Jessica Hoppe Dağcı, Marquand Library Operations & Special Collections Coordinator, receives President's Achievement Award

At the Staff Recognition Luncheon on March 16, Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber, center, honored recipients of the President's Achievement Award, from left, Keller Taylor, Albert Rivera, Jessica Hoppe Dağcı, Penna Ann Rose, David M. Usa, and Kathleen Locke Mannheimer. | Photo by Mark Czajkowski

Jessica Hoppe Dağcı, Marquand Library Coordinator of Operations and Special Collections, received the President's Achievement Award for her dedication and service to Princeton University Library and the University. 

Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber recognized Jessica and five fellow award recipients at the annual Service Recognition Luncheon on March 16 in Jadwin Gymnasium. The award, established by the Office of Human Resources in 1997 as part of the University's Staff Recognition Program, honors exemplary support and administrative staff with five or more years of service whose exceptional commitment and outstanding performance contributes significantly to their departments and the University. Recipients are awarded a framed certificate, an inscription of their name on a plaque displayed in the Office of Human Resources, and $2,500.

At the recognition luncheon, President Eisgruber made the following remarks about Jessica: 

According to Rebecca Friedman, the acting head of Marquand Library, “Jessica plays a central and indispensable role in almost every significant decision, policy or initiative that occurs in Marquand.” Jessica’s expansive portfolio as the coordinator of Marquand Library Operations and Special Collections includes managing all day-to-day operations of the library and maintaining the extraordinarily valuable items in the rare book vault. Photographer and Digital Imaging Specialist John Blazejewski attests to the remarkable dedication Jessica brings to all of her responsibilities. Whether she is efficiently coordinating facility upkeep or masterfully supervising the work of four support staff members, John calls her “one of the most diligent and organized people that I have had the pleasure to work with here at Princeton.”

Jessica is also responsible for hiring, training and supervising 30-35 students per year, and ensuring excellent and reliable staffing at all times that the library is open. Her students laud the passion and compassion she exhibits in this capacity. Dominique Fahmy, Class of 2017, says, “Jessica is one of the most thoughtful, supportive, reflective and respectful people I know. … She pushes everyone around her to be the best version of themselves they can be.” Amanda Leavall, Class of 2017, is inspired by “the level of excellence Jessica displays in all areas of her work.” She says, “Because [Jessica] is so deeply passionate about her work, she excels unlike anyone else.”

In the words of Professor Esther da Costa Meyer: “Jessica is one of our treasures.” Jessica, we agree! Through your keen intelligence, strong work ethic and innovative problem-solving, you have made a tremendous contribution to the mission of Marquand Library. I am pleased to recognize your outstanding service with this award. 

For more information on the President's Achievement Award recipients and other staff recognitions, please visit the University story. 

Written by Stephanie Ramírez, Library Communications Assistant