Applause Awards Recipients - 2013
Pam Su, Recreation Center
I applaud Pam Su for many reasons and while I would like to submit many, I’m only focusing on applauding a specific event. I, and many, applaud Pam Su for her initiative to build the Recreation Center here at SSU. While there were many amazing individuals involved, Pam was and forever will be the corner stone of this sustainably healthy building. "As the visionary behind that project, she inspired the process but in true Pam Su fashion, kept her distance and allowed the students to mold it and lead it. When it opened in 2004, the Recreation Center was one of the first in the CSU and set the standard for facility design – it still sets the standard for sustainable building design. Four rec centers later and that is still the most beautiful one on LPA’s resume." Krista Smith (Fitness Coordinator 2004-2007). — Nominated by Ryan Fitzpatrick, Recreational Center July 18, 2013
Landscaping Department: Jose Aceves, George Atkinson, Luke Crawford, Robert Cunningham, James Doherty, Kevin Dunn, Alonso Gonzalez-Yanez, Jennifer Kielar, Jaime Lugo, Tony Machado, Yriberto Mendoza, Kevin Otten, Jay Pedersen, Jim Silva, Harry Staples, Larry Stone, Dan Twyford, Mike Twyford and Sam Youney
It is Spring Time and I am amazed at the beauty of the campus. The team is always working at maintaining the campus landscape and improving it. I can tell that they put a lot of pride into their work. I'm giving the entire landscaping crew a standing ovation! — Nominated by John-Scott Forester, Art Department, April 23, 2013
Tai Russotti, Office of the Dean Arts and Humanities
Tai Russotti is one of the most professional staffers I have ever met in the School. While showing warmth, compassion, and respect to the faculty, Tai accurately addresses complex budget and scheduling issues that require a great depth of understanding. Tai has a beatific smile that calms her colleagues, even while she is working at a furious pace to complete her work. Her sense of duty and dedication is greatly appreciated by the School. She is trustworthy and has a kind spirit. She serves as a wonderful inspiration to us all. Congrats for a job well done! — Nominated by Elizabeth Burch, Communication Studies, April 17, 2013
Neil Markley, Entrepreneurial Activities
The vending machine upstairs in Salazar Hall jammed when I tried to buy a soda with dollar bills. The card reader became disabled and nobody else could use the machine. I felt bad my bill had jammed the machine. I knew better than to use bills in that machine and should have put money on my Seawolf Card. Out of nowhere Neil appeared with the Golden Touch. I was defeated by the machine and Neil stepped up and got the machine to release my dollar bill and it unjammed the machine. It took him a few minutes to troubleshoot and get it to release the dollar bill. You know there are days when you just want a Pepsi and that machine won't give it to you. Thank you Neil for the Pepsi and for unjamming the machine! — Nominated by Carson Williams, Financial Aid, April 15, 2013
Kathryn Atwood, Administrative Analyst/Specialist, Hutchins School of Liberal Studies
Kathryn Atwood, Administrative Analyst/Specialist, Hutchins School of Liberal Studies Since she joined the Hutchins School just a little over a year ago, Kat has contributed in many ways to the overall functioning of the program. Perhaps most significantly she has revised our website, which was in desperate need of an upgrade. She always responds promptly and effectively to requests for support or supplies, and has gone out of her way to provide assistance on a number of occasions. — Nominated by Debora Hammond, School of Arts and Humanities, March 20, 2013
Kathryn Jeon, Library Assistant, Technical Services
Kathryn is a new addition to the Library's Circulation Department. Before Kathryn came to the department it was a chore to try to fill the various staff absences--not so any more... Kathryn jumps at the chance to help and gladly takes on all the slots that need to be filled! Hooray for Kathryn! — Nominated by Jack Ritchie, Library Assistant, Access Services, March 06, 2013
Ashley Saelee, Student Assistant, University Dining Services
Ashley always goes above and beyond her job duties. She focuses on what needs to be done for Amecis as well as what she can do for her co-workers. Ashley takes it upon herself to make sure everything it taken care of at Amecis and she has filled in for her co-workers with a very short notice. Ashley has worked here for 4 years and I have been in the food industry for over 30 years, I am very impressed with her work ethic. — Nominated by Victoria Rhodes, Food Service Worker I, University Dining Services February 26, 2013
Dash Musser-Brauner, Custodian, Housekeeping
Dash never fails to enter Building 49 with a smile! Rain or shine, he is here with a good spirit, positive attitude, and humor. It is refreshing to know you can always count on him to be polite and courteous to staff, Student Assistants, and program participants in the office. Thank you, Dash, for all you do and for being a member of our team! — Nominated by Casandra Olivares, Program Coordinator, Early Academic Outreach and Vanessa Bascherini, ATS Outreach Advisor, Early Academic Outreach February 27, 2013
Lynne Lyle, Master Teacher, Children's School
Lynne Lyle goes above and beyond her job requirements every day. Lynne takes time to greet and chat with every student assistant that comes into our classroom. Lynne creates beautiful displays to promote and educate the community regarding the importance of Early Childhood Education. She takes time outside of work to promote and advertise the Children's School through publish articles in "Connection" (a Child Development Magazine). Lynne flourishes with exceptional ideas to expand curriculum, build relationships with parents, and develop staff. Lynne is a true advocate and leader in the field of Early Childhood Education. — Nominated by Kristina Sisseck, Associate Teacher, Children’s School, February 22, 2013
Conchita Macarty, Academic Records Specialist, Admissions
I would like to recognize Conchita Macarty for her commitment to the Graduation Team and the entire Records & Registration Department. Conchita consistently demonstrates amazing customer service to faculty, staff and students. Her dedication to our students certainly shines through with her friendly, positive attitude and professional abilities. She goes to great lengths to ensure that every student feel important and valued. Thank you Conchita! — Nominated by Ashley Amador, Student Records, February 21, 2013
Lakin Khan, Administrative Coordinator, Biology
Lakin always goes above and beyond to take care of other people's needs. She will not hesitate to put down what she is working on to help someone in need. She has been a superb mentor. Lakin is someone whom everyone knows they can rely upon. She is a wealth of knowledge and her vast experience means she has an answer to practically any question. No matter what Lakin is dealing with she is always friendly and considerate. She makes an extra effort to cultivate a feeling of community in her daily gestures to coworkers. In short, any employee should aspire to be more like Lakin Khan and in doing so make the entire University a better place to work, and a more effective organization.— Nominated by Brian Batoosingh, Administrative Coordinator, Biology, February 20, 2013
Steve Motley, Building Service Engineer, Operations and Engineering
Steve went out of his way to figure out why my office has been cold for YEARS! His determination has really paid off and I so appreciate that he continues to check in to make sure the heating system is working for everyone on my floor in Stevenson. Big applause to you, Steve! — Nominated by Laurel Holmstrom February 19, 2013
Jessica Avner, Food Service Worker I, Dining Services
Jessica went above and beyond for me today at Charlie Brown's Cafe. I have new dietary restrictions and she was extremely helpful in pointing me in the right direction. I'm appreciative of all her knowledge. Thank you, Jessica! — Nominated by Anonymous, February 18, 2013
Ana Muñoz, Administrative Support Coordinator, Nursing
Ana interacts daily with dozens of students, faculty and potential students and their families. In each interaction she is always respectful, kind, informative and practical. She is calm, cheerful and offers clear direction to absolutely everyone who approaches her desk or calls the department office. Ana has a bicultural background and is an asset to our office because of her well-developed cultural skills which she uses in her communication and behavior with students, staff and faculty. Ana especially strives to create a welcoming atmosphere for new students who are gaining confidence in navigating complex systems at SSU. Each day when I come to work, I look forward to coming into the front office and seeing Ana's bright smile. — Nominated by M Kelly, Faculty, Nursing, February 16, 2013
Eileen Lua, Administrative Support Coordinator, Nursing
Eileen works very hard to keep track, stay informed and plan ahead in managing the multifaceted tasks in our department. She is so talented at managing the complex task involved in running a busy, complex department. Eileen has a gentle, caring approach with students and is especially adept at making everyone feel special. She is an amazing problem solver. Eileen is an asset to our department and SSU. — Nominated by M Kelly, Faculty, Nursing, February 16, 2013
Terry Cheney Sr., Building Service Engineer, Operations and Engineering
Mr. Cheney has been working on various heating and cooling issues in Carson Hall for some weeks now, and not only replaced our ancient thermostats, he has gone above and beyond in helping us make our offices more comfortable. He has checked in multiple times to make sure the heating and cooling was functioning properly, and even discovered strange airflow issues in our office. He fixed these issues in record time. We applaud his tenacity, hard work, and detective skills! — Nominated by Donna Garbesi, Academic Advisor, Hutchins School of Liberal Studies and Kathryn Atwood, Administrative Specialist, Hutchins School of Liberal Studies, January 29, 2013
Administrative Staff, Technicians, Department Chairs, Department Faculty and Facilities from the School of Science & Technology and Facilities Department
A huge THANK YOU to all of the School of Science & Technology staff and faculty along with the dedicated facilities members - particularly Craig Dawson and Christopher Dinno - for your incredible response to the recent Darwin basement flood. We are GRATEFUL for all of the extra effort you have given to move classes and re-build laboratories. Your dedicated service goes above and beyond and has been essential to getting through this rough time. Here's to you ALL! — Nominated by Lynn Stauffer, Dean, School of Science and Technology, January 24, 2013
Media Services, Information Technology Department
I am one of the professors unable to use my smart classroom in the Darwin basement. Media services has bent over backwards to make each of my temporary classrooms "smart." They have wheeled equipment over and set it up efficiently and cheerfully. There have never been excuses for why it can't be done and they have made great use of their resources. In turn, the nursing students in my research class haven't had their learning compromised. Thank you! — Nominated by Jeanette Koshar RN, NP, PhD, Professor, Nursing, January 23, 2013