Durham, NC - Marian Brown was driving to a Duke women's basketball game in January when her cell phone rang. 

Deb Johnson, assistant vice provost and director of student administrative services at Duke, was on the line.

"I need help," Johnson told Brown, an adjudications officer for Duke Parking and Transportation Services. 

Johnson needed a bus to shuttle about 50 students to the Fuqua School of Business for the Winter Forum, a two-and-a-half day global challenges forum that's held the weekend before the semester begins. 

"A colleague gave me your number. Can you help?" Johnson asked.

Brown, who did not know Johnson, sprang into action. She made a series of phone calls and arranged for a bus and driver.

"She went above and beyond for me," Johnson said. "Without her assistance, half of the students who had come back to campus early for Winter Forum would have been unable to make it to the Sunday sessions."

Johnson thanked Brown on Duke's "Making a Difference" employee appreciation blog. She called Brown "a lifesaver."

Brown was surprised but gratified when she received an email informing her that someone posted about her on the blog. 

"I just did what needed to be done," said Brown, who has worked at Duke nearly 20 years. "But it is really nice to be thanked in this way."