Tracey Zapata, Departmental Secretary for the Office of Student Development and Adaptive Needs in the John W. Schmidt Center for Student Success, has won Troy University’s Vergil Parks McKinley Award.

Zapata received the award from Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, during the University’s annual Faculty/Staff Christmas Luncheon at the Troy Campus on Wednesday. She was nominated by Dr. Hal Fulmer, former Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate and First-Year Studies who retired this fall. 

The McKinley Award is the highest honor that Troy University gives to a non-faculty staff member. It is presented quarterly to an employee who has demonstrated outstanding attitude, innovation and work ethic. The award was established by the late John McKinley, former Texaco CEO, in honor of his father, Vergil Parks McKinley, who was a Troy University professor during the early 20th century and was key to the development of the University’s athletic program. Winners of this award receive an engraved clock and a $1,000 stipend.

“Tracey is always on time, on task and on target with her efforts,” Dr. Fulmer said. “She is remarkably organized, always in motion with her duties except when she stops to answer a student’s question, which is often. She is unfailingly kind, always polite and forever gentle as she talks with these students, many of whom are struggling to navigate their lives at the University. Tracey is one of those Troy University staff members who never raise their voice or demand attention but are always in place making a difference in the lives of the students and the success of the University. She makes everyone in the JWS Center better every day.”

Zapata said she was honored to receive the award.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Zapata said. “I love working with the students and I don’t expect to receive an award for it. This means a lot because it shows what I’m doing really makes a difference, and the University has given me the opportunity to do that, so I’m grateful.”