Scott Adams, UVA Finance
Adams was lauded for efforts to keep Carruthers Hall open and accessible during the pandemic, overseeing technical upgrades of conference rooms and offices so remote workers could efficiently coordinate with in-person staff.
“The Carruthers Zoom Rooms are the envy of many at UVA for their reliability, ease of use and the seamless integration with personal devices,” colleague Bill Ashby wrote.
Adams also facilitated the installation of video doorbells and cameras so visitors could be greeted and directed to their destinations while minimizing contact when COVID-19 was a high threat to public health.
“Scott’s mantra was it should not matter which guest showed up … or which office they were looking for,” Steve Kimata wrote, “they should be warmly welcomed and treated with consistent excellence.”
Melissa F. Clarke, Business Operations
Clarke, a 28-year employee, oversees finances for a vast array of University services, including housing, dining, parking and child-care centers. She has also served in working groups to improve and modernize the University’s finance and business operations.
Colleague Collette Sheehy called Clarke’s contributions to the University “remarkable but often overlooked.”
“Melissa is always willing to go above and beyond to help colleagues resolve complicated issues with patience and rigor, no matter how much extra time is required of her,” Sheehy wrote.
Jane T. Pace, McIntire School of Commerce
Pace also was recognized for efforts during the pandemic, keeping the Commerce School thriving during the challenging time. The work included transitioning students to online-learning platforms while helping faculty members learn how to use them.
In her 36 years at UVA, Pace has been at the forefront of several important endeavors. Colleagues described her as “unflappable” and “energetic.”
“Mere mortals can’t keep up,” co-worker Rob Patterson wrote.