February 26, 1999

Another "Rising Star" at the U of A

U of A's "Rising Star" Gina Wheatcroft

Gina Wheatcroft is a self-professed news junkie: Emergency, 60 Minutes, Entertainment Tonight, 20/20 - she catches them all. She knows watching too much TV is not good for a person but she can't help herself. "I love human interest stories," says Wheatcroft, who enjoys spending time watching the tube during winter months.

The news stories provide her with details. And Wheatcroft, manager of alumni branches in Alumni Affairs, loves details. She says her attention to the small things is part of her success to date. "Small details make or break an event."

Wheatcroft has just received the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VIII Rising Star Award, the second consecutive time a U of A staff person has picked it up. Lara Minja, in graphic design and photography services, won it last year. No small feat since CASE District VIII includes Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Manitoba, Montana, Northwest Territories, Oregon, Saskatchewan, Washing-ton and Yukon.

Awards are judged by peers in the industry. The Rising Star Award recognizes the accomplishments of promising individuals whose early success bodes well for future leadership and achievement. Innovation, professionalism and strong leadership qualities are what judges look for. Susan Peirce, director of alumni affairs, says Wheatcroft has all that and more.

"Everything Gina does is a special project," says Peirce. "She's really inspirational. She is very skilled at getting others excited about the project and involved in it." Wheatcroft won the award in part due to her success with Reunion Weekend. Last year's reunion broke attendance records at all events, due to Wheatcroft's efforts and enthusiasm, adds Peirce. What particularly impressed her, says Peirce, was Wheatcroft's work on the gala dinner. It attracted 912 people in 1998, up from 620 the year before.

Wheatcroft is pleased, and flattered, with the recognition. "To be picked out and receive special recognition reempha-sizes what you are doing is right, that you're on the right track. And it's a great motivator," says Wheatcroft. She is bringing her energy and enthusiasm to her new position as manager of alumni branches and she has no plans to rest on her previous accomplishments.

Dr. Terry Flannigan, acting associate vice-president (external affairs), says "I've watched her work as special events coordinator and she does it with such enthusiasm and excitement that I am not surprised she won the award." Flannigan and several others from the U of A recently collected 14 awards in Portland, Ore. for their work at the 1999 CASE District VIII Recognition Program.

When Flannigan first arrived at the U of A, there was a general consensus the university would have trouble competing with the big universities from the U.S., he recalls. Things have changed in recent years. The U of A is the first university to have won the Ginny Carter Smith Grand Crystal Award (the Grey Cup of communications awards) two times in a row. And the U of A had two of six nominations for this year's award. Plus, for the first time, Folio picked up a bronze in its category.

"We are the 'big boys'. We don't hold our head down to any institution in North America - we go head to head. We have the people and the quality," says Flannigan. "When you put anything an institution like ours does and compare it against others, it tells us that we are doing things correctly. It's another way of recognizing the work that is being done."

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