Maria de la Torriente Named "Staff Member of the Year" at AASU

Savannah, GA–Maria de la Torriente, senior secretary for the Department of Art, Music, and Theatre at Armstrong Atlantic State University, was named "Staff Member of the Year" during the university's year-end awards ceremony for faculty and staff. Thomas Z. Jones, president of AASU, presented a plaque to de la Torriente recognizing her as the exemplary staff member for the 2002-03 academic year.

"Maria exemplifies the AASU spirit by constantly striving to serve our faculty and students," said Jones. "She is known for her professionalism, integrity, and dedication to her job."

In addition to serving as secretary, de la Torriente fills the role of "gallery assistant, counselor, arts booster, and friend," said Jill Miller, assistant professor of art, in a letter of nomination for the award. "Students walk in the office with bruised feelings and leave with a smile, and alumni come back simply to have a chat with Maria."

De la Torriente began working for Armstrong Atlantic in 1993 as a secretary in the Department of Nursing and in 1995 was promoted to senior secretary in that department. In 1996, she was promoted to her current position of senior secretary in the Art, Music, and Theatre department.