2022 Excellence in Leadership (Classified)

James Lawrence

James Lawrence, Sign Shop scheduler, received the 2022 President’s Award for Excellence in Leadership (Classified) for partnering with the Office of Marketing to bring stunning murals and graphics to campus.

Lawrence, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wright State, has worked in the Sign Shop since 1993. His colleagues describe him as a dependable worker who can be counted on no matter the deadline or how challenging the job may be.

“James is one of the hardest working people I know,” said Kathy Warden, manager of university space and special projects. “As a party of one, he is responsible for printing and installing signage for events, standard wayfinding and any emergency requests, such as the hundreds of COVID-19 signs that were installed all across the campus during the pandemic.”

A few years ago, Lawrence and the Sign Shop began working with the Office of Marketing to create and install graphics and murals across the campus. Nearly all the murals across the Dayton Campus are the work of Lawrence’s printing and installation efforts.

“He has enthusiastically embraced Dr. Edwards’ Campus Enrichment Program, and as a result, we’ve all seen students pose in front of the stamp outside the Student Union and again in cap and gown in front of Rowdy during graduation ceremonies at the Nutter Center,” Warden said. “His work provides opportunity for positive memories shared by students and families as they arrive on campus to begin their studies and as they leave to begin the next chapter of their lives.”

Lawrence is known to do whatever is necessary to complete a job on time, no matter the request. He has worked through the night to finish a full mural to help provide memorable experiences on the first day of Fall Semester. He has designed and created banners and signs for important events with just a few hours’ notice.

“He isn’t looking for accolades, instead he takes pride in his work, is interested in perfection and customer satisfaction, and once he feels that has been met, he moves on to the next request,” Warden said. “I know when I call on him for anything it will get done and done well. I thoroughly enjoy his creativity and willingness to always put forth more than 100 percent effort.”