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D&E establishes the Robin Price Award for Staff Excellence

Photo courtesy of Davis & Elkins College Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood presents Robin Price with the inaugural award named in her honor. The Robin Price Award for Staff Excellence will continue as a hallmark at the college to honor a staff member who epitomizes distinction excellence and is making a real difference in the lives of students, faculty and staff.

ELKINS — For 46 years, Robin Galford Price has made Davis & Elkins College her second home, and the students, faculty and staff have been her second family. On Thursday, just months before her retirement, she was honored with the inaugural award that will continue her namesake and remind others of her dedication to the College.

The establishment of The Robin Price Award for Staff Excellence came as a surprise announcement from Davis & Elkins President Chris A. Wood at the conclusion of the annual Academic Awards and Recognition Convocation. The award will be presented annually to a Davis & Elkins College staff member who epitomizes distinction excellence and is making a real difference in the lives of students, faculty and staff.

“Robin has given us the gift of herself, and the gift of her time,” Wood said in presenting Price with an inscribed hourglass and framed award.

The audience responded with a standing ovation and a long round of applause.

“I am very honored and didn’t expect anything like this,” Price said. “It was almost unbelievable to look out into the audience and see all the support.”

Price began her career at her alma mater a month before graduating with an associate’s degree in 1973. For 10 years, she worked in the Advancement Office, first as the secretary to the director of public relations and then as the administrative assistant to the vice president for development. In 1983, she was named executive assistant to the president – a position she has held for the past 36 years. She has served in the role for six Davis & Elkins College Presidents, Dr. Brent Devore, Dr. Dorothy MacConkey, Dr. Thomas Mann, Dr. G.T. “Buck” Smith, Dr. Michael Mihalyo and Wood.

“How grateful I am that she was here, she was patient, and she worked her magic,” Wood said. “I cannot imagine an individual who is better, more suited or more perfect for the job she performs and performs with distinction and excellence.”

Price plans to retire later this summer to spend more time with family, and hopes to volunteer for various local organizations, including D&E.

“D&E has enhanced my life and made my life,” Price said. “It has been my other family and always will be. The support received from everybody I’ve worked with has made my life whole.”

Price and her husband, Mike, reside in Elkins. They are the parents of three children, Kristi Ward, Erin Price and Shawn Price, and two grandchildren, Bryce Ward and Ava Price

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