Governor's award nominee Stephanie Gallemore recognized for supporting Special Olympics
An 11-year veteran of the Virginia Tech Police Department, Senior Officer Stephanie J. Gallemore is known by her colleagues as someone who will always volunteer to take on a new project, especially if that project benefits the community she is sworn to protect.
So it comes as no surprise to her fellow officers that Gallemore, one of only seven Virginia Tech employees nominated in 2014 to represent the university in the state-wide Governor's Award program, was nominated in the program's community service and volunteerism category.
In addition to her law enforcement responsibilities as a member of the department's Patrol Division, Gallemore heads the department’s fundraising efforts for Special Olympics. In this volunteer position, Gallemore organizes several events every year to support the organization.
One of the most successful fundraisers held on campus each year is the Virginia Tech Police Department's annual hot dog sale each May, which raises thousands of dollars each time the event is held.
In addition, Gallemore helps organize the annual Regional Special Olympics basketball tournament, Guns vs. Hoses softball tournament, Color Me Rad 5K, as well as the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. Each of these events involves law enforcement officers participating with Special Olympics athletes. All together, these events raise more than $30,000 a year.
“This type of interaction with the public is what builds the bonds that form the strongest relationships between a police department and the community it serves,” said Virginia Tech Police Chief Kevin Foust. “Corporal Gallemore is the person who facilitates those interactions with our community and in doing so supports an incredible organization.”
The effort required of Gallemore to do all this goes well beyond what is required for her employment at the police department. She often spends her personal time and money on these events, and it's clear that she is passionate about the cause.
"She gets things done with fervor and diligence, and her sights remain firmly focused on the goal; the goal is achieved every time an athlete gets another opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the games," said Foust.
Gallemore has made a significant impression in the hearts of her colleagues and in the hearts of all those associated with Special Olympics. She is an inspiration to the Virginia Tech Police Department, the university community, and the Town of Blacksburg.
"Corporal Gallemore is the complete embodiment of Ut Prosim," said Foust. "She is the perfect example of what Virginia Tech stands for.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
