Donna Brasher honored for leadership and contributions to Red Raider Orientation
Donna Brasher, unit associate director in the College of Education, received the Texas Tech University President's Award of Excellence for outstanding leadership, committee service and campus volunteer work as a staff member.
Doug Hamman, chair of the Teacher Education Department, nominated Brasher for the award for going "above and beyond to ensure our University is preparing well-qualified candidates for Texas schools."
Her accomplishments include leading a team that won grant funding from Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation, providing 12 Texas Tech students with the opportunity to receive the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers. The scholarship provides $8,000 per year to promising students committed to the teaching profession. Brasher was also commended for work on the TechTeach line of teacher training programs, helping boost the production of bilingual elementary teachers and teachers who work in rural schools. There is a national shortage of teachers in those areas.
"I am truly humbled by this award," Brasher said. "I love the work I do in the college and more importantly the people I work with each and every day. I could not do the work I do without the support and assistance of many others in the college. Each person involved in the launch of TechTeach is deserving of an award. I proudly represent each and every one of them."
The university also recognized Brasher for her work coordinating Red Raider Orientation and representing Texas Tech on boards of state-level organizations, including the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education. Brasher and others from around the university accepted awards Tuesday at the 2018 Distinguished Staff Awards ceremony in the Red Raider Ballroom at the Student Union Building.
"The mantra that best describes Texas Tech is 'What can I do for you?'" Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec said. "There is an exceptional culture here that you don't find anywhere else. That's a reflection of our staff and what they are willing to do to make Texas Tech a great place."
