TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Deborah Hamilton, project manager for The University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research, has been awarded the 2005 Dr. Minnie C. Miles Endowed Excellence Award.

Miles, who died in 2001, was professor emerita in UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce. She established the award in 1995 to promote and recognize administrative excellence. The award is given annually to a non-faculty, administrative staff member who has performed in an exemplary manner to further the mission of the University.

“The committee chose an excellent winner,” said Dr. J. Barry Mason, a past recipient of the Miles Award and dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce, of which the Center for Business and Economic Research is a part. “Deborah Hamilton’s professionalism and her dedication to excellence serve as a model for all of us.”

“Deborah’s work with CBER has been exemplary,” said Dr. Carl Ferguson, associate dean for research and technology and director of CBER. “Her work in coordinating the Alabama Economic Outlook and the Alabama Business Leaders Confidence Index® adds value to our outreach programs. She is a dedicated employee. Her work brings great credit to the University, to CBER and to the business school.”

Hamilton has worked for UA for 28 years. She produces the monthly newsletter Research Notes and provides contract and grant support services to business school faculty. She also works on the College’s electronic newsletter, Culverhouse Online, and manages the center’s Web site, which was named “Outstanding Web Site of 2003” by the national Association for University Business and Economic Research.

She was the 2003 recipient of the Culverhouse College of Commerce Dean’s Service Award.