Description
Michele Murray Darnell ’88 is the 2019 recipient of the Max L. Starkey Service Award at Illinois Wesleyan University. Interim President Georgia Nugent announced the award winner Aug. 19 at the annual Faculty-Staff Breakfast. A 1988 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan, Darnell spent 30 years in Admissions working with students, parents and counselors to help them learn more about the University and the admissions/financial aid process.
And now, this year’s clues…
According to a nominator, this year’s winner fits the description for the award as someone whose loyalty, enthusiasm and outstanding contribution in their work and assistance to others has provided an invaluable service to the IWU community. This nominator described this year’s winner as a dedicated employee who takes great pride in their work and is an excellent representative of Illinois Wesleyan, whose work is a service to the entire University.Their enthusiasm for Illinois Wesleyan and enjoyment of their work shows in their voice, in how positive they are about Illinois Wesleyan and the benefits that come along with an IWU education. Over the years they have helped guide students in making some very important life decisions.A longtime commitment to IWU has provided them with connections to many alums. Daily, they set up shadowing, mentoring and internship opportunities for our current students.This year's winner truly has a family of Titans in more ways than one.She is passionate about her work and loves to share her excitement about IWU with students. For many years, she spent countless hours traveling to ensure that students across the country knew about Illinois Wesleyan.Her experience as an IWU alum and an employee for 30 years are proof that Illinois Wesleyan is a great place to be.For 29 of those years, she worked in the Admissions Office recruiting students to IWU. And for the past year, she has been working with our current students as the Pre-Health and Biology Career Advisor.
This year's winner is Michele Darnell.
