LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University honored Dr. Pat Chmel (left), professor of fine arts, and Phil Voorhees (right), director of facilities management, as recipients of the 1998 Frank N. Elliott Award for Distinguished Service at President Bart Luedeke's recent annual convocation.

The award, endowed by the Board of Trustees and presented each year to one administrator and one faculty member, honors the fourth president of Rider, who retired in 1990.

Chmel, a resident of Titusville, NJ, came to Rider in 1978 from Muhlenberg College, where he had been director of theatre. He was promoted to associate professor with tenure in 1981 and professor in 1996, and was honored with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1987.

He has directed several musicals, comedies, and dramas for Rider theatre, receiving acclaim and glowing reviews for productions such as Love Rides the Rails, Hair, Little Shop of Horrors, Pippen, The Water Engine, and Godspell.

His production of The Elephant Man was named one of 1995's best productions by Packet Publications.

As fine arts department chair from 1981 through last semester, Chmel led initiatives such as new programs in dance and arts administration, a festival of the works of alumnus William Mastrosimone '74, and the highly successful acting scholarship program.

Voorhees, a resident of Ewing Township, NJ, joined the Rider staff in 1981 as a maintenance mechanic. He rose rapidly through the ranks and was promoted to leadman in 1985 and manager of mechanical and electrical services in 1988 prior to being named director of facilities management in 1990.

In his current capacity, Voorhees manages Rider's two campuses, including 55 buildings totaling almost 1.5 million square feet, as well as 350 acres of grounds and fields.

He has also been a strong supporter of Rider athletics and development efforts, including serving as the Annual Fund chairperson for faculty and staff for the past two years. He is a strong advocate for Rider in his various community activities and is widely respected by township officials, suppliers, contractors, and other facility professionals.