Norma Guynn, a retired program support technician in the department of biomedical engineering and mechanics in the College of Engineering, has received the university’s 2017 Staff Career Achievement Award.

Guynn retired from the university in 2016 after 33 years of service.

Created in 2011 to recognize retiring staff members, the Staff Career Achievement Award is presented annually to as many as five individuals who have distinguished themselves through exemplary performance and service during their university careers. Nominees must have worked a minimum of 10 years at Virginia Tech. Each recipient is awarded a $1,000 cash prize.

Guynn was well admired by her colleagues as someone to go beyond her listed duties to facilitate and maintain excellent relations within the department. She is noted to have excitedly taken on new tasks and learn new technologies so as to increase the effectiveness of her work, and provide additional aid to those who needed assistance.

On top of her regular work, Guynn frequently assisted with events through interactions with guests, logistical planning, and even maintaining websites. She assisted with professor Meirovitch’s bi-annual Symposia held on Virginia Tech’s campus as well as assistant professor Sunny Jung’s organization of AmeriTech.

Guynn managed communication with various departments in her time at Virginia Tech including the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Controller's Office, and the Bursar’s Office. Colleagues commend her work as handled “cheerfully, accurately, and in a timely manner."

In 2008, Guynn was honored with a Certificate of Recognition as a Governor’s Team Award Nominee for the Engineering Science and Mechanics Team. She also received the Department Head’s Award for Excellence in Service in 2012 from the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics.

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