By ELLIOT HARRIS

Staff Writer

Stephanie Gravener, a student employee of the Louisiana Tech Early Childhood Education Center and a senior early childhood education major, received the 2004 Student Employee of the Year award.

A reception honoring the student employee of the year nominees was held April 15 at the Ropp Center.

Gravener said she was surprised to be selected for the award and is happy she won.

"I feel very honored to have been chosen," Gravener said. "I know there were a lot of other people nominated. It's very nice to be recognized."

Laura Chestnut, an instructor and director of the ECEC, nominated Gravener. She said Gravener is a great benefit to the center.

"She is just so wonderful," Chestnut said. "At the time I assumed my position at the ECEC, Stephanie was already employed there. She helped me learn the routine and told me what was expected of me in certain areas.

"In four years, she has called in sick once. She puts in work off the clock and works overtime. She has the most generous spirit."

Jill Myers, student employment coordinator, said selection of the Student Employee of the Year is based solely upon written nominations from supervisors.

Myers said the judges completed an evaluation form of each student in which they were given a rating of one to five, one being the lowest score. The areas of reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, uniqueness of contribution and an overall rating were scored.

In her nomination letter, Chestnut wrote, "Stephanie is such an asset to the ECEC. Stephanie's love of children and teaching is evident; we are so pleased she decided to change her major to early childhood education. As she leaves us this spring to pursue her teaching career, I am wondering how we will run the ECEC without her."

The reception, hosted by the Division of Student Financial Aid, allowed student employers to show appreciation to their student employees for the work they perform.

Gravener was nominated along with 17 other student employees. Nominees included one freshman, one sophomore, three juniors, 11 seniors and one graduate student.

All the nominees received a prize packet from the sponsors that contained a BankOne T-shirt, a certificate, the original letter of recognition and a university key chain.

Other gifts Gravener received were a plaque, a university cooler, a needlepoint bulldog pillow and a bulldog bracelet.

The reception was sponsored by Aramark Catering Services, BankOne, the Dawg House, the Tech Alumni Association, the Bookstore, the Louisiana Tech Team Shop, the Tech University Foundation and Smoothie King.

Myers said all the nominees were "phenomenal."

"The judges had a hard time choosing a winner," Myers said. "They were all so good. They really provide a valuable contribution to the university. I hope they feel recognized and are learning from their experiences."