February 4, 2003

Lynn Hughes wins McKinley Award at Troy State University

Lynn Hughes of Troy, secretary for the Department of Information Systems, is the winner of the Vergil Parks McKinley Award for January at TSU.

Hughes received the award in a ceremony Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor made the presentation and Dr. Earl Ingram of the Sorrell College of Business faculty nominated her for the honor.

The McKinley Award, the highest honor that TSU gives to a non-faculty staff member, is presented monthly to an employee who has demonstrated outstanding attitude, innovation and work ethic. The award was established by former Texaco CEO John McKinley in honor of his father, Vergil Parks McKinley, who was a TSU professor during the early 20th century and was key to the development of the university’s athletic program. Award winners receive an engraved clock and a $300 stipend.

The letter of nomination described Hughes as a "hero in my department. Her ability to solve faculty and student problems is amazing and she does it with great economy and a smile."

Hughes began work with TSU in 1990. She said she was "overwhelmed" to receive the honor.

"I was very, very honored," she said. "I know many of those who have won it in the past and I know how much they have meant to the university."

Hughes said helping students is the best part of her job.

"My husband and I were vacationing down at Panama City Beach a few years ago and one of my students came up to me and hugged my neck and shook my husband’s hand," she said. "He told us, ‘If it hadn’t been for this woman here I wouldn’t have graduated.’ Those things are nice to hear."

Hughes and her husband, Drexel, who is also employed at TSU, have a daughter, Shelby, 6.