Explaining that she hadn’t been surprised like this “since her 16th birthday party,” Sawyer was clearly in awe. “I can’t believe you guys pulled this off,” she added.

On behalf of the human resources division, VP Mary George Opperman congratulated and presented Sawyer, who reads widely, with a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble Booksellers noting that Sawyer’s nomination process had been initiated by the MAE graduate students. Opperman remarked that the late George Peter would have been touched to have seen such an outpouring of student appreciation for a staff member.

According to her nominators, Sawyer, who has enjoyed more than 20-years at Cornell, has gone “above and beyond” on many occasions to offer her unique caring touch. At the annual Visit Day, she gives out her phone number to prospective graduate students, many of whom are international students who have flown long distances. While on their trips back home, Sawyer stays up much of the night to offer support, making sure the students can navigate delayed flights and the inevitable lost luggage. “Marcia is the face of the masters of engineering program,” noted Professor Marjolein van der Meulen.

Sawyer has developed the engineering graduate student community through her efforts to enhance social networking and increase opportunities for professional development. The fact that her nomination was spearheaded by the graduate students, Professor Lance Collins noted, “says an enormous amount about your impact.” Collins also praised Sawyer’s ability to think strategically. “Rarely do people come to me with solutions,” he offered, “but Marcia is solution-oriented.”

“Every student had a unique perspective on why Marcia was award-worthy,” explained Justin Atchison, past president of the engineering grad student organization which initiated the nomination process. “A source of sanity, a true friend, she’s the best.”

Sawyer’s supervisor, Andy Vail, director of MAE administration, presented Sawyer with a certificate for a vacation day off. Between Cornell jobs four years ago, Sawyer was initially offered the position on a temporary basis. After her stellar performance in a temporary capacity, she was eventually offered the regular position. “We lucked out in finding her,” said Vail.

The EA chair presented Sawyer with additional gifts associated with the George Peter Award, including gift certificates from the Cornell Store, Banfi’s Restaurant and the Cornell Recreation Connection. In addition, the honoree was given a complimentary photography session and a cruise on Cayuga Lake, both courtesy of Cornell community members Don and Marian Hartill.

Sawyer, who holds a doctorate from Cornell, thanked her department for their tremendous support. “Student development is my passion,” she r ema rked. “Working with the faculty and the students here are what gets me up every day.”

The prestigious George Peter Award for Dedicated Service, coordinated by the EA, date s back to 1980; the EA renamed the award in 1999 in honor of the late George Peter, Cornell’s tireless staff advocate and first employeeelected trustee. Sawyer is the 170th Cornell employee so honored during the 28 years of the award’s history.