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By SUSAN PHILLIPS
University Gazette

CHAPEL HILL -- Described as a "banker, a counselor, an adviser, a mentor and sometimes a pastor," Doug Crutchfield’s main job in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Office of Scholarships and Student Aid is that of senior accountant.

But he’s also the office purveyor of candy bars, and his Vance Hall office is the site for an occasional "recess." One day he’s moving furniture, another he’s starting someone’s battery or "doing taxes for a former, and very ill, co-worker."

And now the Roxboro resident is the latest winner of the university’s Robert R. Cornwell Unsung Hero Award. He received the award, a plaque and a check for $100 at a reception held recently in Wilson Library.

The award goes annually to a current, full-time, permanent faculty or staff employee who has provided significant service in support of the University over a long period of time and, generally, from a background position. Excellence in the quality of work performed is the standard used for selecting the recipient, but of equal importance is the likelihood that the employee’s work has gone unnoticed by much of the University community.

Shirley Ort, associate provost and director of the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid, nominated Crutchfield for the honor "on behalf of the entire staff." In her nominating materials, Ort suggested that Crutchfield’s name and the phrase "Unsung Hero" are interchangeable, based on the way his "values and work ethic" exemplify the award.

Crutchfield has been with Carolina since 1978, and he maintains complete financial records for the annual student aid program of approximately $140 million.

Ort said he is "particularly effective in dealing with students. … He is creative in resolving problems experienced by students; he is resourceful while honoring the rules."

In addition, Ort said, "Doug performs all of [his] duties, and supports his co-workers, with generosity of spirit and great humility. Perhaps it is because of that humility that we think him especially deserving of the …Unsung Hero Award, for he is truly ours in this office."

The award is sponsored by the Office of Institutional Research in recognition of the late Robert R. Cornwell who served as the university’s associate registrar and as research associate for more than 20 years. He died in 1994 in active service of the university, and the award was established to honor him and to recognize the long-term contribution he made to Carolina.

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Photo URL: http://www.unc.edu/news/pics/staff/crutchfield_doug.jpg

Contact: Mike McFarland, (919) 962-8593