Established in 1983, this award is presented annually to an NMSU employee who demonstrates commitment and service, functioning as a positive citizen within the community.
“David regularly exhibits a high level of professionalism. He is always friendly, always helpful, and takes pride in his work. He is a leader in the department,” said Glen Haubold, NMSU’s assistant vice president for facilities.
With a contagiously pleasant and humble demeanor, Silva has dedicated 29 years of service to NMSU, striving to keep the campus pristine, and leading by example with his efforts greatly surpassing his area of responsibility, according to his supervisor and the landscape and grounds manager, Bud Jones.
“Mr. Silva is the model employee,” Jones said. “He always displays a positive ‘can do’ attitude when being assigned tasks; this is a behavior that he is instilling in the employees that report to him.”
Silva is responsible for overseeing all aspects of grounds care for the main facilities at the heart of the NMSU campus. This area is the most visible and busiest part of the campus — referred to by facilities and services as the “academic core” — and encompasses 53 buildings amid Espina Street and Jordan Road, and University Avenue and Stewart Avenue.
Despite continuously exceeding the expectations of his superiors, Silva’s modest character left him surprised by his attainment of this award.
“When my supervisor, Bud Jones, mentioned that he was nominating me for the Roberts Memorial Staff Award, I thought that was pretty cool. Never in my wildest dream did I think that it would ever happen,” Silva said. “Then I got an email that I had won the award — I was floored.”
Silva was even more surprised to find out that he was the lone recipient from the campuswide pool of applicants.
“I asked my wife how many other people on the campus also won the award,” Silva said. “She then scared me even more when she said that only one person wins the Roberts Memorial Staff Award. She said that ‘it’s really nice to think that the work that you and your fellow coworkers do for the NMSU campus is something special.’”
There will be an award ceremony in Silva’s honor from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, in Corbett Center Student Union’s Colfax Room, Room 210.
This award was established in memory of the sons of George W. Roberts, the former NMSU assistant vice president for business affairs, and his wife, Ellen Bernice Roberts. The accompanying cash award is made possible through the donations of family and friends, and the Stephen W. and Robert E. Roberts Memorial Endowment fund. The recipient is selected by the NMSU Employee Council from nominations submitted by employees of the university community.
