By Carly Banks
NAU Communications
On Tuesday, Judy Manor, assistant director of Campus Shuttle Services at Northern Arizona University, walked into the conference room at 1 p.m. for what she thought was an all department staff meeting.
To Manor’s surprise, five minutes into the “meeting”, a group of more than 15 members of the NAU Chain Gang, fellow faculty members, local press and friends filed into the room—cheering, snapping photos, passing out buttons with Manor’s face on them and carrying a blue and gold cake with “Congratulations, Judy!” written in frosting on the top.
“I was shocked. Completely shocked,” she said.
Every year since 1939, an NAU faculty or staff member is chosen to be honored during homecoming. He or she has been with the university for at least 10 years and demonstrated exceptional service to the university and its students.
This year, that person was Judy Lynne Manor.
Like many NAU employees, Manor came to Flagstaff to attend the university and never left. Unlike the traditional student, Manor lived in family housing on campus with her 12- and 14-year-old sons. She began working for Campus Shuttle Services in 1998 to support her family—earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology while driving a bus full of her fellow Lumberjacks to class each day.
After graduating, she stepped in as interim field operations supervisor in 2004 and has been at the helm of shuttle services since—leading to its success and growth from seven buses, 15 drivers and 1,200 passengers a day to 23 buses, more than 60 drivers and 10,000-plus passengers each day.
As the department grew, so did Manor’s responsibilities. Her work and dedication was recognized as her interim position was made permanent in January 2007, and reclassified two years later as senior program coordinator.
“Judy’s dedication to the campus and students allowed campus shuttle to flourish with more ridership, additional staff, new vehicles and technology and improved charter services,” said Erin Stam, director of Parking and Shuttle Services. “She never backs away from a challenge and faces each day with a smile.”
In May, after nearly 20 years with Campus Shuttle Services, Manor was named assistant director.
A graduate of the Supervisor’s Academy, volunteer for organizations throughout Flagstaff and a member of the Classified Staff Advisory Council, Manor does all she can to make the campus and community better.
“Judy’s devotion to the campus community knows no end,” Stam said. “She gives her all for her team, her students and for her riders. She is passionate about NAU and is a true Lumberjack through and through.”
Manor will join the 77 other faculty and staff members honored with being the Homecoming Dedicatee throughout the years, which will involve a banquet, a ride in the Homecoming parade and a special recognition at the Homecoming football game.
“This feels absolutely amazing,” Manor said as she fought back tears. “I’ve worked at the university for quite a few years, but did not see this coming. It’s just such a nice surprise and honor.”
Manor will be celebrated at the annual Homecoming Dedicatee Banquet scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Ashurst Auditorium. Tickets are $15 each and are available through the Central Ticket Office. Cash, check, dining dollars and JDE will be accepted. A table of each is available for $105, the price of seven tickets.
Manor also will be honored during the Homecoming parade on campus, which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. For details about Homecoming events, visit nau.edu/homecoming.