Acorn Alumna Selected as Outstanding State Employee

BY LEANN DILBECK –

Former Polk County resident and Acorn alumna has been selected as the Outstanding State Employee by the Arkansas State Employee Association.  Carrie Pennington, daughter of Curt and Susan Boyd and a 1998 Acorn High School graduate received the prestigious honor last week.

Pennington, an administrative analyst in the Department of Industrial Engineering for the University of Arkansas, received a multitude of accolades and nominations from the faculty and is considered a favorite among faculty and students alike.

Pennington is no stranger to awards.  Her exemplary service has earned her multiple awards. In 2013, she received the Golden Tusk Award that is given to members of the university community for going above and beyond. She has been twice selected by the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering as Support Staff Member of the Year (2012 and 2016). And in the spring of 2016, Pennington was selected as Employee of the Semester by the College of Engineering and then later Employee of the Year. She was also selected as University Employee of the Quarter by the Staff Senate.

Pennington began her career with the State of Arkansas in 2002 with the State Highway Department. She transferred to the University of Arkansas in January 2006 and worked with the Civil Engineering Department as an Administrative Specialist.

In a press release issued by the University, John White, Distinguished Professor and Chancellor Emeritus stated, “Her devotion to the University’s ‘students first’ attitude is evident in all the things she does that are beyond what is expected of her. Carrie possesses an enormous love for people, especially students. Our students return the sentiment and consider Carrie their ‘go-to’ person.”

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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