Meet this week’s Centennial Stars

Greene and Roach praised as positive envoys for the university

To celebrate Rice’s centennial, this year the university will honor 100 staff members who represent the best of Rice culture. Each week, Centennial Stars will be recognized for their contributions to excellence, and we’ll introduce them in Rice News.

This week’s Centennial Stars are known for their positive impact on campus culture and outstanding representation of the university. They are Darrell Greene, assistant manager in Delivery Services, and Philip Roach, a police officer with the Rice University Police Department.

Darrell Greene

Greene began his 16-year tenure at Rice as a temporary data-entry processor in development. By 1997, Greene transferred to Delivery Services as a post office clerk and has been promoted twice since.

As assistant manager, Greene oversees the daily operation of the campus post office.

“Everybody knows Darrell,” wrote a colleague in the nomination letter for the award. “Everybody calls Darrell if they have questions related to mail because he always has the correct answer.”

With the campus’ branch of the post office serving not only the university, but also the surrounding neighborhoods and medical center, Greene is a steward of the university.

“Darrell’s smile greets you when you walk into the post office,” wrote the colleague.

Described as “always helpful and courteous,” Greene is also knowledgeable about postal rules, rates and regulations.

“Thanks to Darrell, the post office runs like a well-oiled machine,” the letter said. “His attention to detail, creation of spreadsheets and use of accounting procedures have always generated a 100 percent correct financial review for the United States Postal Service.”

Philip Roach

Since 2006, Roach has worked to make Rice a safer place – from crime to traffic hazards.

“He performs more traffic stops, motorist assists, suspicious person stops, key services and building security checks than any other officer on the force,” wrote a colleague in a letter nominating him for the award.

Not only is he prolific in executing his duties, Roach also has a deep understanding of community policing, the letter said.

“He patrols regularly on bike during his shift as well as campus events, making himself more accessible to the public,” the colleague wrote.

As an officer for Baker College, Roach is very involved and attends many cabinet meetings and events.

“I have observed Officer Roach with students at cabinet meetings, public parties and during calls for service,” the colleague wrote. “He treats students with respect and genuinely cares about their well-being.”

Fellow officers and supervisors as well as faculty and staff respect Roach.

“Students appreciate him and affectionately refer to him as ‘Poppa Roach,’” wrote the colleague. “He is a solid member of the Rice community and continues to have a positive impact on the Rice culture.”

To nominate someone as a Centennial Star, go to people.rice.edu/stars. For more information, contact Rebecca Millet at recognition@rice.edu.

To view previous Centennial Stars, visit http://people.rice.edu/Content.aspx?id=2147483712.