MERITORIOUS AWARD WINNERS
2009 Award Winners
We need more like him around, wrote one of this award winner’s nominators. He likes to solve problems as soon as they arise and is the “go-to guy” for all problems big or small. He is one of the most laid-back people you will ever meet and doesn’t get worked up with people even if he has to help someone with the same problem over and over again. He takes time to instruct the person on how to understand better. Another nominator wrote, “He displays a high level of commitment to his position on a daily basis. He is always one of the first people to volunteer to teach a new workshop.” You often find him here well past 4:30 and on Saturdays and Sundays too if necessary. He made himself available 24/7 when the College of Education and Human Development went through their reaccreditation site visit, just in case the accreditation team had problems with the lap tops he helped set up. When the CIO was looking for third-party software for the UND Volunteer Coordination Center during the spring 2009 flood, he researched and found the software and was able to get the software company to let UND use it for free. He also volunteered to work over a weekend and throughout the week to ensure the software was working and to assist in running the database. He is a member of Staff Senate and sits on the Executive Committee. It’s obvious he loves his work, and it shows through the care he provides to our students, staff and faculty.
Chad Bushy, System Administrator and IT Specialist, Center for Instructional & Learning Technologies
This winner exemplifies excellence and motivation in all that she does. She not only handles all of her assigned tasks with distinction, she initiates changes and alterations in procedures that greatly enhance their efficiency and progress. She is an extremely hard-working individual that is the epitome of organization and diligence. She has made a profound difference in the department and has significantly decreased the administrative workload of individual faculty. She is highly intelligent and has become renowned for her encyclopedic knowledge of proper procedure and all things PeopleSoft. “Her dependability is not an adjective; it is a life-style”, wrote her supervisor. Her work ethic is inspiring. This in itself commands the respect of all who rely on her. She is willing to stop what she is working on to help out at a moment’s notice and always gets the job done. She works with great energy and enthusiasm and clearly is committed to ensuring that faculty, students, and staff can accomplish their goals. Her efficiency and professionalism is striking to all who come in contact with her, whether they are from the department, the school, or from outside the University.
Bonnie Kee, Administrative Assistant, Anatomy and Cell Biology
Her supervisor states: “She wants everything to look good and always has safety in mind”. She is very aware of her surroundings and makes sure to call in work orders, questions something if it doesn’t seem right and makes sure everything is clean before she leaves an area. She takes her time to make sure it is done right the first time. She will help out co-workers with advice, or if the crew is shorthanded, she often volunteers to work overtime. She is willing to bring up issues that need to be dealt with and doesn’t give up until they are taken care of. She is always thinking of ways to save money or save time for the University. She goes above and beyond to make sure UND is a safe place to work and that the buildings she works in are clean and repairs are taken care of.
Diane Kenmir, Building Services Technician, Facilities Management
As one faculty member wrote: “Because of the work that this winner does, the graduate students who interact with the department get the best that the University of North Dakota has to offer.” She is unfailingly courteous, friendly, and helpful. She is a highly visible and central presence in her department. She is the first to welcome one and all and to wish everyone a good evening or weekend. No matter how busy she is, she always addresses the concerns of the faculty and students promptly and with due diligence. The department has grown to 5 full time professors and several adjuncts. She has picked-up the additional work required for these faculty without a word of complaint, even when it meant stretching a budget that never increased in all the time she has had the position. You never have to ask her to do something a second time. Another faculty member wrote, “She is a major foundation for my work in the department. She is the person that I routinely go to first with any questions I have about administrative matters related to my teaching.” Students feel appreciated and acknowledged by her every single day. Even students at a distance, who only speak with her over the phone, feel as though she knows them; that’s how personable and welcoming she is.
Sharon Johnson, Administrative Secretary, Education Foundations and Research
One nominator of this award winner wrote, “She participates.” That says it all. She is clearly in there with her whole being on the job. On the other hand, she is unobtrusive. She has taken the development efforts of the College to a much higher level in the approximately four years that she’s been here. For example: written grants that have resulted in funding in support of the college; deepened relationships with alumni and friends; spearheaded the establishment of the Dean’s Advisory Council; expanded the homecoming events in the College; improved the quality of publications; initiated hosting alumni events nationally; and begun more regular correspondence with alumni such as holidays, birthdays, or in response to press releases. The Interim Dean stated that she had a community member recently intentionally seek her out and state how absolutely amazing this award winner is to work with. Her comments were that “she is extremely organized, easy to work with, creative, and always follows through”. She is a member of Staff Senate who skillfully and professionally completes any job she undertakes and does so with a pleasant, cooperative style. She has a gift for making people feel welcome and has a natural communication style which immediately puts others at ease.
Becky Cournia, Alumni and Development Coordinator, College of Nursing
These days when customer service seems to be lacking in so many businesses, it’s certainly not where this award winner works. Not only does she serve her regular clientele with prompt and pleasant service, but she is extremely helpful and friendly to visitors. She is quick to respond to special needs of customers and does so from the heart. Her smile and infectious giggle are always rays of sunshine on any day, regardless of the weather outside. She often works alone and manages to keep everyone’s needs a top priority. She knows many by name and even knows what particular items they are fond of. It’s not unusual for her put away a special muffin or side dish for someone when she knows they will really enjoy it. She does an excellent job of maintaining inventory of supplies and food items. She knows what will move and what will not. She works hard to keep the area clean and inviting and has received outstanding scores from the Department of Health. One of the nominators said, “The core value that this employee represents in her management and service delivery is consistent attention to quality of product and service and an exceptionally high and noticeable dedication to customer safety and comfort.”
Tammy Kaiser, Twamley Snack Bar Supervisor, Dining Services
It is the general consensus that this award winner knows her job inside and out, makes things happen, and is committed and responsible. Although publications are not an expectation of her position, she frequently co-authors research with federal scientists. She developed software to track samples and data validation. This software enabled the center to eliminate transcription errors, improving the quality and quantity of work output, increased efficiency and accountability of staff, and resulted in time and money savings. This software was recognized at UND’s first Annual Inventor’s Recognition Ceremony. She is fair in dealing with problems, and she has the ability to make people feel at ease. Most of all she is an excellent listener. She values and respects everyone’s opinion and contribution. One nominator wrote, “her greatest strength is that she is able to work with people on any level, be it support staff, scientist, student, or administrator.” The values of UND are reflected in her service to her colleagues on the state and federal levels and the standards she sets for the work of the unit she supervises. The voiced opinion of virtually everyone she interacts with is that she genuinely cares, respects others without an evidence of prejudice-- and she, in turn, is respected by others.
LuAnn Johnson, Statistician, Human Nutrition Research Center
This winner is extremely aware of how his work makes living and working conditions comfortable for staff and students alike. Consequently, he takes a broad view when repairing things, considering ways to minimize down time, to complete multiple work orders, and to keep material costs low. He has a gifted sense of work flow and an uncanny ability to anticipate a need. Many times he offers help before we even know we need it! He is an exceptional team member and has a pleasant demeanor toward all. He greets people in their work setting and lets them know what he is doing there. He is meticulous in cleaning up after working in an area. He often takes extra time to make the most of opportunities to fix and repair equipment that he sees even if it is not on his work order, which saves departments untold dollars. His genuine concern for the comfort and safety of others is demonstrated daily in his work, regardless of the building or department. He simply gets the job done, often without the beneficiaries even knowing it. One nominator wrote, “He certainly knows how to work on a team, and he pulls more than his share of the load.”
Tim Gilleland, Plumber, Facilities Management
This award winner was described as a “natural born problem-solver”. When she sees something running inefficiently, she will suggest and facilitate new solutions. She always knows the state of each fund and budget item and when special purchases are needed, she can pinpoint the funds very quickly and find the proper budget for the expenses to be assigned. At the end of each year, the appropriate funds have been allocated to within one dollar of their total allotment. Aside from the accounting duties of her job, she is extremely resourceful in her assistance with the department’s needs. She answers, or finds answers, very quickly and goes out of her way to make sure all who approach her leave with as much information as they need. In her department, there are so many events, accounts, and budget lines to handle that productivity and teamwork are exceptionally important. During busy times, she schedules staff meetings to make sure nothing falls through the cracks and that all work can be facilitated. Service is the key area where this award winner excels. She serves as President of the Staff Senate, President of the North Dakota University System Staff Senate as well as many other committees and task force groups on campus. She has worked to see that staff employees are represented on the State Board of Higher Education. She loves UND and isn’t afraid to show it!
Janice Hoffarth, Administrative Assistant, Department of Music
This award winner has many letters in her file from student groups who are grateful for her help and expertise. You can always count on her to complete an assignment, usually way ahead of schedule. She will start planning and organizing as soon as she is given a job to do. She needs little direction and can figure out most things without supervision. She is a total team player and always gives the credit to others. She keeps excellent notes and makes up manuals so you can find information if she is not available. She is always in a good mood and helpful to people both on and off campus. If you’re going to work with her, you better have tennis shoes on or you’re going to be left in the dust. She has a great working relationship with everyone she works with, both on and off campus. She’s not afraid to dig around in the garbage, which is good, because it’s part of her job. Several times a year she goes through garbage to see how much more could be recycled. She puts on gloves and a mask. One time she was putting signs on garbage cans and a mouse flew at her!! Now that’s dedication! She never puts off until tomorrow what she can get done today. In, fact, she sleeps with a note pad by her bed in case something comes to mind in the middle of the night.
Debbie Merrill, Assistant to the Associate Director of Facilities Management/Recycling Coordinator, Facilities Management
Previous Award Winners
