DURANT, Okla. – The Staff Senate at Southeastern Oklahoma State University recognized April Lehrling as the winner of the 2023 “Unsung Hero” Award. The award is presented by the Staff Senate to an SE staff member who goes above and beyond the call of duty and who may work behind the scenes, but still makes a huge impact within the campus community.
“I am overwhelmed by the appreciation my colleagues have shown in the receipt of this honor,” Lehrling said. “There are so many wonderful people here at Southeastern who are deserving of this. I am flabbergasted and humbled, and appreciate the roles each of them work so hard to fulfill every day.”
Lehrling is the director of Student Wellness Services at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Lehrling is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and evaluation for all departmental service areas; promoting academic excellence by providing health services education and crisis management to meet students’ needs; and providing for collaborative practice through development and maintenance of campus and community relations. Lehrling has been in her current position since 1999.
A nomination for Lehrling noted “April is an amazing person. Not only does she care about the students’ health, she cares about the staff and faculty as well. Anytime I need help with a medical question I go straight to April. She is there offering a hand in anything and everything on campus and off campus she is always behind the pictures instead of in them.”
Others said “April is always working behind the scenes and she has done a lot for us here at SE. If we need anything from a COVID test, to shots, to medication… she is there trying to keep us healthy while here at work. April got us through COVID. She worked tirelessly to keep all of our organizations and students tested and safe. She deserves a lot of recognition for everything she did and continues to do for this university!”
