F&M Stories

The novel coronavirus pandemic has posed unexpected challenges for members of the Franklin & Marshall community and around the globe. So when Debbie Joseph received a virtual meeting request from F&M President Barbara K. Altmann to see how she was doing during the crisis, she thought it was a nice gesture.

But Altmann had a surprise for the academic coordinator of F&M's Department of Music. During their Google meeting in early May, the president informed Joseph that she is the 2020 recipient of the Richard Kneedler Distinguished Service Award. The honor recognizes a member of the professional staff who consistently goes above and beyond what would normally be considered good performance; who has earned the respect of students and colleagues; and who has clearly demonstrated his or her commitment to the mission of the College.

"It was a shock, a wonderful shock," Joseph said of learning the news from Altmann. "It's very humbling. I never, ever dreamed that I'd win the Kneedler Award. I just want to do the best job I can do in anything I do. To be honored by your peers—it's hard to put into words."

Joseph joined the Department of Music before the spring semester of 2005. She has seen—and helped—the department grow over the past 15 years, with the addition of tenure-track faculty, adjunct professors, and a greater number of music lessons offered to students. She says there is no such thing as a typical day in her office in Meyran Hall.

"I start out each day thinking, 'Here's what I want to get done," she says. "But then someone will walk in and say, 'Hey, did you know that?' And that's a good thing. I'm never bored. It's a high-energy job."

Colleagues say that Joseph is the calm in the eye of the storm, someone who juggles increasing demands with grace and good humor. They credit her with seeing the good in every situation and using a creative approach to solve problems. Perhaps most significantly, they say she creates teaching moments for students.

Working with students is the best part of her job, Joseph says. "I look forward to the beginning of each semester and meeting new students. But I don't like to say goodbye to the seniors."

Joseph's responsibilities at F&M extend far beyond her department. Each year, she coordinates the College's Phi Beta Kappa ceremony that is held the day before Commencement. Since all students are completing the semester virtually this year, she has worked with Phi Beta Kappa chair and Associate Professor of Russian Jon Stone to organize a recorded ceremony for the new members.

"The ceremony fills my heart every year," she says. "This year it will be a bit different, but we hope it's just as meaningful for the students."

Joseph will spend the summer working on her garden and enjoying virtual meetings with her six grandchildren. But she looks forward to the day when she can return to the center of the action in Meyran Hall.

"We're charting new territory now, working from home," she said. "I can't wait to get back to interacting with people in the office."

Debbie Joseph has helped the Department of Music grow over the past 15 years, with the addition of tenure-track faculty, adjunct professors, and a greater number of music lessons offered to students. She says there is no such thing as a typical day in her office in Meyran Hall.