August 14, 2024
By Mikey Fuller

DeMarlo West, program and operations manager in the George W. Woodruff School of Engineering, was honored with the Soaring Jacket Award at the College of Engineering’s Staff Appreciation Day, held on August 8 at the Exhibition Hall.

The Soaring Jacket Award recognizes self-motivated, critical thinking employees who hold themselves accountable for the quality of their work and their interactions with others. Winners are nominated for displaying true exceptionalism through traits and behaviors such as the following:

• Going above and beyond in the execution of responsibilities 
• Go-getters with a consistently positive attitude
• Exhibiting a high level of professionalism and are team players who inspire others
• Displaying genuine concern and care for colleagues, consistently produce exceptional quality of work, and are effective problem-solvers.

West joined the Woodruff School in October 2022 and supports the Associate Chair for Faculty Development, the Senior Associate Chair for Administration, and the Associate Chair for Inclusive Excellence.

Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Associate Chair for Faculty Development and Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Professor, says West’s support is not limited to standard administrative support. Within one year, he has become “the go-to person” for faculty and staff alike when issues arise with various processes that are vital for the successful operation of the School.

“DeMarlo has had a profound impact on the School and the Institute, continuously creating a lasting legacy of positive change, innovation, and excellence. His contributions to the department and Institute that includes, but not limited to, leadership development, building organizational culture, promoting academic excellence, and reinforcing community engagement have been pivotal and instrumental in uplifting the vision of not only leadership but the Institute,” Kalaitzidou said in her recommendation letter.

Jonathan Gaines, Associate Chair for Inclusive Excellence, hails West as the type of individual that builds a positive culture at an organization based on who he is and how he makes others feel.

“He consistently goes above and beyond his required duties, is essential to the positive culture of the School, and is a leader, both interpersonally and professionally,” Gaines said.

Since joining Georgia Tech, West has spearheaded the School’s leadership efforts to create a collegial culture through planning and hosting various social events including the Woodruff Games, Chili Cook-off, Winter Wonderland, and Pi(e) Day Competition, as well as the planning of the first faculty-staff retreat that took place at the Atlanta Botanical Garden last year.

In addition, every year during Staff Appreciation Day, the Chairs of each School participate in some type of friendly competition. This year, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair Devesh Ranjan toppled the competition and took home the victory in a game of Jenga.