Ouachita Baptist University’s Staff Development Committee along with interim president Dr. Charles Wright recently named Patty Jones the Support Staff Member of the Year. Jones, who has worked for Ouachita 17 years, is a student account specialist and veterans affairs certifying officer in the Office of Student Financial Services.
The Support Staff Member of the Year Award is presented annually to a member of Ouachita’s support staff who demonstrates outstanding performance in his or her job, relates positively to students, co-workers and the general public and who supports the mission of university. The Staff Development Committee reviews all nominations before recommending the honoree to the president.
“I’m very humbled and honored to have been recognized for this award because of the work that I do on a daily basis,” Jones said. “Being recommended from my co-workers is such an honor. They all share this award with me because of the bond we have as an office that I feel honored to call my student financial services family.”
Susan Hurst, director of Student Financial Services, said it is Jones’ love of Ouachita and its mission that makes her deserving of this award.
“Patty is an excellent worker and a wonderful asset to Ouachita and the Student Financial Services office,” Hurst said. “Patty genuinely cares about our students and goes out of her way to help each one.”
Jones began working with student accounts in 1999 when she joined the business office, which later merged with student financial services in 2007. Last year, Jones also began working with military students and dependents needing assistance with educational benefits.
Jones said what she enjoys most about her job is “developing long-lasting relationships with families from the time students enroll as freshmen and then also seeing these young adults complete their degrees and graduate.
“I’m honored to work with veterans or families of veterans because of the service they have done for our country,” Jones added.
For more information, contact Ouachita’s Office of Administrative Services at (870) 245-5410.
By Rachel Gaddis
