John Ringle is May EOM

The day before commencement is one of the busiest days on campus. So as John Ringle, (left in photo)director of housing and residential life, walked back across campus from a "meeting" on Friday morning with Steve Chrans and Jim Korte, he didn't think too much about the crowd gathered in the patio area outside Lincoln Residence Hall. Even though there was a grill and tables set up and someone was cooking hotdogs, John, Steve, and Jim kept on talking business, right up to the minute when the crowd broke into applause.

John was being steered into the party honoring him as Employee of the Month for May.

"I always thought I would never fall for this," said John as Steve prepared to make the official presentation.

Reading from nominating materials so he "wouldn’t mess this up," Steve hailed John as the "epitome of an engaged UIS community member."

"He cares deeply about the housing residents and is committed to them," Steve continued. "Just about any Saturday you can see his car in the parking lot."

"I have a great staff and great colleagues," John noted. "Thanks, everybody."

Brian Beckerman is April EOM

With the early onset of spring, Brian Beckerman, assistant superintendent of grounds, has more than enough to do these days. However it’s always good to take a mid-morning break, so when a stop by the Student Center was suggested, he was agreeable.

But in the end Brian was too sharp. He spotted a lot of people, including his wife, through the window and knew something was up. Joan Buckles literally pushed him inside to face his party as April Employee of the Month.

Joan is superintendent of grounds and Brian’s supervisor and she made the official presentation, noting that since coming to campus in 2000 Brian has been promoted from assistant tree surgeon to tree surgeon to his present position. “But he may have regretted accepting that last promotion,” she said, “because it was Brian’s responsibility to be out here at 3 in the morning to clear away the snow and downed trees this winter.

“But he did a great job, and it’s a privilege to work with him.”

For his part, Brian made perhaps the shortest acceptance in EOM history. “Thank you, everybody,” he said.

Brian’s wife, Wendy, and their three children -- Abigail, Connor, and Celia -- were there to help celebrate, and the kids made Dad a special card for the occasion. (See the photo.)