University of Idaho Honors Most Valuable Asset: Employees
Friday, April 17 2009
April 17, 2009
Written by Brandi Hayes
MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho will honor 16 employees for outstanding achievements at the annual Staff Awards Reception at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 27, in the university's Student Union Building Ballroom.
“Our employees are our greatest asset and our strongest resource,” said Dan Noble, Chair of Staff Affairs. “Each year, it is great to recognize this outstanding service of staff and their commitment to the University of Idaho.”
Staff Affairs also will recognize a team of staff this year. The Team Award will be given to the Vandal Access Shuttle committee for all their hard work. The committee, made up of Bruce Pitman, Meredyth Goodwin, Gloria Jensen, Debbie Hornbuckle, Julie Lang, Jeanne Christiansen, Michael Jolly, Carl Root, Stuart Robb, Joe Sivula, Jessica Elgan, Heidi Linehan and Berto Cerrillo. They will split a $2,200 prize.
In addition, 206 employees will be recognized for a cumulative 2,933 years of service to the University of Idaho.
The Lawrence C. McBride Prize will be awarded to Debbie Eisinger. The prize was established by private donors in 2002 to recognize exempt staff for exemplary service to the University of Idaho. This prize complements the Outstanding Employee Awards sponsored by Staff Affairs.
The Staff Educational Award will be awarded to Kara Weiss. She is the daughter of Shelley Heimgartner. Brad Beckman’s daughter, Amberly, and Brad Baker’s son, Beau, also will receive awards. Each recipient will receive a $350 reward.
Established in 1972, this signature event is hosted by the university's Staff Affairs and is designed to honor outstanding staff members that have been selected by their co-workers and/or supervisors. The goal of the awards is to encourage more support and recognition of staff for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the University of Idaho.
Each recipient is presented with a plaque and a $500 check in recognition of their outstanding service.
Outstanding Employee Awards
Exempt Classification
• Zachary Blurton became an associate dean in the College of Science in 2008 and has already proven he is invaluable to the college. He was the first to occupy this newly created position, leaving Blurton to lay the groundwork. His dedication was highlighted in his recent commitment to organizing events, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl that was hosted on campus. A DOE coordinator commented that “the entire event at the University of Idaho was a huge success.”
• Kim Cole, the assistant director of New Student Services, who is currently based in Seattle, Wash., lives and breathes University of Idaho despite the distance. Cole welcomes visitors of the university like she would welcome someone into her home. She takes the time to sit down with every prospective student, explaining what the college experience is really like and making sure that the University of Idaho is a good fit for them.
• Suzanne Aaron has brought a new level of fiscal and administrative competency to the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. As an administrative and fiscal operations assistant, Aaron has worked to organize the administrative assistants throughout CLASS. She is dedicated to maintaining transparency throughout the entire budget process, and is always gracious and accommodating to anyone having questions or comments.
• Bruce Godfrey is more than a GIS guru for the Interactive Numeric and Spatial Information Data Engine (INSIDE) Idaho Program. He’s a teacher, too. Godfrey always is willing to take the time to teach others, guest speak for a class or simply answer questions. Beyond his sense of community for the University of Idaho, he is inventive and hard working. He has accomplished more on a shoe-string budget then most could believe. He is looked highly by colleagues and clients. “He has been a terrific contributor to statewide GIS coordination,” said Gail Ewart, the Idaho Geospatial Information Officer
• Vladimir Borek often is sought out for his advice and assistance by his immediate peers, as well as those from different departments. Borek, an analytical instrumentation supervisor, is highly respected for his chemistry expertise, but what sets him apart from others is his cooperative nature and friendly personality. “Vladimir began his tenure 15 years ago. I have been his immediate supervisor for his tenure and throughout his career he has been in indispensible and extremely productive member of my research group,” said Matt Morra, professor of soil science.
• Sharon Jemes, a senior IT programmer analyst, may work behind the scenes, but what she does impacts many at the university. Jemes serves as the Banner Student Module leader and she could probably navigate Banner with her eyes closed. Famous for her tiny handwriting filling up lists and notebooks she brings to meetings, she makes a huge difference and keep the Office of the Registrar running.
Technical/Paraprofessional Classification
• Becky Byers is the go-to gal. As recruitment and advising coordinator for the University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene center, Byers has knowledge of many programs and is constantly dedicated to the current and perspective students. She is a strong contact with Lewis Clark State College in Coeur d’Alene and North Idaho College, and enjoys talking to high school students about the university.
• Jane Lear is quick, dependable and professional. As the cataloging and interlibrary loan assistant in the College of Law library, her attitude sets her apart. She always is ready to help find an obscure book, looking as far as the Smithsonian or private collection, help confirm a citation. She currently is taking the 100 years of law books the library holds and creating electronic holdings for them.
• Michele Mattoon is the mediator, uber organizer and proficient management assistant for the department of agricultural economics and rural sociology. She always finds a way to get things done. As the go-to person, she is an invaluable resource in ensuring compliance and maximum benefit is achieved from complex procedures.
• Kelli G. Schrand is one of the two people on staff at the Martin Institute and the Martin School of International Studies, but that doesn’t slow her down. Schrand is responsible for helping students interested in the department and she has done a great job as enrollment has increased. She even takes time to take classes required for all students so she can better explain what the program is about. Beyond her great work with students, she is effective at improving the budget management for the Martin Institute and the Borah Foundation.
• Robin Schumacker is an employment specialist for the human resources department. She is the primary resource in the areas of international employment authorization, employee accommodations, exiting interviews and services, and unemployment claims. These areas sometimes need a delicate touch and Schumacker is highly qualified to work through tough situations creatively and compassionately.
Secretarial/Clerical Classification
• Theresa Araquistain is an administrative assistant I for the University of Idaho Caldwell Complex. Her dedication to the team was apparent when the Research Center in Caldwell was shut down and a move was in order. Not only did she make sure that the bugs were worked out in the new building, she made sure that everyone’s transfer was as smooth as possible. She is a problem solver and a go-getter. She always is polite and gives the University of Idaho a great face in Southwestern Idaho.
• Todd Bowman is the office services supervisor for the College of Law, specifically in the Legal Aid Clinic. The multi-faceted and high-volume work he completes is impressive. He is organized and takes the initiative to streamline processes in the clinic. “Todd is the glue that binds the Legal Aid Clinic together. All the stake-holders that regularly place demands on Todd would cause most mere mortals to lose their sanity. He can handle the stress with serenity and composure,” said Patrick D. Costello.
• Spencer Farrin is known as the walking encyclopedia of track and field information. As assistant director of media relations in the athletics department, Farrin has taken on the weird hours, travel and deadlines with grace and finesse. On top of his already busy schedule, he did in-depth research, obtaining facts and figures from the history of track and field at the University of Idaho. He works for the student athletes and because of his hard work, the students and their families are able to read about these accomplishments in the newspaper.
Skilled Craft Classification
• Mike Gallina is dedicated to making sure that the Student Recreation Center and all that is inside is always in tip-top shape. Gallina is the lone maintenance person for the recreation center. Not only is his charge the building upkeep, he also maintains all the fitness equipment. He makes sure that not only the staff at the Recreation Center is happy, but those who use the center are happy, too. He always is willing to come in early, leave late and shovel snow to provide a better experience for all those who work and use the recreation center.
Service Maintenance Classification
• Alice Smith is a custodial supervisor for University Housing. She always gives 110 percent, but this past summer her drive was more evident than ever. With the help and direction of Smith, University Housing was able to clean and repair 98 apartments with a light staff. It was expected that only 45 would be finished, but with her organization and perseverance, the expectation was wiped clean without lowering her high quality of standards. She truly created a first-class team.
For more information about Staff Affairs, visit www.uidaho.edu/staffaffairs.
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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University of Idaho researchers attract more than $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the university is the only institution in Idaho to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Its high academic performers include 42 National Merit Scholars and a 2006-07 freshman class with an average high school grade point average of 3.42. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.
Contact: Brandi Hayes, University Communications, (208) 885-7251, brandih@uidaho.edu
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.