Talking Stick - July/August 2015 - 37

2015 ACUHO-I WALL OF HONOR AWARDS

S. Earl Thompson
Award
Ellen Heffernan,
SJG-The Spelman & Johnson Group
Ellen Heffernan has become practically synonymous with
executive placement in the student affairs and higher
education fields. As president of SJG-The Spelman
& Johnson Group, she has earned the respect and
admiration of her colleagues as "she improved the
community and our individual members' materials one
comment or course correction at a time with empathy,
kindness, and humor."
Ellen's work has impacted many individuals and
institutions throughout campus housing as evidenced by
the large number of testimonials received in her honor.
Among them was one that explained how,"Ellen's work
is well noted in our industry, but not just because of her
ability to find great talent and match them with terrific
professional placements. It is what she does beyond her
work that is leaving a legacy throughout higher education
and in university housing programs throughout the
country and the world. . . Ellen has an uncanny ability
to get people to engage in constructive and productive
conversations about change without them feeling
threatened, uncomfortable, or unwilling to compromise
while also maintaining high standards of excellence."
Another summed up her nomination simply by stating
that "We are truly lucky to have her as a colleague and a
friend."
Named for the first ACUHO-I president, the S. Earl
Thompson Award is presented to individuals not directly
related to ACUHO-I, but who have made a significant
contribution to the campus housing profession.

Outstanding
Corporate Friend
Award
Diane Cline,
ASI Campus Laundry Solutions
Diane Cline, a regional manager for ASI Campus
Laundry Solutions, is the deserving recipient of the
2015 Outstanding Corporate Friend Award. Throughout
her career she has demonstrated her commitment to
colleagues and the student population in inclusive and
extraordinary ways. In one letter of support Diane was
described as "skilled, tireless, and an advocate for those
who often do not speak for themselves." Another one
noted that she is "a natural at networking and has a
knack for engaging people in conversation, in identifying
common ground, and in moving conversation to action."
All of these qualities served Diane well in her
time with the ACUHO-I Foundation. Even though she
demonstrated her support through her donations as
an individual Major Donor, she also gave her time and
talent. For several years she was an active member of the
ACUHO-I Foundation Board, helping establish elements
that remain cherished traditions. At the ACUHO-I Annual
Conference Diane does not limit her involvement to
the exhibition hall, but can often be seen staffing the
Foundation's booth and interacting with attendees. As
another supporter described her, "Diane is a cheerleader
for the Foundation. Her energy and enthusiasm for
ACUHO-I and the Foundation are contagious."
The recipients of this award are corporate colleagues
and partners who have contributed to ACUHO-I and
the campus housing profession by supporting the
educational mission and service goals of ACUHO-I.
Talking Stick - July/August 2015

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