M. Tracy Millbyer, an employee at Penn State Hazleton, was chosen as this year's recipient of Penn State University's Commission for Women, Achieving Woman Award (Technical Services division). She was recognized along with other honorees at the eighth annual Commission for Women luncheon on April 2 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.
The keynote address was delivered by Penn State Laureate Susan Russell, associate professor of theatre in the College of Arts and Architecture.
Each year, the Commission for Women honors women who have shown notable leadership and who are accomplished in their fields, have supported the University's diversity efforts and promoted equal opportunity, and/or have contributed to human causes and public service activities. The awards acknowledge and exemplify the achievements and contributions among Penn Staters, reflecting the University's mission of mentorship, leadership, service and promoting diversity.
The Achieving Women Award recognizes Penn State women who have shown notable leadership and accomplishment in their fields and have gone beyond the requirements of their employment duties and responsibilities in support of the University's diversity efforts, promotion of equal opportunity or contribution to human causes and public service activities.
Millbyer has been employed as a food service worker in the Higher Grounds Café, the full-service coffee shop at Penn State Hazleton, since its opening on campus seven years ago. She is currently the only full-time technical service employee in the café. She is noted by her supervisor as always punctual and consistent on the job, exemplifying professionalism in her skilled work, good judgment and a polite manner.
Chancellor Dr. Gary M. Lawler said, "Penn State Hazleton is proud to have such a dedicated employee in Tracy, and we are very excited for her to earn this recognition. Her commitment to our students and others who visit the café is evident each and every day."
In her position, Millbyer trains student employees of the café in all areas of the job. The Higher Grounds work space is compact, and she turns what could be a challenge to working within these constraints into a family atmosphere for the other employees and student workers. Even in a small space, she prides herself on offering service that is, as one supporting letter's author stated, "fast and unflustered. I'm always impressed at how Tracy and her team work together to handle everyone's orders as quickly as possible."
Jonathan Kukta, director of housing and food services at the campus, said, "As an employee in our Higher Grounds Coffee Shop, Tracy goes above and beyond each day to provide exceptional service to our campus community and visitors of the campus."
Other Achieving Women Award recipients from Penn State Hazleton include Mary Anne Enama in 2008, Sandy Wagner in 2009 and Patrice Lombard in 2013.