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2007 Ross Oglesby Award goes to FSU Police Sgt. Mark Edenfield
Garnet and Gold Key's 2007 Ross Oglesby Award has been bestowed on Sgt. Mark Edenfield, a member of the Florida State University Police Department for 25 years and the "go-to guy" for the coordination of crucial logistics such as police staffing at football games and other special campus and student-sponsored events.
The prestigious annual honor--always a closely held secret--was announced last Friday night during the Alumni Association's Homecoming Awards Banquet by students Nicole Vouvalis and Anne Littlejohn, the vice-president and secretary, respectively, of FSU's Garnet and Gold Key. Each year since 1973, the student-run leadership honor society has selected the Ross Oglesby Award from among nominated faculty and staff with 10 or more years of exemplary service, integrity and commitment to students and the university.
"When you look up the word 'service' in the dictionary, Sgt. Mark Edenfield's picture will be there and he'll have a smile on his face," said FSU Police Department Chief David Perry. "'Exceptional' is one of many words that describe Mark's level of commitment both to our department and this university. He truly is deserving of the Ross Oglesby Award for his tireless work to ensure that student-related events and activities go off without a hitch."
"Sgt. Edenfield is the epitome of a giving person," said senior finance major Alexis Jenkins, the 2007-2008 president of Garnet and Gold Key. "When it comes to helping students, there is no request too big or too small, whether it involves just answering a question or getting his hands dirty by, for instance, helping students pull the Spirit Drum out of the stadium so that we could beat the drum for 24 hours before the Miami game. Not only does Sgt. Edenfield help students plan events, he attends them and lends his attention to every detail to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sgt. Edenfield shows his Seminole spirit by truly going above and beyond to help others."
Edenfield has deep roots in the community. He was born in Tallahassee, graduated from Leon High School, earned his bachelor's degree in criminology from FSU in 1979, and married an FSU alumna (Charlotte Eaton Edenfield).
In 1982, Edenfield joined the FSU Police Department as a patrol officer, and served as a Field Training Officer, a member of the Crisis Management Unit, and an "Adopt A Cop" for FSU's Adopt A Cop program, which promotes safe, comfortable living environments for students. In addition to his regular duties, he spent several years teaching Defensive Tactics and other Basic Training classes at Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy.
Promoted to FSUPD Special Operations Sergeant in 1997, Edenfield now is responsible for coordinating the police staffing at all campus special events. In addition to overseeing major athletic match-ups such as football and baseball games, he arranges police assistance for activities such as Parents' Weekend, Homecoming, Seven Days of Opening Nights, Flying High Circus, concerts, pep rallies, and sorority and fraternity dances, among others, and works with the Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff's Office and Florida A&M University police on community events.
Edenfield also travels with the football team to ensure the safe transport of equipment.
"Sgt. Mark Edenfield has assisted us for nearly 20 years," said Andy Urbanic, FSU's associate athletics director. "He's been an invaluable member of our 'football wheels team' that escorts our equipment truck to and from away games. He also coordinates the escort logistics for all visiting teams to Doak Campbell Stadium and serves as a liaison official between the football department and FSU Police. Mark has been our 'go to' guy for various security needs. His commitment to service and excellence is unparalleled and his leadership has made him a respected member of our Seminole family."
"In the course of his work, Sgt. Edenfield has met a number of famous people and worked with the Secret Service on events involving distinguished guest speakers," said Garnet and Gold Key faculty advisor William "Bill" Woodyard, an FSU College of Business associate and instructor--and last year's Ross Oglesby Award winner. "He has served on many committees, including the Parents Association and Student Awards, and always takes the time to answer questions on just about anything, from a faculty member calling about parking for attendees at a conference or an alumna asking which roads are open or closed for a campus event to frantic parents calling for help in locating a daughter who hasn't been in touch for several days."
Edenfield was inducted several years ago as a member of the FSU Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society (ODK).
"Mark so enjoys working directly with students that he has declined administrative promotions in order to continue to do so," Woodyard said. "He is a true Seminole and a true student advocate, and we congratulate him on his richly deserved 2007 Ross Oglesby Award."
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