MANCHESTER, N.H. – Saint Anselm College's Academic Resource Center (ARC) Director Kenn Walker and Grounds Supervisor Kim Britton were chosen as the recipients of the "Hawks Soar Higher" Award for the month of December 2017 and were presented with their awards in person on Tuesday afternoon.

All-Time Award Recipients

Now in its fourth month, the award was formed to allow the Department of Athletics to recognize individuals who are instrumental to the College's efforts to offer a first-class, transformational student-athlete experience. Each month during the academic year, two individuals employed by the College outside of athletics will be honored.

Britton has been a member of the College's physical plant team for 25 years and currently serves as the Grounds Supervisor. Kim is such a big fan of Hawks' athletics that she spends many evenings and weekends working at the scorer's table for men's and women's home basketball games. She also oversees landscaping and campus aesthetics, which are important factors in the recruiting process - not only for prospective student-athletes and their families - but for all visitors to campus. Finally, Kim assists her physical plant colleagues in ensuring that home athletic fields are maintained to the highest standard.

"For my department, it is important that people's first impression of Saint Anselm College be one of 'Wow!'," Britton said. "It all starts with how things look and how they are maintained on the outside both in terms of the athletic facilities and campus in general. We want students and student-athletes to feel like they've come home when they drive on campus since this will be their home for the next four years."

Walker, a member of the Class of 1985, is the Director of the Academic Resource Center and has been a member of the College community for more than 30 years. Kenn and his staff offer assistance to Hawks' student-athletes in many forms, including writing support, small study groups and peer mentoring, among others. He is also the faculty/staff team advisor for the football team.

"I am touched by this," said Walker upon receiving the award. "Student-athletes enrich the campus experience for all of us, students, faculty and staff alike. Those of us able to work closely with student-athletes have an opportunity to witness up close their dedication, persistence and college pride. When they require additional support, whether academic or otherwise, we in the ARC consider it a privilege to have these hard-working individuals turn to us, and I, personally, enjoy celebrating their victories in the classroom and on the field or court."