The 10th annual Helen Shaw Staff Excellence and Special Achievement Award was presented to Scott Sferra, supervisor to Lions EMS, and Dave Conner, assistant director for Fraternity and Sorority Life on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
The award was created in January 2003 in honor of Helen D. Shaw, who graduated from the College in 1936. The award recognizes staff members for their exceptional efforts to advance and improve life at the College.
After months of evaluating all of the accomplished nominees, the selection committee chose Sferra and Conner for the award.
Sferra, associate director of Student Accounts, was commended for his service as supervisor of Lions Emergency Medical Service.
When Sferra took over as head of Lions EMS, he jumped aboard a sinking ship. Joe Hadge, the Alcohol and Drug Education program coordinator, who presented Sferra with the award, explained how at the time, the program was at risk of being shut down.
“Without Scott’s acceptance of leading, Lions EMS, it might not be here today,” Hadge said.
Using experience from his 12-year membership at Pennington Road First Aid Unit, Sferra transformed Lions EMS for the better. Consisting of over 30 student volunteers, Lions EMS has become a vital aspect of the campus community. Last year, Lions EMS completed 205 emergency responses.
“The ability to work with students who are well trained and who have the compassion to help others,” Sferra said, inspired him to work tirelessly for the program.
Conner was also recognized, but for his achievement of improving and legitimizing Greek life at the College.
Since he began his position, the participation of students in fraternities and sororities at the College has doubled, according to Hadge. When he established the President’s Ball, he solidified the position of fraternities and sororities in the College community. He also initiated the “5-4-5” program, which encourages fraternity and sorority life alumni to donate $5 for five years to Greek life at the College.
“He is always available when we need him,” said senior history major Claire Huynh, a member of Theta Phi Alpha and the VP of Programming for the Inter-Greek Council.
Conner, known to be social media-savvy, is appreciated by many students for his devotion and enthusiasm for the program.
“(Conner) is by far the most dedicated and hard-working faculty that I have personally encountered,” said senior political science major and Phi Kappa Psi brother Parth Parikh.
“When it is done right, Greek life is the best thing happening on any college campus,” Conner said.
All of the nominees were applauded for their outstanding achievements. Carol Wells, the program assistant from the Department of Health and Exercise Science, as well as Lisa DeMarsico, Susan Hydro, Deirdre Queen, Regina Littwin and Danielle Reilly, from the Office of Graduate Studies, were all recognized for their exceptional commitments to excellence.
