Lahr named 2013 Staff Member of the Year

Beth Lahr

HUNTINGTON, Ind. Beth Lahr, managing director of development operations and director of the Forester Fund, has been named Huntington University's 2013 Staff Member of the Year. Earlier this month, Dr. Dwight Brautigam, professor of history, and Dr. Luke Fetters, professor of ministry and missions, were named the 2013 Professors of the Year.

The Staff Member of the Year award, like the Professor of the Year award, recognizes outstanding service to the university.

Lahr, who has been at HU for 33 years, was nominated by faculty and staff for the award and was selected by the university's senior administrators. She was recognized for the award during the annual Celebration of Service banquet today, May 21.

In comments, colleagues said that Lahr is a dedicated employee who goes above and beyond to serve the HU community.

"Through her work here, Beth demonstrates a genuine love for HU, HU students and employees, as well as a strong faith in God," one comment said. "This isn't just a job to her. It really is a ministry."

Lahr has served as a staff member at HU since 1981. Since 1997, she has worked in the Office of Advancement where she provides direction and oversight for internal operations of the Advancement Office, including management of office and support staff, data and resource management, donor relations and donor research. In addition, she oversees the direct mail/annual fund program for the university.

Prior to her current role with advancement, she worked for 16 years in office management for various companies and organizations. She also served as administrative assistant to HU Presidents Gene Habecker and G. Blair Dowden.

Lahr is a 1990 graduate of Huntington with a degree in business management.