2006
Outstanding Contribution Award
The
Employee Outstanding Contribution Award (EOCA) is given
annually to recognize a classified employee whose service
and contributions far exceed even exemplary performance.
This year seven exceptional employees were nominated and
considered for the Employee Outstanding Contribution Award.
The names of those individuals are as follows: Rachel Burgess, Diane Cornett, Jean Good, Ken Hale, Jennifer Partin, Tamara Robinson, and Shirley Wolfe.
After
lengthy consideration by the selection committee, Tamara Robinson, was named as the recipient of this year's UVa-Wise
Employee Outstanding Contribution Award Winner.
As the winner, she will receive $1,000 and will be honored at
an annual awards banquet.
2006
Outstanding Contribution Award Winner
Tamara Robinson 
Colleagues describe Tamara Robinson as the “glue” that holds the Division of Student Affairs together.
Robinson, an Administrative and Office Specialist III in the Division of Student Affairs, 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.
Robinson, who receives a $1,000 cash award, will be honored along with other U.Va. employees during a June 14 dinner hosted in Charlottesville by U.Va. President John T. Casteen III.
“She is the glue that holds or many, diverse activities together in a strong, cohesive, and consistent manner,” Dean of Students Jeff Howard wrote in his letter nominating Robinson for the prestigious award.
“Tamara has raised the bar and set a standard of achievement for those who will follow her. We could not be more pleased with her performance,” Howard wrote. “From her positive attitude, to her self motivation, to her high degree of professionalism, Tamara is a true leader. She does an excellent job at balancing her duties, all while being actively involved in the campus community. Tamara has demonstrated a true commitment to UVa-Wise and is well respected by our students, faculty and staff alike. She gives 110% to everything she does.”
Robinson began her career at the College as a student worker in financial aid, where she served from 1989 until 1993 when she earned her degree in business and public administration. Immediately after graduation, she accepted a part-time job in the housing office. She has been a full-time member of the Division of Student Affairs since 1995.
“My favorite part of the job is the interaction with students and the team of people I work with,” Robinson said. “I feel very fortunate to work with each and every one of them.”
In addition to making student housing assignments, working with the Judicial Board, helping manage summer conferencing, and providing administration support for the dean of students and director of housing, Robinson also serves as the receptionist for the entire Division of Student Affairs. And she has served as a member of the Staff Council.
“For me, a good day at work is when I know that I made a difference in a student’s life,” Robinson said. “If they’re having a bad day and I can assist them in some way to have a better college experience, then it makes it all worthwhile.”
Robinson, her husband Mike who is an alumnus of the College, and their 9-year-old son Tyler live in Pound where they are active members of Glady Fork Freewill Baptist Church.
