10 win Staff Excellence Award
Staff recognized for 'outsanding service to University'
Central Michigan University recognized 10 of its staff members with the 2017-18 Staff Excellence Awards for their exemplary service to the university and its students.
Initiated in 1991, the annual award recognizes staff members based on two standards: the person's ability to "perform their work with excellence" and "serve people well." Staff members must show initiative in their work and demonstrate passion in what they do.
The 2017-18 Staff Excellence Award recipients are:
- Charmica L. Abinojar, executive director of student affairs, College of Medicine
- Sarah S. Avery, excecutive secretary, Museum of Cultural & Natural History
- Stephanie Bechtel, director of faculty support and assignment
- Brad Brookens, coordinator of university stores/warehouse operations
- Frank England, journeyman maintenance mechanic
- Lorie Fox, administrative secretary, Communication Sciences & Disorders
- Sarah Hall, coordinator, Office of Research and Graduate Studies
- John Kassuba, assistant director, Residence Life
- Jennifer A. Beck Nottingham, director of university recreation
- Stephanie Terrian, executive secretary, Counseling & Special Education
Nominations for the 2017-18 academic year were gathered in spring 2018 and reviewed by a committee of nine past recipients.
Peers and colleagues nominated staff members for the award. Nominators must provide examples of how the person fits the necessary criteria, as well as gather letters of support from two staff members.
"CMU and the students deserve to have staff that are passionate about their jobs," said Terrian. "It always made an impact when I would encounter staff that went out of their way to make sure my needs were met. It makes a difference. I want students to remember their time here with a positive view."
Abinojar said the satisfaction of a job well-done is what motivates her every day.
"I approach my personal and professional life with the same mantra which is anything that's worth doing is worth doing well," she said.
England said "it is nice to know someone notices the care and pride I take in my work."
Lorie Fox said she chooses to provide service that is "truly reflective" of herself.
"The level of service I provide to students, faculty and staff is the same level that I would expect to receive myself," Fox said. "What I do daily determines the experience they share with others both on and off campus."
Award recipients receive a personalized plaque, recognition at the Staff Excellence Award Program ceremony and a one-year Senior Officer parking pass, valued at $200. If the recipient doesn't need or use on-campus parking, the alternate award is a $200 gift card for the CMU Bookstore.
The Staff Excellence Awards ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the Bovee University Center Rotunda.
