The West Virginia University Division of Student Affairs is proud to announce the recipients of the 2012 Hall of Fame and Outstanding Achievement Award winners at the induction ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 10) in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

The Student Affairs Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented to JoAnn and Dr. Nicholas Evans. The Student Affairs Hall of Fame Award will be presented to Mary Ann Barill, Sally Duncil and Barbara Wilkins.

Student Affairs Outstanding Achievement Award

The Evans’ have helped countless students graduate from WVU over their combined 60-plus years of service. Nick started as a WVU student and earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctoral degree at the University. After that, it seemed he couldn’t leave and started a long career of giving back. He joined the English faculty in 1967. Later, he served as an academic advisor with the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Advising Center, where he was eventually promoted to director and associate dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

He was the “go-to guy” in Student Affairs, and many students turned to him because of his dedication to treating each student with the respect and dignity. He mentored academic advisors and other staff in all areas of the University. Because of his dedication, the Nicholas G. Evans Award for Excellence in Academic Advising honors his memory today at WVU.

JoAnn is a legend in the Honors Program for her dedication to the success of her students. She was the surrogate mother for Honors students away from home for the first time and had a genuine interest in helping students, going well beyond punching a time clock and the normal workday.

She became the executive program assistant for the Honors College in 1987 and has served as an advocate for Honors students ever since. Prior to retiring after 20 years at WVU, she loved helping students solve all their problems – be they academic, social, or personal in nature. She is known for being a mentor and friend of students.

Students found the Evans’ approachable, and their colleagues found them humble and respectable. They are truly deserving of this award, which celebrates their dedication to WVU.

Student Affairs Hall of Fame

Barill worked in Residential Education as the front desk employee who answered all parent and student questions and concerns, and she greeted everyone who entered the building. She worked tireless hours, teaching some students how to do laundry while simply listening to others when they most needed it. She reassured them that they would be successful.

Students that have graduated speak fondly of Barill; many of them say she was the reason they stayed at WVU. Her focus was always on what was best for students, and she went out of her way to make certain students knew WVU was their home away from home.

Barill later moved to the administrative offices of Residential Education, where she assisted resident faculty leaders, resident assistants and residence hall coordinators. Her colleagues called her an “invaluable resource.” In 2007, she moved to the Mountaineer Parents Club, where she quickly built relationships with parents of WVU students while assisting with key recruitment events such as Mountaineer Visitation Days, New Student Orientation and open houses.

Barill has demonstrated throughout her career the heart of being truly “student focused.” Her positive attitude and joy were evident in everyday tasks and event planning.

Her genuine warmth and compassion created a bond to the University that few can achieve. Her motives were always selfless. The respect and integrity that Barill has brought to Student Affairs through her work has exemplified faithfulness to the ideals and goals of WVU.

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Duncil graduated from WVU in 1960 with a degree in home economics, and five years later she returned, this time to work as a dietician and food service supervisor in WVU Housing. During her more than 38 years of service, she witnessed and participated in major changes at WVU. After several years with Dining Services, she moved to the Housing and Residential Education administrative office. Duncil has touched the lives of many of the employees in both of those departments.

She loved working with students and says they enabled her to keep a youthful, positive attitude. She wanted to be a good influence for them and to make a difference in their lives. She appreciated the spirit and love for WVU those on campus had.

Duncil was always dedicated and proud of her work. As a stickler for cleanliness and good quality food, she provided WVU students with the comforts of their favorite delicious foods from home.

Prior to retiring in 2004, she helped write cookbooks, participated in wellness programs, kept track of payroll and leave and was considered by all to be a team player. Even after retiring, she continues supporting and learning from the University. She now belongs to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WVU that provides educational classes and social interaction. Duncil also participates in Active for Life, sponsored by WVU Extension Service and is a regular participant in the Pioneer Home Economics/Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Luncheon.

Duncil’s many years of dedicated service to the University and her spirit and love for the students, staff and faculty make her an excellent addition to the Student Affairs Hall of Fame.

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Wilkins began her work at WVU as an assistant in the Environmental Research Center in 1992. After five months, she began working in Boreman Hall as a fill-in cook. Wilkins was so well liked that she was hired as a full-time worker one month later.

During her time spent working at the Boreman Bistro, she was promoted to lead cook and eventually to supervisor. She described her position as a “floor supervisor,” a job that included preparing the dining hall and making sure everyone was doing his or her job. Wilkins enjoyed each of the different positions she held and says she learned something new everyday.

Wilkins loved her colleagues, especially the student workers. She became very close with other full-time workers and recalls their tradition of collecting money and buying flowers for each worker’s birthday and exchanging gifts around the holidays.

Wilkins says her time at WVU was extremely rewarding. She is a firm believer that if you love what you do, your job can be very enjoyable. Considering she missed just two days over the course of her 20-year career, it is easy to see that she loved her job. Her enthusiasm and kindness were evident to all those she worked with and every student she met.

The Inaugural Herman L. Moses Scholarship Award recipients will also be recognized at this event. The winners are: Jacqueline Riggleman, lead intern of WVUp All Night, Mountainlair, and Dererick Rhodes, night operations assistant supervisor at the Mountainlair.

For more information about the program or the recipients of the 2012 Hall of Fame Award and Outstanding Achievement Award, contact Sonja Wilson, event program coordinator, at Sonja.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-2702.

-WVU-

10/05/12

CONTACT: Sonja Wilson, Hall of Fame Program Coordinator
304-293-2702, Sonja.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu

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