A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences staff member was honored for her superior dedication during a recent Office of Student Success Zoom meeting. Melinda Gallagher, OSS student success coordinator for online graduate students, received a 2020 WVU Values Coin for her commitment and enthusiasm in her daily role.
“Melinda has been an awesome addition to our office and the glue holding us all together during the past pandemic year. She goes above and beyond her duties, always eager to jump into a project or take on a new challenge,” Elizabeth (Betsy) Robbins, OSS student success coordinator said.
“Receiving a WVU Values Coin from Betsy is such an honor for me. My transition from student to staff member in CPASS was unique and Betsy was a mentor for me during that process. She embodies the Mountaineer values and has such a positive impact in our office. I am grateful to receive this Values Coin from her,” Gallagher said. “I also want to thank my amazing team in the CPASS Office of Student Success for their support. I’m thankful for the impact they have had on me. I am looking forward to continuing to bring the University’s mission to life every day with my team.”
“Melinda truly embodies the Mountaineer Values that the coin represents: service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation. She is so deserving of this recognition,” Robbins added.
The Values Coin represents Gallagher’s achievements during 2020 and was presented by Robbins, who received her coin in 2019 from Dean Watson. Robbins “paid it forward” by identifying Gallagher for her outstanding efforts. Gallagher will receive a 2021 coin next year to pass on to another employee who exhibits Mountaineer values.
The WVU Values Coin program is designed to recognize employees who embody Mountaineer values and go above and beyond to bring the land-grant mission to life. The WVU Values Coin program began in 2017 in recognition of WVU's 150th birthday. The program continues to grow by prior coin recipients "paying it forward" to another employee who strives to make the University community a better place to work.