BVU Education for Service Honoree Lauded for Role in COVID-19 Fight
‘Rockstar’ noted for her empathy, professionalism, team-first attitude
Buena Vista University Director of Health Services Lorie Stanton, RN BSN, earned the Education for Service Award, an honor presented to BVU’s top employee of the year during the Employee Recognition Celebration held on campus on Wednesday.
Stanton, a 17-year BVU veteran, received a standing ovation from 200 fellow staff and faculty members while being credited for her knowledge, patience, resilience, and team-first attitude in directing the University community through the rigors of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m very humbled in receiving this honor,” she says. “I look at it as a team award. I am blessed to work every day alongside Campus Nurse Nichole Hoffman, RN BSN, as we do all we can to protect the students we serve and the people who work with us.”
Dr. Heather Black, Vice President for Student Success, read from a nomination that described Stanton as a “rockstar” in the service of others.
Stanton laughs and says she knew at that precise time she was likely the recipient among the eight nominees. “Rockstar” is a word she’s heard that describes her and her coworkers’ efforts throughout COVID-19. A decorative plaque in her office offers this definition of the word nurse: “a scrub-wearing, smile-bringing, lifesaving rockstar who lives to heal and loves to encourage.”
It’s an appropriate description for Stanton, a Correctionville native who, as a child, swore she wouldn’t go into nursing or ever work in a nursing home. “I went to visit my great-grandfather in a nursing home when I was a girl and I said I’d never become a nurse and I’d never work in a nursing home,” she says.
With a laugh, she adds, “At age 25, I was the Director of Nursing at a nursing home in Brookings, S.D.”
“I felt so humbled and honored that my peers felt so strongly about nominating me for this award. My father taught me humility and I never want things to be about me. It really was a team effort.”
Lorie Stanton
A graduate of St. Luke’s College of Nursing in Sioux City and South Dakota State University, Stanton came to BVU when her and her husband Tom Stanton’s three children (Taler, Laney, and Sydney) were very little. Lorie Stanton sought a part-time position and found it at BVU, working 14 years assisting her predecessor Tami Laursen, RN BSN.
Three years ago, Stanton moved to full-time in Health Services. One year later, COVID-19 began its march across the world. The fight against the deadly virus continued following Laursen’s departure for a position with the Storm Lake Community School District in February 2021. That’s when Stanton ascended to the Director’s post.
“There were times we had more than 100 students in Health Services twice per week getting tested,” she says. “It wasn’t easy for students, for student-athletes, for faculty and staff, for anyone. We always try to put ourselves in the position of the people we serve. We maintain our professionalism and empathize while still getting our point across about protecting one another.”
BVU President Brian Lenzmeier, whose background is in virology, proved to be a great asset. “As a biologist, Brian understands how sciences, how diseases work,” she says. “He and the COVID-19 team worked to help our campus community achieve a balance when it came to being in-person and still maintaining health and safety protocols. We wanted students here in school and participating in co-curricular activities while protecting their health and the health of those around them.”
Last fall, Stanton’s office conducted 1,800-plus COVID-19 tests. During the Spring 2022 semester, the office performed 750 tests. Amid that testing, Health Services staff members (including some valuable work-study students) conducted programming for students associated with other health issues, including concerns surrounding mental health. Having dedicated space on the second floor of Dixon-Eilers (DE) Hall and being so close to the BVU Counseling Services has been a great change for everyone on campus, she says.
“We love this location in DE. Student, staff, and faculty feedback has been very positive,” Stanton says.
Upon receiving the Education for Service award, a $500 prize endowed by former BVU Vice President John Klockentager and his wife, Connie, Stanton took a deep breath and thanked everyone around her. She didn’t notice her family in the crowd until she stood at the podium. The emotion fully struck her later in the afternoon as she and Tom departed from a reception at Black’s residence.
“I began crying in the car with Tom,” Stanton says. “I felt so humbled and honored that my peers felt so strongly about nominating me for this award. My father taught me humility and I never want things to be about me. It really was a team effort.”
Stanton was back at work early Thursday morning to send the softball team off to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. She then returned to her office and eyed what’s next on the calendar. She and Hoffman are becoming certified health and wellness coaches, a process they’ll conclude this summer.
“We’re always striving to be better equipped to communicate with students about developing a plan for their health and wellbeing,” she says. “Until the next big health issue happens, we’ll keep moving forward by providing quality care and education to help the BVU community stay healthy and safe.”