From Staff Reports

Junior Ian Lee, of Montevallo, is the recipient of the first University of Montevallo Student Employee of the Year award.

Lee was selected by UM’s National Alumni Association out of 16 total nominees received by the Student Employment Office.

Currently, the University employs more than 400 student employees across campus, ranging from clerical jobs to lifeguards to housing and residence life assistants.

“The Student Employment Office is honored to augment classroom experience with work experience,” said Barbara Forrest, UM’s director of human resources and risk management. “I am not sure how many of our offices would manage without the contributions of our very capable student workforce.”

Five members of the Carmichael Library staff sent separate nomination letters on Lee’s behalf. For two years, he has served as a technical services worker, processing books and other materials to prepare them for entry into the library’s collection.

More than his abilities alone, Lee’s supervisors are especially impressed with his work ethic and determination.

“Ian is always hard at work, even when unsupervised. He keeps his nose to the grindstone and has a quiet assurance and helpful demeanor that is recognized and respected by everyone with whom he works,” wrote Amanda Melcher, head of Carmichael Library’s technical services.

On April 13, Ian was honored with a special luncheon where he received a plaque and a $500 check.

“The whole staff is great,” Lee said at the luncheon. “Everybody’s fun to work with. It’s like a family.”