January Employee of the Month Rob Grandon, right, receives his plaque from Vice President of Human Resources September Sanderlin. Photo David B. Hollingsworth/ODU
Rob Grandon, special events manager in the Transportation and Parking Services Department, has been selected as the Old Dominion University Employee of the Month for January.
Grandon, who began working at ODU in February 2004, is known by many on campus as the "parking guru."
"He is kind, caring and always has the best interest of the University at heart," said Sherry Davis, executive secretary to President John R. Broderick, in nominating Grandon for the honor. "Over the past several years, he has dealt with upset fans from the campus community, yet Rob always remains professional and is able to calm them and direct them to appropriate parking. He is the 'go-to' person when parking for special events is needed. He is always willing to work with the hosting department and group to locate the best parking for its event."
Grandon also goes out of his way to help to keep the campus clean.
"If he sees trash on the ground, he picks it up and properly disposes of it.," Davis said. "He was seen picking up streamers following a special event and throwing them away. He has also been observed removing garbage at the new football stadium just before attendees were to tour the facility."
In addition, he makes himself available during graduation ceremonies to assist students with disabilities students who are unable to walk from Webb Center to the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
"Rob now takes his golf cart to pick up the students and drives them over the seal on Kaufman Mall to the Ted to allow them the opportunity to participate in this ODU tradition," Davis said. "This is a great testimony of community service.
"Rob goes completely above and beyond his duties and is an integral part of the ODU family."
The University Employee of the Month Selection Committee encourages employees to nominate their "go the extra mile" colleagues and employees. This program is designed to acknowledge and reward employees whose accomplishments and demeanor exemplify excellence, quality service and commitment to ODU. Classified and AP faculty employees receive a framed certificate from the president, $175 and one day of leave. Hourly winners get $250, since they are not eligible to receive recognition leave.
The selection committee needs specific examples that relate to each applicable criterion in order to select a nominee for the award. Nominations remain active for six months from date of submission, and nominators may submit additional documentation to support a nominee during the active six months.
The criteria used to nominate an employee include the following:
- An outstanding accomplishment that benefited the department/students.
- Extraordinary service to internal and/or external customers.
- Inspiring initiative/leadership.
- Enthusiasm/energy given to assigned work.
- Teamwork.
- Exemplary efforts to nurture a climate of care, concern and civility.
- Innovations to service, process or work tools.
For more information, contact Jerry Dye at jedye@odu.edu or 683-3046, or visit ODU's Employee of the Month website.
