University of
Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg has selected Dr. Holly J. Spittler of
Bradford as a recipient of the 2014 Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence in
Service to the University.
Spittler is the associate dean of student
affairs and director of career services at Pitt-Bradford.
She is one of four staff members university-wide
to receive the award this year, which was created to recognize staff members
who make a significant impact on the university through their commitment and
performance.
The Chancellor’s Award for Staff
Excellence is the highest honor a staff member can receive. Spittler will be
recognized during Honors Convocation at the University of Pittsburgh Feb. 28.
While Spittler was originally
nominated for her service to the community, the selection committee has honored
her for staff excellence in service to the university. Her leadership benefits
many Bradford organizations, including Bradford Area Public Library’s One Book
Bradford, the American Association of University Women, the YWCA, Futures
Rehabilitation Center and the Girl Scouts of Western Pa. However, Nordenberg
noted that the committee was “struck by the
positive impact you have had on our students in terms of their academic
performance, helping them to determine their career paths, and instilling in
them your own commitment to service.”
Several former students, one now a judge, credited her
guidance and support as crucial to their success. Spittler has given special
attention to nontraditional students, working with her counterparts at
institutions in other states to develop Adult Learners on Campus, a student-run
association that resulted in a series of conferences on the needs of adult
learners. She has served as an advisor to the Nontraditional Student Association
since her arrival on campus.
Spittler is also active with campus
events and groups and holds leadership roles with the One World Cultural
Festival and the Friends of Hanley Library. She was instrumental in
establishing a chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, the first academic honorary at
Pitt-Bradford, and was the catalyst for bringing the Empty Bowls and Baskets
Dinner to campus.
Spittler came to Pitt-Bradford in 1981 as director of career
planning and placement. She holds a doctoral degree in higher education from
the University of Pittsburgh; a Master of Arts in college student personnel
from Bowling Green State University and a Bachelor of Science in American
Studies from Bowling Green.
Previous Pitt-Bradford staff members
honored by the chancellor for service to the university are Christina Graham
(2012), Patty Colosimo (2010), James Baldwin (2009), Donald Johnson (2006) and
Rhett Kennedy (2003). In 2008, Pete Buchheit was honored by the chancellor for
service to the community.
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