Thursday, December 03, 2009

December EOM is Patty Sullivan



"You got me!" admitted Patty Sullivan as she stepped into the restaurant of the Public Affairs Center on Thursday morning to cheers and calls of "surprise!"

Patty, a graphic designer at UIS, was named the December Employee of the Month during a celebration that included her coworkers as well as her family members.

"Everybody in Campus Services has the highest regard for the work you do for us, the university community and for the community at large. We want to thank you, thank you, thank you," said Larz Gaydos, printing production coordinator.

Patty started her career at Sangamon State University as a typesetter 19 years ago. She worked her way up to primary designer, the job she now does.

"She knows it all; she does it all," Larz said. "She goes out of her way to make UIS look good. And she helps us consistently put our best foot forward. It's really been an honor and privilege to work with you, Patty."

Patty said she had nothing else to express besides her gratitude.

"Thank you, everyone...I don't have anything to say except 'thank you!'," she said.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Bobbie Fults is November EOM



Bobbie Fults
was literally crowned Employee of the Month for November 2009 during a ceremony in the University Hall Building atrium on Wednesday, November 18.

Fults has been an Office Support Specialist in the Computer Science Department since October 2005. She held several other positions on campus before taking on her current role.

“She’s got them all organized and quickly made the department her own. She’s organized the faculty. She’s organized the students,” said Donna Schaub, assistant to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Fults’ friends and family was on hand to congratulate her, along with her niece Emery who presented her with flowers. Her co-workers also had a gift for her, a tiara to wear. She vowed to never take it off.

“I don’t know what to say for a change. I’m just blessed to be where I work with the people I work with, and it’s very rare to come to work with family every day,” said Fults.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Terry Minder is October EOM


Terry Minder walked into his Employee of the Month celebration carrying food for his own party, but the surprise was already out of the bag.

“I kind of knew it. I kept threatening to call in sick, but Joan says no you can’t. I don’t know what else to say. I’m honored,” said Minder.

Minder was honored with the October Employee of the Month award during a ceremony in the UIS Student Center on Thursday, October 29, 2009.

He started working for UIS in May of 2000 as a part-time grounds keeper and in March 2002 was named the Assistant Grounds Gardener.

The UIS grounds crew is responsible for caring for more than 370 acres of land. Minder takes care of some of the most diverse flowerbeds and other areas around campus.

“He does an excellent job and a beautiful job taking care of the annuals and perennials that we put out every year,” said Joan Buckles, UIS horticulturist and grounds worker supervisor.

Minder has helped to nurture many of the plants and flowers on campus from the seed phase to full bloom. He spends a lot of time working in the greenhouse on campus to make sure they’re perfect.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Laurie Koehne is September EOM


Laurie Koehne
couldn’t figure out why everyone kept telling her they were sorry she was sick last week. It all started to make sense when she found out she’d been named September Employee of the Month at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Koehne was honored with the award during a ceremony at the PAC Restaurant on Monday, September 21, 2009.

Koehne went home sick on the day her party had originally been scheduled, which meant some last minute changes. Her co-workers did what they could to keep it a secret and it appears to have worked.

“I’m extremely shocked,” said Koehne.

Laurie has been a building services worker for UIS for almost 4 years.

“Laurie just does everything she’s asked to do and much, much more all the way around,” said Tim Ritzo, Building Services Superintendent.

“Does that mean I don’t have to finish working throughout the day?" Laurie fired back at her boss. Ritzo said they rely on her too much to take a day off.

The party was complete with cake, punch and other treats made by her co-workers.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Michelle Green is August EOM



When Michelle Green was up late making a cheese ball for Diana Nelson's Employee of the Month party, she said she didn't mind because she knew what a great job Diana has done for UIS lately.

So when Michelle walked into Diana's celebration on Thursday afternoon, September 3, she got a huge surprise when she found out the celebration she had been helping to plan was actually for her!

Michelle, director of marketing for the university, was named August 2009 Employee of the Month on Thursday during a surprise party in the Public Affairs Center Restaurant.

"You guys are good!" Michelle laughed when she realized the party was in her honor. "And I'm usually not easily fooled!"

Being director of marketing, Michelle works very closely with the staff of the Office of Admissions to craft the branding and messages that they use to recruit students to UIS, said Ed Wojcicki, associate chancellor for constituent relations.

"We're all grateful to you for your hard work and helping us focus on our brand," Ed said.

Michelle has also done a lot of market research over the summer to "help us understand who we are," Ed said, and helping the public to recognize UIS as a university that provides a U of I degree with small classes and professors who have great relationships with their students.

"She works really hard," Ed said. "She is one of many one-person operations we have here at UIS, which is not easy to do. But she does it, and she does it extremely well. So we're here to honor you as Employee of the Month."

Michelle acknowledged that although she is a "one-man band," she couldn't do her job without everyone that she works with.

"I just want to say thank you for coming today," she told the gathered crowd. "This is a great place to work because of the people. Everyone's open to new ideas."

"I love being at a place where we're on our way up and making progress," she added. "I know what we're doing is really important, so thank you all; I really appreciate it."

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Pam Rodgers is EOM for July



The look on Kara McElwrath's face was total surprise when she walked into the Employee of the Month celebration on Tuesday afternoon, July 14.

But Kara's mock surprise gave way to total shock from Pam Rodgers as Pam's name was read as Employee of the Month.

In order to surprise Pam, she was told that Kara was the EOM and that Pam would escort her to the party. Pam quietly took a seat as everyone cheered for Kara upon entering the PAC Restaurant. But the attention quickly turned to Pam as Tulio Llosa announced Pam as the actual EOM!

"I don't know what to say - I thought I really had Kara tricked!" Pam laughed after recovering from her surprise.

Pam is a microcomputer coordinator in the department of Information Technology Services.

"Pam is responsible for supporting the technology in the smart classrooms and labs here on campus, and she's been doing it for about 10 years," said Tulio, director of educational technology for ITS. "She does a great job. One of her biggest skills is her dedication. In fact, sometimes Pam does things that don't even belong to her team just to get the work done!"

Before the start of classes in the fall and spring, Pam can be found at UIS at all hours, even late on a Sunday night, just to make sure everything is ready for the start of the semester, Tulio said.

Tulio also read a quote from a fellow coworker of Pam's, which stated "Pam is always competent, professional and kind in assisting our patrons."

Pam, at first bewildered when the surprise turned her way, was honored at the EOM award.

"Thank you, everyone," she said. "I don't know that what I do is that Employee of the Month-ish; I just try to do the best I can do. I really appreciate everyone I work with."

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Kimberly Craig is June EOM



Kimberly Craig thought she was walking into a faculty development workshop on Thursday morning, June 18, but was in for a surprise. Kimberly was named June Employee of the Month in a celebration in the Public Affairs Center.

Kimberly is the assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education for UIS and coordinates the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience speaker series.

"She has single-handedly started and run the speaker series, bringing thousands upon thousands of speakers to UIS to deal with engaged citizenship," said Karen Moranski, Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education.

"Kimberly is just steady as she goes, she's our mainstay in our department, and we're just thrilled to do this for her today," Karen said.

Kimberly began her career at UIS in 1995 as a temporary employee and always said she'd like to work in her current office.

"Here I am back all these years later," she said. "I always knew I wanted to work here, and I love it, so you're stuck with me. Thank you."

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

May EOM is Bob Lael



His first reaction was shock, and then came relief when he realized he wasn't actually in the PAC Restaurant for a phone conference about workers' compensation! Bob Lael walked into his surprise celebration on Tuesday afternoon, May 12, as he was named the 2009 May Employee of the Month.

Bob is the assistant manager of Human Resources at UIS.

"I am extremely honored and proud to present this honor to you," said Wes Weisenburn, Human Resources director. "You are such a friend to all of us; you provide quality service. Bob is dedicated to certainly human resources and the university and the countless students who have come to Bob for support in the student insurance program."

Bob is a leader not only here at UIS, but he also serves on a leadership team for the U of I Office of Business and Financial Services, Wes said.

"He is frequently the first person at the office, and it's a race to see who will make the coffee!" Wes laughed. "He's been a wonderful addition to the HR team for last four years, we've learned a lot from him, and we're very happy to have him."

Bob thanked everyone in attendance for "taking time out of their busy day to come."

"It's always a pleasure to work with each and every one of you because whenever I've needed something, you've always been there to support me, and I've tried to reciprocate with you," he said. "Thank you all very much."

Friday, May 08, 2009

Patty Stoutamyer is EOM for April

Patty Stoutamyer was surprised on Tuesday morning, April 21 as the 2009 April Employee of the Month with a celebration on the landing of the second floor of University Hall.

Patty is the office support specialist for the departments of Mathematical Sciences and Music at UIS.

Materials nominating Patty as Employee of the Month read:

"Patty is extremely dedicated to her students, faculty and job responsibilities. She goes out of her way to provide service to students and faculty, and does so in a friendly, professional manner."

With the offering of developmental math courses at UIS, Patty's job has become more demanding and challenging, but she handles the additional work with a positive attitude.

"Her workload has grown considerably, but she is still extremely productive. She goes the extra mile to help in any way she can," nominating materials read. "Patty's faculty know they can go to her, and she will listen and provide any help that she can."

Patty is vice president of the clerical union and has served on several campus committees, including the Diversity Committee and Holiday Party Committee. She also volunteers at the Music programs and other campus events.

"She is very deserving of this honor," wrote her nominators.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

March EOM is Tom Micklus



The only way to get Tom Micklus to his own Employee of the Month celebration was to tell him that his coworker was the EOM and he needed to escort him to the party.

Tom got a little surprise when he walked into the Student Center in the Student Life Building on Tuesday morning and was named the Employee of the Month for March 2009.

Tom is an electrician foreman for UIS and has worked here for more than 18 years.

"He's one of those quiet wonderful, hardworking employees that always does his job, does it thoroughly and is extremely knowledgeable about the campus, said Dave Barrows, Associate Chancellor for Administrative Affairs.

"Unfortunately he's going to be retiring in a few months," Dave said, to which Tom responded "maybe!" with a laugh.

"We'd like to congratulate Tom and thank him for all of the service he's given us," Dave said.

Tom encouraged everyone to have a good time at his celebration and thanked everyone present.

"I just hope everybody enjoys themselves; I don't know what to say," he said. "I appreciate all of your kindness, thank you."

Monday, February 09, 2009

Emily Welch Boles is February EOM



Even as the applause started and she was handed a bouquet of flowers, Emily Welch Boles had absolutely no idea what the cause for all of the celebration was. But she quickly found out that it was her.

On Monday morning, February 9, Emily was named the February 2009 Employee of the Month at UIS. Emily works in the Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning as a Computer Assisted Instruction Specialist.

"She's an exceptional worker, staying late often to provide service above and beyond what is expected, showing original thinking in her solutions to problems, and displaying an infectious 'can-do attitude' in every situation," said Shari McCurdy, associate director of OTEL.

Shari said that Emily is always positive and supportive in her relationships with her coworkers, students, faculty and staff at UIS.

"Emily works tirelessly and moves mountains to help our office fulfill its mission to faculty and staff," Shari said.

Emily was thrilled to celebrate the occasion with her family and coworkers on hand.

"Thank you all very much; I'm floored," she said. "I couldn't do my job without my coworkers."

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

2008 Employee of the Year is...Tammy Craig!



Exemplary actions and leadership in her position as director of the Career Development Center led Tammy Craig to be named the University of Illinois at Springfield 2008 Employee of the Year.

The 26th UIS Employee of the Year award was announced on Tuesday, January 27, during the annual recognition ceremony in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby.

Tammy was the Employee of the Month in April and gave many thanks to her staff at the Career Center for their support, as well as everyone else she has worked with at UIS.

"What a surprise this is!" she said. "This is a very, very great honor for me. I've worked at UIS for many years now, and I've been around a lot of very good people, and I want to thank each and every one of you because every day you helped make my job that much easier."

The other Employees of the Month during 2008 included Ron Peddicord, Donna Young, Dennis Jones, Sharon Heflin, Alice Bettis, Donna Schaub, Jill Voyles, Frank Moscardelli, Rowena Vail and Chrisa Potthast.

All of the Employees of the Month stood to be recognized for their achievements before Ed Wojcicki, associate vice chancellor for constituent relations, read Tammy's name as the award recipient.

Wesley Weisenburn, director of human resources, served as Master of Ceremonies. The 11 Employees of the Month are role models and lead by example, Wes said.

"We have come together today to honor, recognize and celebrate their achievements," he said. "When I think of these 11 employees, I think of dedication, determination, leadership by example and their quality of service for UIS. Their proficiency, skills, attention to work assignments and attention to fellow employees and customers are observed by all of us. They share an optimism that fuels energy and enthusiasm, which promotes their achievements."

"Thank you to all 11 of you for being 11 inspirations exemplifying the strength of our workforce," he told the group.