Distinguished Service

 

2010 Distinguished Service Award

 

Tom Stalcup

KTXT-TV Lubbock TX

 

Nominated by Doug Nelson, KTXT-TV Producer

 

Tom Stalcup is currently the Program Coordinator and an instructor of Video Production Technology at South Plains College.  He was raised in Lubbock, Texas, received his Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech, and his Associate’s Degree from South Plains College.

 

Tom is active in charity events and video projects throughout the community.  For fourteen years, twice a year, two weeks each time, Tom has volunteered to run camera, serve a floor director, and recruit organizations like his Lions Club and Lubbock Meals on Wheels to work the phone bank for KTXT-TV festivals.  In addition, Tom has volunteered his time and money to insure that productions for KTXT-TV are completed.  For the documentary “Jesse ‘Guitar’ Taylor,” Tom assisted with the shooting and donated the use of a studio and equipment.  He also donated time and equipment for the television concert “Jay Boy Adams, 20 Years Later.”  After the concert, he transported the heavy equipment back 40 miles and unloaded it in the rain at 3:00 a.m.  For the “Texas Burning Concert,” Tom volunteered to go to San Antonio to represent KTXT-TV during the production.  Again, Tom received no pay.  For the 30 “StoryTellers and MusicMakers” talk shows, Tom furnished the entire tape supply, bought an editing system, and supplied all the DVDs, covers, and artwork.  Tom also paid for travel to New Mexico to film segments for a Viet Nam documentary.  Tom is not a rich man but always says “I’ll find a way.”

 

Why is this important?  KTXT-TV is not a large station, isn’t rich, and has a small staff.  We would be unable to produce these amazing award-winning programs if it weren’t for his generosity.  Students recruited from Texas Tech and South Plains College learn from Tom’s example and gain valuable experience working on productions with him.

 

It doesn’t stop with KTXT-TV.  He is secretary for the Lubbock Industrial Lions Club, and has helped transport children to and from the Texas Lions Camp for Disabled Children, coordinated Eyeglass Recycling for Lions Clubs in Lubbock, and delivered meals to shut-ins for Lubbock Meals on Wheels for almost 30 years.  He also organizes and participates in fundraisers for Lions Clubs and Lubbock Meals on Wheels.

 

Tom is an amazing person, who doesn’t hesitate to volunteer.  Because of his efforts, many people live better days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Distinguished Service Award

 

Pat Simmons

Montana PBS

 

Nominated by Lisa Titus, Director of Development, Montana PBS

  

 

Pat began “volunteering” as the Treasurer for the Friends of Montana PBS Board of Directors nearly three years ago.  I put the word “volunteering” in quotation marks because Pat went above and beyond any work that a volunteer would be asked to do.

 

As Treasurer Pat has honed our bookkeeping procedures, implemented a new inventory system, and helped to oversee the flow of over $1 million annually in contributions and the payment of expenses.  But that’s not all!  Pat also took on the coordination of updating our corporation documents – everything from memorandums of understanding with our universities, to state non-profit paperwork, to the Friends of Montana PBS bylaws.  In short, Pat saw areas of opportunity for improvement and she jumped right in and made it happen.

 

Beyond her amazing skill as an organizer and her attention to detail, Pat has also been a good leader – helping to guide the Friends of Montana PBS board to its next incarnation as a true statewide, high functioning board.  Her suggestions on how to structure our processes have made a real impact and are coming to fruition.  Our board is now very robust thanks to her experience and leadership.

 

On a personal level, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Pat.  Her attention to detail complements my tendency to see from 30,000 feet and we both, I feel, respect and enjoy the other’s point of view.  I have always been happy to hear Pat’s perspective and have always felt comfortable knowing that she would help facilitate the goals of our organization.  And, Pat herself, is also able to see the bigger mission of the organization and so makes choices based on the larger goal.

 

I am in awe by how much Pat accomplishes in a day.  I know that in addition to all I have just mentioned here, Pat is also involved in many other organizations and volunteer opportunities as well as a part time job.  May we all accomplish so much in “retirement.”  I can think of no better person for this award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Distinguished Service Award – Certificate of Appreciation

 

Tom and Mary Wagner

UNC-TV/North Carolina

 

Nominated by UNC-TV

 

Tom and Mary Wagner are a retired couple who decided over 20 years ago that they would devote their volunteer efforts to a select few organizations, and UNC-TV, North Carolina’s statewide public television network, was one of the organizations they chose.

 

Dr. and Mrs. Wagner have more than made good on their word.  In addition to being major donors, the Wagners have volunteered at every event held by UNC-TV, including volunteering at the North Carolina State Fair and greeting some of the over 35,000 visitors who came to UNC-TV’s exhibit.  They have represented UNC-TV to the community and have been advocates for public television in all their activities.  They are volunteers extraordinaire, beginning with answering the phones during our annual fund-raising drive, FESTIVAL.  At first they would come in several times a week to answer phones – or whenever we needed them.  They were always first on our list to call when we needed phone volunteers.

 

The Wagners later graduated to becoming volunteer team captains.  In this capacity, they would free up UNC-TV’s volunteer coordinator by greeting the volunteers who came to answer phones, orienting them as to what was expected of a volunteer, and then managing the volunteers during the course of the evening.  They would answer questions that the volunteers might get during a phone call, and keep the volunteers informed about the thank-you gifts that were being offered and the programs that were being aired.  They also mingled with the volunteers so that all would feel welcomed and an integral part of UNC-TV’s fund raising.

 

In time, the Wagners were at UNC-TV so frequently that we gave them their own badges to enter and exit the building.

 

Mary and Tom Wagner would also come to UNC-TV to work on projects with us.  Tom has served on the UNC-TV Foundation Board of Directors and has chaired the Foundation Board as well.

 

The Wagners are more than volunteers to the staff at UNC-TV – they are an important part of who we are.  They are part of the UNC-TV family in a way that no other volunteers have ever been.  Their dedication, loyalty, commitment, and desire to do everything possible to benefit UNC-TV are unmatched and would stand up against the system’s best volunteers from across the country.  Their counsel is wise and unobtrusive, and their support has helped many staff members get through the long fund-raising drives with higher morale.  Indeed, their presence during our fund-raising drives helps to increase staff and volunteer morale.

 

UNC-TV owes the Wagners a huge debt of gratitude.  We feel they should be recognized for their extraordinary service to public television.

 

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