Barbara Romano, director of Residential and Event Services, has received the prestigious 2011 Jack Thornton Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International (ACCED-I).

Romano was chosen as this year's award recipient for her service, leadership and many contributions to ACCED-I, the collegiate conference and events profession, and Cornell. At Cornell, Romano oversees several Campus Life enterprises within Student and Academic Services: Conference Services, the housing and dining contracts office and Community Center Operations. She is described in her award nomination as a "much-admired colleague and mentor, and a dedicated, principled and visionary leader."

Romano has been employed with the university for 28 years, with numerous achievements in hospitality, major conference planning, housing and dining management, strategic marketing and new business development.

ACCED-I is made up of campus professionals who design, market, coordinate and plan conferences and special events at colleges and universities worldwide. Romano has been an active member of ACCED-I for more than 16 years, serving in numerous leadership positions, including as president of its board of directors. In 2007 she received ACCED-I's Mentor of the Year Award.