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����Թ�'s outgoing President Beverly J. Warren recently presented the 2019 President’s Award of Distinction to Debbie Riggs of the East Liverpool Campus.

The award recognizes a staff member who demonstrates outstanding achievements, service, leadership and dedication to ����Թ� State in advancing the university’s strategic priorities and core values.

Riggs began her career at ����Թ� State in 1996 as the administrative assistant with the Physical Therapist Assistant program and, in 2007, she moved into the assistant dean’s office as an administrative assistant there, as well. She holds a degree in information technology from the university.

When presenting the award, Dr. Warren noted Riggs’ extensive community outreach work on behalf of the university, as well as her work with ����Թ� State students. Warren also pointed out that she received hundreds of nominations for these awards, but only seven such awards were presented across the ����Թ� State system this year.

Nominations for the award may come from peers, supervisors or other divisional leaders, faculty of students. The final decision resides with the president and each recipient receives a $1,500 award.

Riggs was nominated by staff members from the ����Թ� State East Liverpool PTA program. She was surprised by the presentation, given at a joint meeting with members of the ����Թ� Ashtabula PTA program on the East Liverpool Campus. Joining them was Dr. David Dees, dean and chief administrative officer of the Columbiana County campuses, and Dr. Susan Rossi, assistant dean for the East Liverpool Campus. Dr. Warren announced the award via a computer link up.

“This is quite an honor and a recognition that is well-deserved,” Dees, said. “Congrats to Debbie!”

Debbie and her husband, Terry, live in East Liverpool and have two grown sons. 

“I very much enjoy my job, because I love helping students succeed with their educational goals,” Riggs said. “I have met a lot of students over the years, and still keep in touch with many of them. I enjoy working with a wonderful team of individuals that make my job easier.”

Cutline A: Debbie Riggs

Cutline B: There to congratulate Debbie Riggs (center) on receiving the President’s Award of Distinction were (from left) Darryl Hancock and Lynn Leija, of the East Liverpool PTA program; Nick Blake of the Ashtabula PTA program; Dean David Dees; Tiffany Kiphart, academic program director of the Ashtabula and East Liverpool PTA program; Becky Rempe, Ashtabula PTA program; Assistant Dean Susan Rossi; Betsy Scholosser, Ashtabula PTA program; and Katie Sutton, East Liverpool PTA program.

Cutline C: Debbie Riggs and Dr. Bev Warren connecting through technology.