Letness Receives Elizabeth Gillis Award

It has been 25 years since associate dean of engineering Bart Sinclair began working at Rice—time for him to be recognized for his years of service at this year’s annual Employee Service Award Luncheon held in February. The task of making sure he made it to the lunch fell on Nancy Letness, assistant to the dean of engineering. He’ll be receiving a special surprise recognition, she was told, so make certain he sits at a particular reserved table.

As Letness sat with Sinclair and others from the George R. Brown School of Engineering awaiting the surprise presentation, she was stunned when it was revealed that it was not Sinclair but she who was the day’s honoree: Letness was named the 2004 recipient of the Elizabeth Gillis Award for Exemplary Service.

“This award was a total surprise to me,” Letness said. “I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award named in honor of Elizabeth Gillis, a woman whom I greatly admire and respect.” The Elizabeth Gillis Award for Exemplary Service to Rice University is presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements and exceptional attitude by a staff member in support of the mission of the university.

Letters nominating Letness were submitted from faculty, staff, and students alike, all praising the contributions of the nine-year employee of Rice who is responsible for, among other things, producing reports, managing events, training new employees, and meeting with prospective students.

“However, it is not only what she accomplishes but how she does it that inspires those who know her,” said Elizabeth Gillis, wife of Rice president Malcolm Gillis. “Nancy is thoughtful, energetic, creative, and diplomatic in all of her interactions with others. She puts herself in others’ places when she solves a problem, whether she is working with students, parents, faculty, alumni, or colleagues at other institutions. Many people depend on her; they are never let down.”

—Jennifer Evans