This year’s Lone Pine Award Ceremony on May 14 honored 10 staff members from across Dartmouth with tributes and a reception in the Grand Ballroom of the Hanover Inn.
Rachel Muñoz, interim leader of Human Resources, greeted the award winners and thanked a buoyant crowd of about 100 supporters for coming out “to recognize some of Dartmouth’s most dedicated and accomplished staff members.”
Lone Pine Award recipients are selected from among nominations submitted by staff, faculty, and students. President Sian Leah Beilock said it was “a joy” to read the nominating letters, which described employees who go above and beyond—leading, collaborating, and innovating, and “doing crucial work quietly behind the scenes.”
President Beilock thanked the award winners for their efforts, which she contrasted against nationwide conversations questioning the value, purpose, and relevance of higher education.
“Our people are showing every day how things can be done differently, that we can train leaders, come together to solve hard issues, conduct research that truly changes the world,” Beilock said. “All of that work begins in rooms like this, with the commitment, institutional knowledge, talent, and sheer dedication of the Dartmouth staff.”
The Sheila Culbert Distinguished Employee Award, Dartmouth’s highest recognition for a staff member, went to Laura McDaniel, senior grant manager for the humanities and interdisciplinary programs and assistant director of the Society of Fellows. The award recognizes exemplary work, relentless pursuit of excellence, and selfless, unwavering dedication to Dartmouth.
Beilock, who presented the award, lauded McDaniel’s commitment to each of her roles.
As assistant director of the Society of Fellows, McDaniel is tasked each year with reviewing more than 1,000 highly qualified applicants, quickly building consensus within “a small but passionate committee,” and selecting just six for the prestigious fellowships, Beilock said. “It’s one of the many jobs she does seamlessly.”
McDaniel is never afraid to innovate, “adapting during COVID to still onboard new fellows and build a sense of community, creating a new process to better support pre-award faculty private grants, and, most memorably, planning and hosting a reunion that brought fellows together from all over the world,” Beilock said, quoting from a nomination. “She is our fellows’ first window into what makes Dartmouth special.”
As senior grant manager, McDaniel supports faculty members through complex application processes, and is always available to respond to faculty or take an unscheduled meeting, Beilock said.
These examples “speak to Laura’s superpowers: empathy, communication, and above all, a belief in human connection,” she said.
Excellence Awards were given to nine other exemplary employees. Each received a monetary award and an engraved Simon Pearce bowl.
Collaboration Award
Olivier Gilloux, associate director of advancement technology and data strategy in the Advancement Division, receives the Collaboration Award from Ann Root Keith, chief advancement officer. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)
Innovation Award
David Pack, director of student involvement; Natalie Kittikul, associate director of student involvement; Gavin Bibeau, assistant director of student involvement; and Anna Hall, co-interim associate dean for student life, receive the Innovation Award from Nina Pavcnik, inaugural dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)
Passion and Commitment Award
Kelly Mousley, assistant director of Campus Services human resources, receives the Passion and Commitment Award from Julie Findley, chief financial and administrative officer for Campus Services. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Award
Shea Roll, staff engagement liaison in library administration, receives the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Award from Provost Santiago Schnell. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)
Leadership Award
Alicea Bursey, manager of administrative services for Dartmouth Cancer Center and Geisel School of Medicine, receives the Leadership Award from Steven Leach, interim dean of Geisel. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)
Not present at the ceremony was Sukdith “Sukie” Punjasthitkul, research cyberinfrastructure data security manager with Information, Technology, and Consulting, the recipient of this year’s Unsung Hero Award.
