Cole Hatcher has been a shining force on Ohio Wesleyan’s campus for 11 years, and on Wednesday, he was recognized with the 2017 Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) Award from the University Staff Council.
The award, in its second year, honors a non-faculty employee who goes above and beyond his or her job description, offering encouragement, a positive attitude, and an efficient work ethic to the campus community. Nominees are judged by the Staff Council.
Hatcher is the Director of Media and Community Relations, but to those who know him, he’s a wearer of many hats: public relations professional, storyteller, editor, committee member, mentor, mission trip leader, and friend, to name just a few.
He was nominated for the award by Will Kopp, Chief Communication Officer. “Cole puts every ounce of effort and creative thought into his work – whether it’s a simple OWU Daily announcement, a major news release, or a pitch to the Chronicle,” Kopp says. “You know Cole’s work is going to be accurate, incredibly fast, and have that spark of imagination that makes it memorable.”
To those who work with Hatcher, his work ethic can only be described with one word: perfection.
During the past year, Hatcher has helped Ohio Wesleyan gain positive publicity in national publications including The Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and The Hechinger Report.
In the community, he serves on the Main Street Delaware Board of Directors, participates in the Town-Gown Council with President Rock Jones and Delaware leaders, and works closely with business and civic leaders across the city.
“In my 35 years in this business,” Kopp concludes, “Cole is the most reliable, most responsive media relations professional I’ve worked with. You might say he’s perfect.”
During the Jan. 10 recognition event, Ohio Wesleyan also honored staff members reaching milestones in their service to the campus community. Those honored included: