Carlene Arthur, a retired operations coordinator for the Center for Gerontology in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, has received the university’s 2018 Staff Career Achievement Award.

Arthur retired from the university in 2017 after 22 years of service.

Created in 2011 to recognize retiring staff members, the Staff Career Achievement Award is presented annually to individuals who retired the previous year and who distinguished themselves through exemplary performance and service during their university career. Nominees must have worked a minimum of 10 years at Virginia Tech. Each recipient is awarded a $1,000 cash prize.

Arthur embraced the opportunity to help shape the Center for Gerontology and the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment with the enthusiasm, commitment, and professionalism that were the hallmarks of her career.

Arthur far exceeded the expectations for her position. On top of her roles at the center and institute, she assumed additional duties and responsibilities at both organizations. Among these additional responsibilities, Arthur coordinated an 18-month renovation of the Wallace Annex that became the new home of the center and institute, planned and managed the center’s annual awards and recognition celebration, served as the Virginia Tech liaison for the 2008 ISCE Summit in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland, and helped coordinate several research projects.

“No matter what was asked of her, Carlene approached all assignments with thoughtful determination, care, and enthusiasm, which resulted in high quality outcomes. Without fail, Carlene went out of her way to make sure the faculty, research staff, and students at ISCE and the Center were in a position to succeed, which reflected positively not only on the institute and Center but clearly embodied the motto of Virginia Tech, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),” wrote Rosemary Blieszner, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, in a letter of nomination.

In 2015, Arthur received the President’s Award for Excellence in recognition of for her outstanding contributions and consistently excellent performance.

Written by Laurie Stacy