Linda Southern selected to receive Staff Excellence Award

Southern’s nomination packet included a number of testimonials from faculty, staff and students who can’t say enough about her caring and dedication. Students recognize her as a vital part of their School experience, staff appreciate her kindness and commitment to making life easier on others, and faculty have been known to beg her not to answer her email when she is taking a well-deserved vacation day. “I am so lucky to work with her,” beams Emily Corey, her assistant, and it seems that most in the department agree.

The six-person selection committee was impressed that the comments of more than thirty people had been synthesized and catalogued in the nomination.

Herbert Peterson, MD, professor and chair of Maternal and Child Health, was among those who praised Southern’s contributions.

“I’m just thrilled that Linda is being recognized with this award,” Peterson commented. “As one of our faculty members said recently, ‘Linda Southern’s performance as our registrar is about as close to perfection as I’ve ever witnessed. She does it all, and then some.’ Linda is truly ‘staff excellence’ personified–and the department and School of Public Health are better because she’s here.”

Southern, who lives with her husband on a farm in Goldston and enjoys gardening in her rare free time, said, “When I opened the award letter, I was shocked. This is a great honor, and I appreciate all the kind words from people I work with.”

The Staff Excellence Award has been given annually since 1991 to a permanent SPA or EPA non-faculty employee of the School who exhibits leadership, outstanding initiative and an excellent attitude.

Other recent recipients of the award include Charles Ayres (Instructional and Information Systems), Carmen Woody (Epidemiology) and Janet Scearce (Nutrition).

Southern will be recognized on September 11 at a School-wide reception in her honor.