The Lone Pine Excellence Awards were celebrated in person, after a three-year hiatus, at a reception in the Hanover Inn ballroom with President Philip J. Hanlon ’77 and other senior leaders offering thanks to the people whose vital work is often not in the spotlight.
Executive Vice President Rick Mills welcomed the crowd of more than 100 people on Sept. 21, including coworkers and family members who turned out to cheer and applaud the awardees.
Mills said that he has learned over his career that building a great academic institution is about more than implementing the latest technology or building state-of-the art facilities.
“What really makes a great academic place is the people. It’s not the buildings, it’s not the technology, it’s the people. And it’s the people from custodial staff to chemical-stocking staff, to the faculty, to the students, to the financial person who processes transactions, to the human resources folks who plan events and help hire people,” he said.
“And Dartmouth, more than anywhere I’ve ever seen, embodies a place where it is the people who make it special,” he said.
President Hanlon underscored the gratitude that his senior leadership team has for the people whose daily efforts makes Dartmouth extraordinary.
“It is a joy for me to be here today for this year’s Lone Pine Excellence Awards, and to all of our awardees, congratulations. It is an absolute privilege to celebrate and honor you today,” he said.
“As much as today is a day to recognize our colleagues’ achievements and contributions to our campus, it is also an opportunity for us in senior leadership to say thank you to all members of Dartmouth’s exceptional staff,” Hanlon said. “It’s your heavy lifting that so often makes the ambitions of our community possible.”
The Lone Pine Excellence Awards, launched in 2018 by the Office of Human Resources, recognize excellence in six categories: collaboration, innovation, leadership, passion, and commitment; unsung hero; and diversity and inclusion.
The program also awards the Sheila Culbert Distinguished Employee Award, established in 2008 by former President James Wright and his wife, Susan DeBevoise Wright, to honor a Dartmouth staff member who is selfless and unwavering in their dedication to Dartmouth, and relentless in the pursuit of excellence.
The Sheila Culbert Distinguished Employee Award
The Lone Pine Excellence awards were presented in six categories:
The Collaboration Award
The Innovation Award
The Leadership Award
The Passion and Commitment Award
The Unsung Hero Award—Geisel
The Unsung Hero Award—Campus Services
The Diversity and Inclusion Award
