Joyner Library recognizes student employees with Thompson Award.

Congratulations to Kristal McCalop and Tess Will, who have been named as the 2019 recipients of the Marie and James Thompson Student Award, a $500 award given to student employees of the library.

Both McCalop and Will work as administrative assistants for Joyner’s administrative team.

2019 Thompson Award winners Kristal McCalop and Tess Will

McCalop, a speech and hearing sciences major, credits her job at Joyner with helping her discover library resources and develop professional skills. “In class, I learn concepts and ideas that, while working at Joyner Library, I am able to apply in authentic situations. Having the opportunity to take what I learn in the classroom and use it in the world helps me, as a student, retain and remember that knowledge. Receiving this award has given me confidence and shown me that hard work does, in fact, pay off. I look forward to one day having the ability to give back to my community as the Thompsons have,” said McCalop.

In her recommendation, supervisor Leigh Boyd wrote, “Kristal adapts quickly to the ever-changing environment and is always willing to assist in any way needed. She always has a positive attitude and a readiness to learn. She is an effective communicator and is well respected by her peers. Kristal has grown professionally during her time with us and continues to be a great asset to the administrative office.”

Will is a history major preparing for graduate school. “I intend to pursue a master’s in public history and a master’s in library science. My work here at Joyner has been invaluable to me in my pursuit of higher education. I have made so many important professional connections as well as great friends,” she said.

 “One of the main things I have learned at Joyner is how to be a better multitasker and a reliable leader. These are key aspects to my chosen career field. I would love to work in a museum when I graduate with my MA and this will require me to be up for anything! You have to be willing and able to break off from a certain task and dive fully into something else at a moment’s notice. As a museum professional, I will certainly work with volunteers and students, so my ability as a leader and a teacher is crucial to my work. Both of these things are traits I’ve nurtured while working at Joyner.”

“Tess holds the trust of all who work with her. Her contributions to the administrative office have been immeasurable. One example: Our director recently asked for her assistance in editing a manuscript. She took the lead on this project and was responsible for training and coordinating the other student staff in ways that they could assist. She serves as the lead for our student workers and trains new student employees,” wrote supervisor Leigh Boyd.

Marie and James Thompson previously served on Joyner’s Advancement Council and established this award to support students; Marie Thompson is a retired school librarian who earned her bachelor’s degree in library science and her master of library science at East Carolina University.

To be eligible for the Thompson Award, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have worked at Joyner for at least one semester of the most recent academic year and be committed to continuing their employment at the library for the fall semester.