As a building and facilities coordinator at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Libby Foust manages a cluster of seven different buildings that include Wing Hall, Riley-Robb, Morrison Hall and Stocking Hall.
When building needs arise after hours or on the weekends, Foust reaches out with a phone call to let managers know she is on the scene and stays in touch for any follow-up actions. For example, Wing Hall is a 100-plus-year-old building recognized on the National Historic Building Registry. She is always available to answer questions and finds creative, cost-effective solutions to projects and concerns as they arise.
On Oct. 30, Dean Kathryn J. Boor '80 presented Foust with the Core Value Staff Award for the Unsung Hero in a ceremony celebrating research, extension and staff excellence.
Foust is described by her colleagues as focused on solutions and always ready to help. She was among the first to grab a mop when the basement of Wing Hall flooded due to a nearby construction project. Among many examples of her commitment to getting the job done, colleagues recalled her efforts to clear out a decommissioned walk-in cooler so the compressor could be serviced and restarted, and she stayed late the day before a holiday to help deal with an unexpected delivery of a research freezer that would not fit through the loading dock doors.
The Core Value Staff Awards recognize staff whose performance has gone far beyond the standards defined by Cornell’s Skills for Success, recognizing performance that surpasses expectations and makes a significant and/or unique contribution to the college. This award highlights a staff member whose accomplishments extend beyond the guidelines of a specific category and whose performance is deserving of special recognition.
"Libby is truly devoted to providing the highest possible support and service to her departments and to CALS," Boor said at the event. "Her knowledge, experience and service-minded nature are an asset to the university."
► Meet all of our 2017 Research, Extension and Staff Award winners
