does what is needed to complete her other job responsibilities even if it means working extra hours," added Norris.

In addition Ruark has focused on professional development activities through her participation in the President's Leadership Program, and her active membership in Government Finance Officers Association. She also earned a certificate from the College Business Management Institute, a program that requires more than 60 hours of training to enhance knowledge of the functions of business and administration.

"Susan is the consummate professional, who provides outstanding services and does it with a smile," said Glenn Hellenga, director of the College's Workforce Investment Act office, in his nomination.

"Any successful organization has many persons who make invaluable contributions without necessarily being involved in more than the day-to-day operations of the College," wrote Hellenga. "Susan is not one of them. She is definitely a big-picture person who anticipates the needs of the consumers and meets them often times before the consumer recognizes the need," he said.

"Listed among the College' values in our mission statement are the words integrity, responsibility, accessibility, collaboration and learning. These words also are apt descriptors of Susan," continued Hellenga. "She not only demonstrates these values, but encourages them in others. She is the type of leader who leads by example. In doing so, she creates a harmonious work environment that fosters teamwork in all of her dealings with others. Susan is the epitome of the kind of person the Commission had in mind when it adopted a resolution to honor staff excellence."

Ruark holds an associate of arts in Accounting from Louisburg College. She and her husband, Robert, live in Anderson and are members of Grace Episcopal Church in Anderson. They have a daughter, Hannah Eskridge, of Raleigh, N.C., and a son, Sam Ruark, of Asheville, N.C.