TROY, Ala. – Jane Wilson, payroll specialist in the Human Resources Department at Troy University, has won the University’s Vergil Parks McKinley Award for January.

Wilson, who has been a member of the TROY staff since 1999, received the award Wednesday during a ceremony at the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor on the Troy Campus. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., TROY chancellor, presented the award to Wilson, who was nominated by Lee Vardaman, senior director of human resources.

The McKinley Award is the highest honor that Troy University gives to a non-faculty staff member. It 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 Troy University professor during the early 20th century and was key to the development of the University’s athletic program. Winners of this award receive an engraved clock and a $350 stipend.

In a letter of nomination, Wilson was lauded for her “high level of efficiency.”

“She consistently performs the duties of at least two employees while serving as both payroll specialist and departmental secretary,” Vardaman said in his letter of nomination. “Jane consistently demonstrates an incredible work ethic. She arrives to work early and provides non-stop assistance to student workers, University employees, applicants for employment and visitors. While managing and processing all student work payrolls, Jane simultaneously answers and transfers telephone calls entering the department, directs visitors to the correct staff person and performs critical duties such as filing unemployment reports with the State of Alabama. She is one of the most impressive people with whom I have ever worked. Her no-nonsense approach to work and drive to accomplish is remarkable.”

Vardaman said the most difficult aspect of nominating Wilson for the award was keeping her in the dark about the nomination.

“Jane not only coordinates the McKinley Award Nomination Committee meetings, she also handles the cutting of the award check and engraving of the clock for each winner,” Vardaman said. “Jane is truly an asset to the University and a vital part of the Human Resources Department.”

Wilson, who was joined at the ceremony by her family, said she truly enjoyed her work at TROY.

“I  have had a wonderful time working with everyone,” she said. “I enjoy my work and the environment and people here at Troy University. This is a tremendous honor for me. They really surprised me with this.”

Wilson and her husband Charles reside in Goshen.

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Goshen’s Jane Wilson, payroll specialist in the Human Resources Department at Troy University, is presented with the Vergil Parks McKinley Award for January on Wednesday by TROY Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., left, and Lee Vardaman, senior director of human resources. The McKinley Award is the highest honor the University bestows on a non-faculty staff member and consists of a $350 stipend and an engraved clock.