September 07, 2007

Recreational Sports and Services honors Manning

by Christi Mathis

manning

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CARBONDALE, Ill. – Amber L. Manning is the first recipient of the Dream Team Student Employee of the Month award. Willie Ehling, the new director of Recreational Sports and Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, created the award to recognize employees for outstanding performance and/or customer service. Manning, the August winner, is a graduate assistant for sports clubs and aquatics.

"Amber has been an integral part of the success of the aquatics and sport clubs programs," said Jeff Goelz, program coordinator. "Her knowledge, attitude, and leadership are why she is a major part of the leadership committee known as the D.R.E.A.M. (Developing Recreation Educators And Mentors) Team. Her contributions to the Aquatics Department and Recreational Sports and Services are a testimony to her abilities as a leader. Her knowledge, attitude, and leadership inspire all those around her."

Manning began working at the Student Recreation Center in 2002 and she's been a lifeguard and supervisor prior to becoming a graduate assistant in June 2006. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and is pursuing a master's in counselor education/couple and family therapy. She plans to graduate in December 2009 and then intends to work on her doctorate in counselor education in Florida.

Manning's career goal is to work as a professor in the counselor education field.

She is the daughter of Robert and Myra Manning of Lanark. Manning received four box seats to a Southern Illinois Miners Frontier League baseball team game in Marion and her name goes on a perpetual plaque in the main lounge of the Student Recreation Center. More than 700,000 users visit the facility annually.