In an academic tradition that spans more than 30 years, this year’s Faculty Lecture honor went to English department Chair Nancy Zink.  

English professor Irene Menegas likens the award bestowed by the Faculty Senate to “winning the Screen Actors Guild award.”

In addition to receiving $1,000 from the faculty senate, Zink gave a lecture April 21, “If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands,”  on how people stay happy at the workplace even when times are tough. She will do so again at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Performing Arts Center.

Despite the rainy weather, faculty, staff, and students came to her April 21 lecture.  

In her lecture, Zink told anecdotal stories about her fellow professors, of her past working experiences, and of her father, an Italian immigrant who came to the United States and worked at a steel mill for more than 40 years.  

Zink recounted how a forklift crushed her father’s foot on the job one day. He was rushed to the infirmary and had his foot put in a cast, but instead of going home, Zink’s father went right back to his post.

Her father never missed a day of work because he felt obligated to give back to the people who gave him a job. Zink said that her father’s work ethics are what inspired her to do well in her life.

Connecting with people at the workplace, like what her father did, is what motivates people to stay and do their best at their job. It is also what brings her the most happiness from working at this campus because “DVC is a community that cares about each other.”

She thanked the co-workers who helped her assemble her speech, such as English professor Keith Mikolavich, whom she said is working hard at reshaping the structure of the school.

“That’s Nancy for you,” said English professor David Vela, “always thinking about others.”

Zink concluded her lecture by encouraging the audience to stand and sing out loud a few lines of “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.”

“Don’t let me be the only one singing,” Zink said and then laughed.

Zink didn’t have to worry. The audience was more than happy to sing and clap along with her.

Contact David Matteri at [email protected]