2005 Fuller Award Winner - Indiana Section American Water Works Association

Patricia D. Spence, PE, DEE

The George Warren Fuller award is the highest honor a section can bestow upon a member. This award was created in honor of George Warren Fuller because of his outstanding and immense contributions to the profession and to the water industry.

The recipients of the George Warren Fuller award are selected by individual sections of the Association, from among their own members. This selection is presumed to recognize publicly the contribution toward the advancement of water works practice which the individual has made within the particular section which designates him or her for the award.

The terms and conditions for the Award include:
    • The candidate must have offered services above and beyond those expected
      of the member's normal responsibilities. This performance must be outstanding and extraordinary
    • Must be a member of AWWA.
    • Selected by a committee of five former Fuller Awardees

Our current Past Chair, Pat Spence has been named the recipient of the George E. Warren Fuller Award of the Indiana Section AWWA.

The award was presented on February 23, 2005, at the Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis during the Section's annual meeting. Katie McCain, President of American Water Works Association, presented the award to Pat at the reception on Wednesday evening of the annual meeting. The Award is conferred upon deserving members for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of the sound engineering skills, brilliant diplomatic talent and constructive leadership, which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller. Pat received the pin from Katie McCain and will receive the plaque at the Association's annual conference in San Francisco in June.

We all learned some interesting things as Katie McCain read a biography of Pat. Penned by her husband Steve and very lightly edited by the Fuller Award Chair, we have many items to remind Pat of as the years go by! We learned of Pat's acting skills from her performing in Godspell and Man of La Mancha. W hile in college Pat was a go-cart race crew member, a dining room staff person, tutor and even found time to break the rules by sliding down an old fire escape. Her currnet hobbies are scuba diving and cross stitching.

After graduating from Purdue University in 1978 with a BS in Civil Engineering, Pat earned her Professional Engineer's licence. She is recognised as a Diplomat of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. She has been employed for over 26 years with HNTB Corporation in Indianapolis. Pat is an Associate Vice President at HNTB and her duties mainlyare focused upon the design of drinking water related facilities for the company.

Pat's involvement with the Indiana Section has been extensive for over ten years. She has served as Assistant Secretary Treasurer, Secretary Treasurer (1996 – 2001), Vice Chair, Chair Elect, Chair and now Past CHair. She has recently volunteered to be the Editor of our Section's newsletter, News Leaks. Pat's dedication to work and AWWA were exemplified by her penchant for checking her e-mail log during weekends, while on vacation and yes, even while hospitalized! Additionally, she fervently persued her job responsibilities by climbing an elevated water tower while with child.

Despite her great dedication to HNTB and AWWA, Pat does have a full life outside her profession. She has a great husband Steve and three wonderful sons Dustin, Shawn and Mark. Pat is very active in her church. She also is an avid Colts fan and if the fan cam would pause upon her, she might be found doing a cross-stitch project during the game. Don't be misled though, she still is a "loud" Colts supporter.

As a Section we are very proud of Pat and have been blessed by her attention to detail, skilled leadership and willingness to serve. Congratulations, Pat!