Health and Exercise Science faculty member Sharon Woodard was presented with the 2008 Award for Excellence in Advising at the Freshman Convocation held in Wait Chapel on August 22, 2008.  The Award for Excellence in Advising was established in 1988 to recognize outstanding faculty and staff advisers of undergraduate students at Wake Forest.  Supported by the Alumni Council, the Award is both honorary and monetary, and complements the awards given for outstanding teaching and research. 

Sharon joined the faculty in 1998 and has served as a lower division adviser virtually every year she has been at Wake Forest.  She was nominated for the award by her advisees, and their unsolicited observations and recommendations include the following comments: 

“Mrs. Woodard is an excellent advisor and deserves the Excellence in Advising Award.  She is able to answer any questions you may have and if she doesn’t know the answer right off, she will find out and let you know as soon as she can.  She is friendly and very easy to talk to, making it easy to ask questions.  She cares for the students she advises and offers to meet with them any time they have questions and replies to emails in good time.  She also does a great job at keeping you informed of what divisionals you must take in order to graduate.  Overall she is a wonderful advisor and I strongly recommend her as Faculty Advisor.”

“I would like to nominate Sharon Woodard for the Excellence in Advising Award.  She was a wonderful adviser because she combined knowledge, availability, and personality to make me feel comfortable and to help me with any concerns I had related to classes and the registration process especially.  She was more than willing to meet with me whenever I asked.  She also graciously wrote a recommendation letter for me for a scholarship.  Furthermore, she always found the answer to my questions, even if she did not personally have the answer at first.  I really enjoyed working with Mrs. Woodard and getting to know her over the past year and a half.  She definitely helped me with my transition into college!  There is no doubt in my mind that she deserves this award.”

“Mrs. Woodard should be nominated because she truly cares for all her advisees.  Whether you come with your schedule already planned or if you come in empty-handed, Mrs. Woodard will spend an hour with you discussing your college life.”

“Mrs. Woodard was always approachable, available, compassionate, and cheerful.  She was knowledgeable and aware of all possibilities, and went above and beyond what was necessary to help me out.  She called certain departments throughout the university on my behalf, and referred me to the correct departments when I required more specific information.  Mrs. Woodard was a superb undergraduate adviser, and I would recommend her to anyone.”

Succinctly put Sharon is great academic adviser who is personable, caring, receptive, and knowledgeable.  Please join us in congratulating Sharon Woodard as the recipient of the 2008 Award for Excellence in Advising.