Vanessa Bell Receives Outstanding Staff Member Award
by Andy Moseley - reprinted with permission from the October 2000 Mariners' Log
The Outstanding Staff Member Award is given out each year at the fall Convocation for the College's staff and faculty. The award is presented to recognize and reward staff members who demonstrate outstanding performance, achievements, and innovation on the job. Congratulations to this year's winner, Vanessa "Ma" Bell, who works for the Athletics Department assisting faculty and students in athletics and physical education.
This year marks the third year that this award has been given. The first recipient, recognized in 1998, was Mr. Riley Brown; last year's recipient was Mrs. Syble Wick.
Any regular staff member may be nominated for the award. The criteria for the award include that the person nominated exemplifies excellence as a staff member during the year under consideration. Among the criteria for demonstrating excellence are a positive attitude, genuine interest in people with whom the person works, a high degree of work ethic, and an understanding of the importance of students as the key to the college's reaching its instructional mission. Another key criterion is supporting the college and its goals in a professional manner. Further, the individual recognized should be innovative and creative in solving problems. It sounds as if someone looked at Ms. Bell and then wrote the criteria to fit her.
One person who nominated "Ma" Bell referred to her as "the best kept secret on our campus." She is humble and does not do things seeking to be given special recognition. Instead she simply pitches in to do the job that needs to be done, regardless of the job. One person noted, "Regardless of the situation, Vanessa finds something positive on which to focus and moves forward. Her positive attitude is contagious and it has made a huge difference to many students, faculty, and staff on the campus." Another colleague writes, "She is an advocate of Coastal Georgia Community College. She never fails to have a smile for everyone she meets. She has a charming personality and unlimited energy."
Several people stated that Ms. Bell treats CGCC athletes as if they were her own children. She helps them to manage their money if personal finances and a tight budget are a new responsibility for them or could possibly create problems. Support of student athletes is a family affair; "she is effective as Ma Bell because Tom shares her philosophy," notes one person, while another says, "How many times have I seen the bus loaded with cheerleaders heading off campus with Tom at the wheel?" They share many responsibilities associated with athletics.
She attends all of the ball games, arriving early and not leaving until everything is in place. "Ma" Bell has adopted the players as her own-they gave her the nickname-looking for housing, furniture, and cars. She teaches them to cope and often cooks for their special events. In fact, you can often find her working well into the night at school, when she could be home with her husband. "Ma" Bell also oversees the annual sports banquet that honors all student athletes. That entails planning the event, preparing the food, ordering plaques or trophies, and sending out special invitations.
Ms. Bell was very active in the Relay for Life walk-a-thon as one of the college leaders for the 2000 team, which made a very successful showing during the activities; she helped organize fund-raising activities as well. She continues the tradition of having an athletics calendar printed and serves as its chief editor. In addition, she is responsible for managing many aspects of the annual golf marathon, including collecting donations, organizing volunteers, and recruiting participants. When the evening is over, she tries to chase down donations.
Her dependability is demonstrated by her support not only for athletics but for the Science Fair and the Health Fair as well. One comment that might sum up thoughts on Vanessa is that "Coach Cox would be lost without her, and just as he was the Coach of the Year, she deserves to be recognized as the Staff Member of the Year!"
A special plaque that recognizes the Outstanding Staff Member for the year hangs in the lobby of the Administration Building. The name Vanessa Bell will appear on the plaque as the 2000 recipient. Congratulations!
