RAYMOND – As always, when Beverly Trimble was asked, she was ready to help out at «Ӱҵ’s annual Employee Appreciation event on May 7.
Trimble wore a fancy red dress in honor of a Christmas cruise she missed, in keeping with the “Take Two” theme that celebrated all the events missed during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Utica Campus employee Beverly Trimble reacts to learning she has been named the recipient of the 3E Award, the highest award given by «Ӱҵ.
But as Jackie Granberry, executive director of the «Ӱҵ Foundation, began reading the biography of the winner of this year’s 3E Award, Trimble realized she was hearing her own life story. The 3E Award, which stands for Emphasis on Excellence and Enrichment, is the highest award the college gives.
“It was a surprise as well as an honor to be the recipient of such an award,” said Trimble, a Utica native, a «Ӱҵ alumnus and 16-year college employee. “I was truly humbled by this recognition because in all that I do, it is never for show, but to help others along the way on whatever journey they have selected. My sole purpose is to inspire others from the heart.”
In addition to being an adviser to Phi Theta Kappa student honor society, she has a long title – compliance and reporting coordinator for the college’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs – but what she really does is help people get the education and training they need to find a job.
“The 3E Award is presented annually to a person who lives out the mission of «Ӱҵ, who is passionate about serving and who goes above and beyond for the college and the community,” Granberry said. “I think this award was developed with our 2021 recipient in mind. She is all about serving others.”
In addition to her work at «Ӱҵ, Trimble is heavily involved in community activities, serving her church through many roles and serving as president of the Friends of Utica.
Granberry noted that she is a fighter, recently beating breast cancer.
Trimble said winning the award was more emotional for her than when she was told she had breast cancer.
“I thought to myself, ‘Who chose a little old person from Utica?’ I was truly humbled to receive such an esteemed honor and award. I still cannot believe that I was chosen,” she said.