ISSUED: 10 January 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Dr. Tom Segar, Shepherd University’s vice president for student affairs, has been awarded the 2018 Stella Cooksey Distinguished Service Award by the West Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrators (WVASPA).
The award is given each year to a student affairs professional who has made significant contributions to a West Virginia institution of higher education over an extended period of time. Nominees are evaluated on service to a state college or university and to WVASPA through leadership, committee work, and contributions to the field of student personnel through teaching, administration, or research.
“Through his leadership in student affairs, Dr. Segar has positively impacted colleagues and students not only on his own campus, but across the state,” said Autumn Perry, WVASPA immediate past president. “From his teaching of future student affairs professionals at Shepherd University, to his work with statewide initiatives such as the West Virginia Student Leadership Conference, his contributions to the field are far-reaching. This award is certainly well-deserved!”
“I feel really honored,” Segar said. “I don’t really think of myself as someone who tries to go after awards, I just try to make a difference in my job and what I do. It feels wonderful to have my colleagues recognize me. That’s what’s really special. I think we have some outstanding professionals in West Virginia in higher education. I think we work really hard and we have a lot of challenges but we still do our best to serve our students throughout the state.”
The award is named for Stella Cooksey, who founded the WVASPA in 1960. Cooksey’s 47-year career in education included serving 28 years at Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston) as director of student personnel services, dean of women, dean of students, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and vice president of academic affairs.
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