Spirit of Innovation (Classified)

Becky Valekis

When Becky Valekis was the administrative support coordinator in the university Office of Annual Giving, her colleagues considered her the “glue that held the department together.” For nine years, Valekis has served the university with superior attention to detail, creative ingenuity, and excellent customer service. That service has led Valekis to receive a recent promotion to Assistant Director.

As a member of a small staff that’s responsible for many comprehensive projects, Valekis displays professional excellence and an innovative spirit by going above and beyond the duties typically assigned to an administrative support professional. Valekis believes in challenging herself, and sees the positive opportunity in every task and project. Her peers say she has been instrumental in keeping track of the Annual Giving budget and coordinating its calendar, finding new ways to improve processes. She has also utilized a creative spirit in executing tasks related to direct mail appeals and reminder cards in response to the phonathon. Her ability to take initiative on these projects has enabled the office to make great strides in the fundraising success of Wright State.

Valekis is an integral part of the coordination and implementation of the annual Campus Scholarship & Innovation Campaign (CSIC). Since she began working in Annual Giving, CSIC has raised more than $2.7 million in scholarships and program funds that directly support Wright State students. She serves as the reports and gift coordinator for CSIC tracking more than 1,000 faculty, staff, and retiree gifts and delivering weekly reports to unit chairs and university leadership. The success of CSIC can be attributed first to the generous donors, but second to Valekis’ support and organization.