Sweet Briar employees earn ROSE awards

Sweet Briar College recently announced the winners of its 2009 ROSE Awards, which are given annually to outstanding employees. Winners are Juanita Elliott, of Amherst, Coleen Catalon, of Madison Heights, Gloria Smith, of Amherst, and Tom Shelton Sr., of Arrington.

Sweet Briar instituted the ROSEs — the letters stand for Recognition of Staff Excellence — in 2006. The awards are special because although college administrators make the final selections. Employees are nominated by their co-workers. Any employee of more than one year is eligible.

Elliott and Catalon each received a ROSE for Excellence as a Team Member, while Smith and Shelton were given ROSEs for Excellence in Service.

Elliott has worked at Sweet Briar for 16 years, the last four as a housekeeping supervisor.

Catalon, has been an academic assistant in the dean’s office since 1986. Shelton has supervised the carpentry shop for 27 years and Smith, who began in housekeeping 27 years ago, is the assistant manager of the Book Shop.

Sweet Briar President Jo Ellen Parker presented the awards at an all-employee luncheon on Aug. 20.