MANSFIELD, PA – Over the summer, Mansfield University employee Ryan Dalton received a surprise phone call. It was a representative from the DOD and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to let him know that he had won the Patriot Award for his support to U.S. National Guard members and veterans on the MU Campus. Ryan was awestruck. The Patriot Award is given to individuals who show superior “efforts made by employers and supervisors to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures.” Mr. Dalton’s award was submitted by Mr. Kyle Norvile, who serves with D Company 103rd Engineers in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Ryan notes that he felt “honored and surprised and, of course, proud” at winning the award.
But the surprises didn’t end there. A few months later, Mr. Dalton was informed the MU staff of The Hut, which he manages, was also being recognized by the DOD with the Seven Seals Award. The Seven Seals award is “the broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR and is presented at the discretion of the State Chair or by ESGR senior leadership.” (See www.esgr.mil/Employer-Awards/Seven-Seals-Award) In Dalton’s words, this award was more important. Ryan says of his team, “I was so proud of the students and wanted to share their achievement more than mine, as they are the core and life of The Hut, and are a wonderful group of Mansfield University students.”
Story by Mansfield University student Joseph Crance