By CARSON HUFFSTUTTER

ceh017@latech.edu

 

Students swarm Arlene Hill’s office daily, professors turn to her for organization and often they do not think twice about it.

However, at the annual fall quarter luncheon Oct. 21, Hill, the administrative coordinator for biomedical engineering and industrial engineering, was surprised when she found herself accepting an award for her outstanding service.

“Arlene had done such an outstanding job for our programs that we really wanted to show our appreciation,” Dr. Michael O’Neal, program chair and an assistant professor of computer science, said.

O’Neal presented the “rarely given” award to Hill and said he was honored to do so.

“[Hill] is the best assistant you could ever hope for,” O’Neal said. “She catches your mistakes, she keeps you on task and she’s very well organized.”

O’Neal said Hill has been an administrative coordinator for many of the engineering programs and has made an impression on each of them.

“[Hill] goes far above and beyond the call of duty,” O’Neal said. “I think everyone who has ever interacted with her has been extremely impressed.”

O’Neal said Hill has been at Tech since 2002 and, in that time, has left a lasting impression with the people she has worked with.

“She is not someone who has been here very long, but she has made a very large impact,” O’Neal said. 

The luncheon is held twice a year, but an awards ceremony is usually not on the agenda, Hill said.

“It was a total surprise - I did not expect it at all,” Hill said. “It was a very pleasant surprise.”

Hill said she is eagerly anticipating the changes coming with the new biomedical engineering building. 

“I’m looking forward to serving the biomedical and industrial engineering programs and offering that support and assistance to faculty and students,” she said.

Sachin Maharjan, a senior computer science major, works with Hill.

He said students, as well as faculty, recognize the work and support Hill offers to the programs.

“If a student comes in, and I can’t help them, I will send them to her and she is able to do everything,” Maharjan said.

Maharjan said Hill is able to do her job without putting stress on those who are asking for her help.

“She is very friendly and helpful,” Maharjan said. “She knows what to do in most situations and how to help.” 

Maharjan said Hill does so many things for the university and the students, and he does not doubt that she deserves this award.

“I’m really happy she got the award,” Maharjan said. “She deserves a lot more.”