Davis receives Outstanding Contribution Award at UVa-Wise

Colleagues at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise praise Janice Davis for her hard work and dedication to every aspect of her job.

Davis is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award presented by the University of Virginia. Each year one staff member from UVa-Wise is selected to receive the Outstanding Contribution Award along with colleagues from U.Va. Letters of nomination are accepted from faculty and staff, with an awards committee making the final decision on the winner.

Davis, who receives a $1,000 cash award, was honored along with other U.Va. employees during a June 7 luncheon hosted in Charlottesville by U.Va. President John T. Casteen III.

“Everyone could use a Janice,” writes Julie Adkins-Scott, the director of the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center, where Davis works to keep the five-story facility glistening. “She not only maintains but excels in taking care of the multi-million dollar facility by herself. She always goes above and beyond her job responsibilities. She is a pleasure to be around, knows everything going on in the building, and gives of her time for the students and employees of the College.”

Davis, a Housekeeping and Apparel Worker I in the Division of Student Affairs, begins her day at 3 a.m. She tidies the 47,000-square-foot student center’s bathrooms and locker rooms first and then moves on to polish the building’s miles of glass and woodwork and clean an acre of floors.

“From approaching building staff with ideas and suggestions to requesting for supplies or equipment that will not necessarily make her job easier but will allow the building to look its best,” Dean of Students Jeff Howard writes in a letter of support. “Because of Janice, each person through the doors of the Slemp Student Center walks away with a sense of pride in the College.”

Davis says her five years at the College have been “the best job I’ve ever had.”

“This building is beautiful,” Davis says. “And the staff and students make it so easy to work here.”

The students love Davis, too. “Students do not realize the amount of work it takes for the Slemp Student Center to be in the shape that it is in everyday,” writes Deidra Lawson, a senior at UVa-Wise who also works as an assistant to the building’s director. “Without Janice, I know that the building would not be as wonderful as it is. No one is more deserving of this award than Janice.”

Davis lives in Coeburn with her husband, Douglas.

Posted June 14, 2007