LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Dr. Anne T. Salvatore, Professor of English and department chair, and Dr. Mary D. Pinney, Associate Dean of the College of Continuing Studies, were named the recipients of the 1996 Frank N. Elliott Awards for Distinguished Service at Rider University.

The award, endowed by Rider's Board of Trustees, honors Frank N. Elliott, who retired as the fourth president of Rider in 1990. It is presented annually to one faculty member and one professional staff member and recognizes outstanding commitment to quality and service to the campus community.

Salvatore joined the Rider faculty in 1984 and has served as associate director of the highly successful Writing-Across-The-Curriculum program. Also during her tenure, Salvatore has chaired the University Academic Policy Committee, the Academic Policy Committee of the College of Liberal Arts and Science, the Interim Study Program Committee, and the English Department Writing Committee, and has edited the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Newsletter. She is also active in student recruitment and retention through the Student Ambassador Program, the Educational Enhancement Program, and the Freshman Year Experience Task Force.

"The extent to which we emphasize the development of sound writing skills by all students is due in significant part to Anne' s leadership," said Rider president J. Barton Luedeke in presenting the award.

Pinney joined the Rider staff in 1980 as Assistant to the Dean in the School for Continuing Studies. She has directed and maintained continuation of the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship Program and the Horizons Program for returning women, both for 15 years. At the University level, she has chaired the Quality Enhancement Team on academic advising, working with campus constituencies to implement many of the team's recommendations. Pinney also chaired the search committee for the new Dean of University Libraries and has been involved with the Women's Studies Curriculum Committee, the Women's Studies Colloquium, the Race, Class and Gender Team, and was chosen the Sadie Ziegler-Bernice Gee Woman of the Year in 1987.

"She brings to her work a deep sensitivity to the special needs of adult students," said Luedeke of Pinney. "Mary has advised countless students during her 16 years at Rider and . . . has been acclaimed as a caring, helpful, thoughtful, and perceptive counselor."