Rogers State University Assistant Registrar Alaina Sprague was recently named the recipient of the Dr. James D. Hess Excellence in Education Award. Sprague received the award at RSU’s 2024 Spring Convocation, held Jan. 10 in the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center. Pictured: RSU President Dr. Larry Rice (from left), RSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Richard Beck, RSU Assistant Registrar Alaina Sprague, and RSU Staff Advisory Council Chair Audrey Baker.
Rogers State University Assistant Registrar Alaina Sprague has been named the winner of the Dr. James D. Hess Excellence in Education Award.
Presented by RSU Staff Advisory Council Chair Audrey Baker at the 2024 Spring Convocation Jan. 10, the Dr. James D. Hess Excellence in Education Award recognizes a staff member that demonstrates a strong commitment to student service, outstanding leadership skills, and community involvement.
Further, award recipients are noted for their dedication to student success, their respective department and RSU, and for their ability and willingness to connect with students, in and out of the office.
Upon presentation of the award Baker thanked Sprague for her work benefiting Rogers State University and its students.
“I’m really honored to have won this award, especially because I know there are so many outstanding staff members at RSU,” Sprague said. “It means a lot to know that the work I do and the effort I put in isn’t only noticed but is truly impactful and makes a difference.”
Edmond native Sprague earned her MBA in accounting from Rogers State University and has worked for the university since September 2017. She currently serves as assistant registrar.
Sprague additionally said she’s thankful to be able to help students on their educational journeys.
“I never intended to have a career in higher education. I initially started working here because it was a means to an end,” she said. “However, a former supervisor really inspired me and showed me how fulfilling and meaningful it can be to be a part of someone’s educational journey, however small that part may be.”
RSU’s Staff Advisory Council represents the university’s administrative, professional, classified, and permanent part-time staff.
The Dr. James D. Hess Excellence in Education Endowment provides exemplary service awards for professional and academic staff members who work at RSU. One staff member from each department or division is nominated, with nominations including examples of exemplary performances in the areas of student service, ability to excel in their work, leadership skills, communication skills and community involvement.
Dr. James Hess worked at Rogers State University from 1981-96 under then-President Dr. Richard Mosier. During his tenure on the Hill, he established two endowments, one named after his grandfather, John Harrell Cothran and the other, which bears his name.
“Sometimes, the (RSU) staff are overlooked and their excellent work goes unrecognized,” Hess said. “The award was established to recognize those individuals who give tirelessly to the mission and success of the university.”
Dr. Hess currently serves as the vice president for graduate programs at the OSU Center for Health Sciences and is a Riata Faculty Fellow in the School of Entrepreneurship. Additionally, he is the CEO of the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority, a state agency established by the Oklahoma Legislature to provide funding support for the College of Veterinary Medicine.