DATE: April 23, 2009

CONTACT: Rebecca Atkinson, rhowar2@clemson.edu
864-656-0515

WRITER: Jessica Lance, 864-656-2061
jrlance@clemson.edu

Graduate student receives recognition for summer orientation work

CLEMSON – Amy Gray of Chester, Va., a first-year graduate student at Clemson University, received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award at the Region VI annual conference of the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) in Oxford, Miss.

Gray, who is working toward a Masters of Education in student affairs, is a graduate assistant in the Office of New Student and Sophomore Programs in Clemson’s Division of Student Affairs. She implemented a new recruitment process for student orientation leaders for summer 2009, receiving 130 applications for 25 spots, an increase over the 60 or 70 applications per year in the past. Gray implemented a new leadership models for orientation leaders, creating new job responsibilities and more leadership opportunities for returning leaders.

“Amy’s passion and interest to help people makes her a great leader, not only within our office but among our orientation ambassadors as well. Her integrity, loyalty, spirit and work ethic represent the elite and finest of Clemson’s graduate students. Amy’s willingness to do or try anything at anytime will enable her to be successful in the future,” said Rebecca Atkinson, associate director for new student and sophomore programs.

Gray has helped coordinate and implement a new program for new students called Clemson Connect, a series of activities and programs that all new students are required to participate in four days before classes begin each fall semester. Gray also serves as one of the first members of Clemson’s Retention Intervention Team, a program that identifies academically at-risk students to help them stay on track in school. Gray advises the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and supervises undergraduate student interns.

“It came as a surprise, as I was unaware my supervisor had nominated me for the award. It really meant so much to be honored with this award considering I am only a first year graduate student and there are so many incredible orientation programs in the southern region. It was really nice to be recognized for all of the hard work our entire office had been doing over the 2008-2009 school year,” said Gray.

NODA exists to provide education, leadership and professional development in the fields of college student orientation, transition and retention. Nominees for the Outstanding Graduate Student Award are considered based on the complexity of the organization and the tasks performed, the level of the impact the nominee’s performance has had on various areas of the institution, the amount of time invested in orientation and the amount of time that was planned or spontaneous and the effectiveness of the nominee in the field of orientation, transition and retention services.