TROY-Monique Crawley, departmental secretary for Troy University Bands, has won the University’s Vergil Parks McKinley Award for February.

Crawley, who has been a full-time member of the TROY staff since 2003, received the award Monday during a ceremony in the Hawkins-Adam-Long Hall of Honor on the Troy Campus. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., TROY chancellor, presented the award to Crawley, who was nominated by Ralph Ford, director of bands.

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, Ford called Crawley an invaluable part of the University’s band program.

“Monique performs her daily tasks in a most efficient and pleasant manner,” Ford said. “She places the students’ concerns above her own, a wonderful characteristic in the person that I am fortunate to have representing the band to students and their parents.”

According to Ford, Crawley assists with clinics for high school and middle school students, as well as the band’s Summer Music Camp. She also coordinates travel accommodations and scheduling for performances by “The Sound of the South,” the University’s marching band, and has in the past served as associate coordinator for the Trojan Summer Music Games.

“Monique never hesitates to stay late, work on a weekend or do whatever it takes to serve the needs of the TROY Band Program,” Ford said. “I am very fortunate to have someone of Monique’s caliber to assist all of us in making the University and the band program run more efficiently.”

In addition to her duties with the University’s band program, Crawley, who holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from TROY, uses her lunch hour to teach criminal justice courses.

Crawley, who was joined at Monday’s ceremony by her husband Tom, said she was honored to receive the McKinley Award.

“I’ve got the best job on campus,” said Crawley, a Goshen resident. “I love my job and this University and I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”

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Monique Crawley, departmental secretary for the Troy University Band Program, receives the University’s Vergil Parks McKinley Award for February from Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr. and Ralph Ford (right), director of bands, during a ceremony on the Troy Campus on Monday. Ford nominated Crawley for the award, which is presented monthly to a member of the University’s staff who has demonstrated outstanding attitude, innovation and work ethic. Crawley received $350 and an engraved clock. (TROY photo)