Tolene, Hodges Receive Outstanding Employee Awards

Nathan Tolene (L) and Heather Hodges (R), both of Martin, received the Fall 2021 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during the Fall Clerical and Support Staff Coffee on October 14. They are pictured with UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver.

MARTIN (October 18) – Nathan Tolene and Heather Hodges, both of Martin, received Fall 2021 Outstanding Employee Awards from the University of Tennessee at Martin during a breakfast reception October 14.

Tolene serves as an information technology system administrator for all five of the UT Martin regional centers. His position requires him to travel to each center regularly, devoting long hours assisting faculty, staff and students. “He embodies servant leadership, and as a result of his vast knowledge of our IT systems and outstanding interpersonal skills, he has built lasting relationships all across the university community and West Tennessee,” wrote his coworkers in his nomination letter.

Hodges is the program specialist for the Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communications. She manages the daily operations of the department and helps mentor student employees. “Her dedicated service is a model and inspiration to us all,” coworkers wrote in Hodges’ nomination package. “She works tirelessly to anticipate and meet the needs of her departmental family.”

UT Martin Outstanding Employee Awards are given to one exempt and one non-exempt employee each semester. Recipients are nominated by their coworkers and chosen by a selection committee.

For more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.