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Kabbendjian receives Governor’s Award for Excellence

Gov. Beverly Perdue, left, presented Hermine Kabbendjian, center, with the Governor's Award for Excellence on Nov. 29. They were joined by Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering at NC State. (Photo courtesy of the NC Office of State Personnel)
Gov. Beverly Perdue, left, presented Hermine Kabbendjian, center, with the Governor’s Award for Excellence on Nov. 29. They were joined by Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering at NC State. (Photo courtesy of the NC Office of State Personnel)

Hermine Kabbendjian, director of program administration in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, has received a 2011 Governor’s Award for Excellence. The award is the highest honor a state employee can receive.

Kabbendjian, who was recognized in the “Human Relations” category, along with 11 other individual and group winners, was honored Nov. 29 by Gov. Beverly Perdue at an awards ceremony at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh.

In her role, Kabbendjian provides guidance, assistance and encouragement for faculty, staff, visiting scholars and graduate students. She currently serves as the chief administrator for the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL), a partnership of universities, laboratories and industry representatives that uses advanced computer models to explore innovations in nuclear engineering and design. NC State plays a leading role in the consortium.

Kabbendjian was chosen for the honor after winning Awards for Excellence from the College of Engineering and NC State University.

“Hermine bolstered students’ morale in the demanding nuclear engineering discipline,” said Dr. Yousry Azmy, head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering. “She kept things running smoothly for three different department heads, handling finances, assisting with proposals, monitoring grants and keeping up with graduate students. Hermine considers the department a second home and extended family.”

The Governor’s Awards for Excellence Program is designed to acknowledge and express appreciation for outstanding accomplishments that do not fall entirely within the scope of normal duties and are major contributions reflecting credit on the person and state service. Employees are nominated for the award by other state workers, including their supervisors, co-workers and subordinates.