University Communications

President Linda L. M. Bennett announced Dr. Darrin Sorrells, learning assistance specialist and adjunct in the College of Liberal Arts, as the winner of the inaugural ScreaglePride Award during the annual holiday luncheon on Tuesday.

The ScreaglePride award goes to a USI faculty or staff member who embodies the spirit of USI. Nominations were accepted by the Elevating Spirit Committee, and Sorrells received three nominations. “I am truly honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Sorrells. “I’m very fortunate to be able to work at such a fine institution as USI. My goal each day when I step onto the campus is to help people however I can and make a positive difference in their lives." 

As part of the Elevating Spirit initiative, President Bennett asked employees to “take a few minutes out of your busy day to recognize your colleagues for what they are doing to make our community great and to enable us to fulfill our vision.”

Here is what Sorrell’s nominators said:

As I watched the video in the ScreaglePride nomination message, I immediately though of this person who has been instrumental in the growth of student activity and foot traffic in our area. He has mentored    countless students and takes pride in their successes. Engagement, leadership and kindness make him beloved.

His office door is always open and students are frequent visitors. They value his counsel on such topics as graduate school, internships, grades and even personal issues. He listens to them. Our students seek out-and trust-his advice. He even introduced a ‘Don’t Wing it Day’ which reinforces the importance of preparing for finals by treating student to delicious chicken wings!

His involvement and support of all things USI deserves our regard and recognition. His loyalty to students and athletes goes far beyond what would be expected and have been recognized by being asked to throw out the first pitch and even a team-signed soccer ball and 2014-championship baseball. But the ScreaglePride award would be an altogether fitting acknowledgement of his priceless contributions to the spirit of USI.