Ouachita Stories

Elaine Minton, administrative assistant to the dean of Ouachita Baptist University’s Patterson School of Natural Sciences, has been named Ouachita’s 2018 Support Staff Member of the Year. Minton, who has worked at Ouachita for 13 years, was honored on March 28 by Ouachita’s Staff Development Committee, along with President Ben Sells.

“I value greatly the confidence that others have in me and my ability to further the mission of this wonderful university, and this award is validation of that,” Minton said.

Minton graduated from Ouachita in 1978 with a degree in home economics. She taught home economics classes at Amity High School in Amity, Ark., for seven years before returning to Ouachita in 2005. She was hired as the administrative assistant to Dr. Joe Jeffers, the previous dean of natural sciences, and continued in the same role when Dr. Tim Knight was named the school’s dean.

“Wherever you are and whatever you do, it’s always nice to be recognized for your contribution,” said Dr. Knight. “Elaine does so much for students, and, like many other Ouachita support staff members, the little things they do are taken for granted.”

Jason Tolbert, Ouachita’s chief financial officer and chair of the Staff Development Committee, said the award is presented annually to a staff member nominated by faculty and fellow staff members.

“The selection is based on a support staff member who has demonstrated outstanding performance in job assignments, relating positively to students and co-workers and supporting the mission of the university,” Tolbert said.

For more information, contact Ouachita’s Office of Administrative Services at (870) 245-5410.

 

By Sarah Davis

April 5, 2018