GLENVILLE, W.Va. – Trae Sprague, Director of Residence Life at Glenville State College, has been named the 2020 Staff Employee of the Year.

Nominations for the award called Sprague incredibly polite, a calming influence on students and his peers, and noted that he rarely shows distress or frustration during work.

An administrator said, “When COVID-19 hit, Trae didn’t look to others – he developed a plan, communicated the plan, and took a key leadership role in dealing with all of the uncertainty associated with the pandemic as it relates to our students.”

A student nomination recalled a situation when Sprague’s swift actions and dedication to his job helped them when they were having trouble with the card reader on their residence hall room.

“He also helped me get moved out of my first dorm and into a new one within the course of a morning,” the student added.

“When I heard my name called as the Staff Employee of the Year, I was surprised and very grateful,” said Sprague. “It meant a lot to me to hear some of the comments made by staff, faculty, and students.”

Sprague, originally from Parkersburg, West Virginia, graduated from Glenville State College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in Physical Education in 2012. In August of that year, he joined the Office of Admissions as an Admissions Counselor. Sprague then became the Supervisor of Student Life and Intramural Sports within the Office of Student Life in 2016. Sprague became Director of Residence Life in August 2019.

During his time at GSC as a student, Sprague was a member of the GSC Men’s Golf Team, a member of the inaugural Baseball Club, and served as a Resident Assistant. After he graduated, he became the head coach of the GSC Men’s Golf Team from 2012 – 2015. He received his Master of Science in Education from Fort Hays State University in 2019.

Sprague also received GSC’s prestigious Montrose Award in 2012. The Frank Montrose Award was established in 1952 and is presented during Homecoming to a graduate of the preceding class who was not only an outstanding athlete but also a scholar, a leader, and a person of high moral character.

Sprague becomes the 31st recipient of the staff recognition award that has been presented at GSC since 1986.