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."