Angelo State University Honors Top Employees of the Year

SAN ANGELO, TX – Angelo State University employees Tanner Bryant, Dr. Sangeeta Singg and James Reid have been selected to receive the 2021-22 Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards honoring outstanding ASU staff, faculty and administrators.

Bryant, technology services manager in the Information Technology Office, received the Distinguished Staff Award. Singg, a professor of psychology, received the Distinguished Faculty Award. Reid, director of athletics, received the Distinguished Administrator Award. Each also received a $2,500 honorarium.

They, along with 39 other nominees, were honored today (Aug. 18) during the annual ASU Fall Assembly.

Bryant, an ASU employee since 2008, was honored for his extensive technical support at a wide array of ASU athletic and campus events, as well as his management and support of over 60 Information Technology (IT) student employees. He spends a vast amount of time outside regular working hours volunteering his technical support to the live broadcasting and streaming of ASU's athletic events, including additional live streaming coverage of the Rams baseball team at the NCAA Division II College World Series, and the Rams football team in the NCAA D-II Playoffs. He also works closely with Ram TV for live streaming of special campus events, including graduation ceremonies. During working hours, he spends a significant amount of time mentoring IT student employees and developing them into future IT professionals, providing real-world experience while emphasizing professionalism and a strong work ethic. While already overseeing the Computer Lab Services, IT Service Center, Classroom Technology and Field Services teams, he recently began also helping with infrastructure oversight. From his nomination letter: "Tanner always has a positive attitude and creates a welcoming environment for anyone who works with him. In every situation, Tanner is a team player with a 'can-do' attitude. Tanner is an excellent role model for the less experienced team members and the student team."

A 40-year ASU faculty member, Singg was honored for her remarkable, compelling and long-standing record of contributions in teaching, research and service.Known for her friendly and positive attitude, she still deals seriously and conscientiously with all of her students, teaching assignments and training seminars. She also stays current with new teaching methods and technologies while instilling that same love of learning in her students. Also an avid researcher, she has authored 49 publications, including six book chapters, made over 150 presentations at professional conferences, and reviewed over 160 books and journal articles, and she currently serves as an editorial board member on 27 professional psychology journals. She is also tireless in her service efforts as a member of the Three Rivers Counseling Association, Psychological Association of Greater West Texas and numerous other local and regional nonprofit organizations. In 2021, she was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and she has won many other honors and awards. From her nomination letter: "Dr. Singg has made a difference at ASU and in our community, exemplified the Mission and Core Values of the university, and positively impacted the people of our state. I feel she exceeds all the required criteria for receiving the Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Faculty Award."

An ASU alumnus and member of the ASU community for over 35 years, Reid was honored for his commitment to ASU student-athletes and for embodying the "Ram Family" ideal. In addition to overseeing all ASU athletics, he has served on numerous national and regional advisory committees for the NCAA and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, and he is also actively involved with ASU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He always speaks to ASU student-athletes about being committed to their academics, as well as athletics, and is the first to jump in and help any student-athlete who may be struggling academically. He supports ASU student-athletes by providing leadership and professional development opportunities, and he attends almost every ASU athletic event. He also encourages student-athletes to participate in community service and community engagement activities. He is also known as a positive advocate and constant recruiter for ASU, where ever he goes. From his nomination letter: "With the implementation of the new Core Values at Angelo State, it was not a change to the way that James functions. Integrity, Commitment, Community, Significance, and Diversity and Inclusion are values that he lives by every day. James is committed to our students and is constantly looking for ways to help support them and make them better."

The Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards were created by San Angelo native and former ASU student Gary Rodgers and his wife, Pat. Because of their association with many ASU employees over the years, the couple recognized the roles that staff, faculty and administrators perform to help ASU fulfill its mission to prepare students to be responsible and productive citizens. The Rodgers also provide the $2,500 honorarium for each award recipient and have fully endowed the Rodgers Awards through the ASU Foundation so they will continue in perpetuity.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Staff Award were Dara Anderson, Becky Bray, Marla Daugherty, Autumn Ferguson, Sandra Fuentes, John Greenfield, Troy Hill, Dezaray Johnson, Melody Kelley, Farrah Lokey, Mark Multer, Crystal Nelms, Brit Raley, Renee Robbins, Kristin Stanley, Jordan Swiderski and Courtney Wilson.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Faculty Award were Jonathan Alvis, Kenna Archer, Ashley Atwood, Gustavo Campos, Leah Carruth, Carla Ebeling, Kinsey Hansen, Kenneth Heineman, Audrey Heron, JongHwa Lee, Nicole Lozano, Eduardo Martinez, Amy Murphy, Corey Owens, Heather Schoen, Gina Shipley, William Taylor and Sonja Varbelow.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Administrator Award were Scarlet Clouse, Jessica Gooch, Karl Havlak and Flor Madero.