Distinguished alumni recognized
Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Owens Campus graduates who have made significant contributions to their communities through their academic and career achievements, community service, and personal accomplishments. Bronze plaques bearing the graduate's name, date of graduation, and date of induction are placed in the walkway between the Stephen J. Betze Library and the Carter Partnership Center; each honoree also receives a plaque. The 2009 honorees:
Tracy Taylor Morris, of Seaford, graduated from Executive Secretarial Technology, now Office Administration Technology, in 1979. She furthered her education with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's in human resources management from Wilmington University.
Since 1994 she has been employed at Allen Family Foods, Inc. of Seaford, Del. as vice president of human resources. In that role, she provides corporate oversight to all labor relations activities for more than 3,000 union and nonunion employees in three states, oversees all human resources functions, administers compensation and benefits programs, oversees corporate training programs, and more.
Her accomplishments at Allen's include designing a new management development program; developing a food service program for employee cafeterias which resulted in a cost saving of $250,000 per year; and developing a "point-factor" job and salary evaluation system which allows salaries to be fair and competitive.
She also conceptualized the structure and make-up of the corporate human resources department which resulted in effective implementation of company-wide human resources programs and services.
Morris was nominated by Suenell Steele, department chairperson of the Office Administration Technology.
"I remember Tracy as a friendly and personable learner, always striving to do her best," said Steele. "Although I've taught hundreds of students over the years, both in high school and at Delaware Tech, there are always certain students who stand out in one's memory – Tracy is one of those special students."
She has been an active member of the Seaford community, serving on the board of directors and chair of the fundraising committee for the Nanticoke Little League, as a member of the PTA in the Seaford School District, and on various church committees.
Ruth Briggs King, of Georgetown, received her associate degree from the Medical Laboratory Technology program in 1977. She continued her education with a bachelor's degree in applied business and a master's in human resources from Wilmington College. She also possesses State of Delaware administrator and standard teacher certifications.
Highlights of King's med lab career include serving as chief of laboratory and radiology services in Mississippi, teaching allied health professionals at Kent County Vo-Tech where she won "Teacher of the Year," and serving as general manager and later vice president of external operations and human resources at Medlab, Inc.
In 1999, she transitioned full-time to human resources and has taught strategic human resources at Wilmington University as an adjunct faculty member.
Although not a realtor, King has been the executive vice president for the Sussex County Association of Realtors (SCOAR) since 2005. SCOAR provides products, programs and services that benefit the local membership. She has earned a Certificate of Scholastic Achievement in Professional Standards and Association Management form the National Association of Realtors and is a REALTOR ® Certified Executive.
Kim Hoey Stevenson, King's nominator, explains, "It (the job) goes along with her being a natural leader and strong person who can guide others."
King has been extremely active in various community organizations, including the Eastern YMCA, the Georgetown Boys and Girls Club, The Georgetown-Millsboro Rotary, the Interfaith Housing of Sussex County Board, the Domestic Violence Coalition, and the Diamond State Community Land Trust.
King served on a Delaware Tech advisory board, attends various Owens Campus functions, and currently volunteers on the planning committee for the Couture & Class fashion show and luncheon.
Charles (Chuck) T. O'Brien, Jr., of Seaford, is a 1982 graduate of the Data Processing Technology program. He continued his education at Wilmington University, earning a bachelor's degree in management information systems and a master's in
business administration.
O'Brien is currently director of information technology at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford.
"Delaware Tech has had a profound impact on my professional career," said O'Brien. "Everything I've accomplished during my career can be attributed to the fundamentals I acquired from the excellent educators and state-of-the-art technology provided by the institution when I had the opportunity to attend."
From 1991 to 2006, O'Brien owned and operated O'Brien Information Systems, Inc., a computer consulting company. In 2001, he volunteered to do a pro-bono graphic/web design project for the Delaware Money School which he considers "one of the most rewarding projects that I've implemented in my career."
"Chuck did a great job understanding the needs of the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute, worked well with our people and delivered a solution that made sense for us," said Governor Jack Markell. "He was terrific!"
O'Brien also worked as a project leader in the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ OMX PHLX, receiving glowing reviews from managers and coworkers although he had no background in the financial industry.
He was nominated by Bonnie Atkins, department chairperson of Computer Information Systems (CIS) program, who has known him since 1982. At Atkins request, he became a member of the department's advisory committee.
"Chuck is one of the best advertisements we could have for the CIS department," said Atkins.
His community service includes serving as a coach for various sports and a cub scout leader.