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Honoring the Brantley Award Winners
The three winners of TC's Elaine Brantley Memorial Award for Community and Civility are Paul Acquaro, Director of the TC Web; Jacqueline Diaz-Solano, Director of Student Accounts; and James Rudolph, locksmith in the College's Facilities group.
The award is given to individuals who best reflect the spirit of Elaine Brantley, who worked as a cashier in the TC cafeteria for 24 years before her death in 2004.
“Elaine provided sage advice to faculty, students and staff and embodied the genuine warmth of our community,” said Janice Robinson,Vice President of Diversity and Community Affairs, in presenting the awards.
Robinson said that Acquaro, who joined TC in 1998 (and who missed the ceremony because he was away at a Web conference), “by definition of his work brings people together” – including his efforts to create Web applications for people with disabilities -- and praised him as “someone who says Yes when others say no.” Acquaro is also an instructor at TC, leads an annual toy drive for needy children, and plays in a jazz trio that performs at many College events.
Diaz-Solano, Robinson said, is “unique in reaching across all boundaries – her door is always open, and she has a magical touch about her that inspires others who may be a tad bit resistant. Diaz came to TC in 1999.
And Rudolph – who also joined the College in 1999 – “always goes beyond the scope of his job to help community members, even going out on the sidewalk to help with challenging lockout situations,” Robinson said. “Obviously, James has the keys to the world.”
Robinson, Diaz-Solano and Rudolph were joined on the Cowin Center stage by Brantley’s daughter, Ebony, who, Robinson said, “grew up with TC,” and Ebondy’s two-year-old daughter, Bria.
Published Monday, Nov. 2, 2009
