Branham receives U.Va.’s Outstanding Contribution Award

Lyndale Branham, an equipment services and repair technician at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, is the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Contribution Award presented by the University of Virginia.

Branham, a resident of Clintwood, received his award along with other U.Va. employees during a recent dinner hosted in Charlottesville by U.Va. President John T. Casteen.

Each year one staff member from UVa-Wise is selected to receive the Outstanding Contribution Award along with colleagues from U.Va. Letters of nomination are accepted from faculty and staff, with an awards committee making the final decision on the winner.
During his five years at the College, Branham has proven to be a top-notch mechanic who’s always willing to lend a helping hand.

“His efforts extend beyond the mechanic’s garage into the entire UVa-Wise community be it during work hours, in the evenings or on the weekends,” says Stan Kunigelis, associate professor of zoology, whose marine biology outings to Florida have been aided by Branham’s skillful van repairs. “His motivation is simple; he cares about his work, about his co-workers and the community in which he lives. Lyndale’s efforts are unquestionably outstanding.”

Branham is a state-certified mechanic who is able to make miraculous repairs, even when it means driving several hours to get a College bus or van running again. He’s also a certified welder who saved the College more than $20,000 by installing a new baseball scoreboard.
“Working with Lyndale on a daily basis is an inspiration as we observe him going beyond his job duties to lend help to everyone in the Maintenance Department and elsewhere,” says Ray Asher, a carpenter at the College. “You will see him unloading supply trucks after work hours, or assisting a student with a flat tire. Anyone who has crossed paths with Lyndale will agree that he is an exceptional person and an exceptional co-worker.”

Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, UVa-Wise is ranked among the nation’s top ten public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. The only branch campus of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise is home to 1,700 students and offers undergraduate and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.