2017: Laurie Dobrosky Presented Staff Service Award
Laurie Dobrosky, Associate Director for Alumni Relations, Office of Alumni Relations and Development, was awarded the 2017 Staff Service Award for her extraordinary service to the college, in particular the 50th Anniversary celebrations. More than a year before the celebration began, Laurie was envisioning events, activities, and projects throughout the 2016-2017 academic year designed to celebrate the past, present, and future of Penn State Harrisburg. With the creation of the 50th Anniversary Committee, Laurie was able to involve Penn State Harrisburg alumni, faculty, staff, students, and the community at large.
One of her most ambitious ideas was the 50th Anniversary “We Are Weekend,” a weekend of events and activities that celebrate, engage, and inspire alumni. She pulled together an interdisciplinary group of almost 100 campus employees to coordinate the event.
One nominator wrote, “What I witnessed in her execution of this event was beyond miraculous. She single-handedly united the campus around a common goal, something I have never seen here before. Each unit was represented and engaged in the process of reaching out to alumni, identifying the activities that would be meaningful to their students and alumni. Laurie oversaw coordinating spaces, times, setups, speakers, transportation, catering, music, kids’ activities, climbing walls, art installations, time capsules, and more. As a result, 916 alumni returned in October for the event. Considering that the All Class Reunion at University Park had 530 people attend, I think the ‘We Are Weekend’ Laurie pulled together was an outstanding affair.”
Another nominator applauded Laurie as “an excellent ambassador for the university, as she serves as a volunteer, giving of her time and experience in coordinating special events that benefit local organizations.”
In addition to her role as Associate Director of Alumni Relations, Laurie is heavily involved in campus activities. She serves as a Lion Ambassadors adviser—the largest club on campus—and has built and sustained many campus traditions like Boobies Ball, Bathtub Races, Ghost Tours, Thon All Nighter, and The Bonfire in the Burg.