Sarah Grimes (right), winner of the classified staff 2005 Outstanding Service Award, receives her plaque from last year's winner, Linda Hammer.

Classified staff honors contributions of its peers

From among many deserving nominees, Classified Staff Council presented the Outstanding Service Award and Team Award at its annual ceremony April 13. Sarah Grimes, administrative assistant and office manager in the Career Center, won the Outstanding Service Award, and the Team Award went to bursar's office staff members Nancy Posey, Lynn Huber, Cindy Koontz and Denise Grigson.

A cheer went up from her coworkers when Grimes' name was announced. A University employee for more than 25 years, she received $1,000, a reserved parking spot for one year and a plaque. Her name will also be added to a permanent plaque displayed in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

Many of Grimes’ colleagues wrote letters of nomination in her support. JoAnn Kroll, Career Center director, wrote, ”She often reminds me that I did not hire her, but rather inherited her as an employee. I treasure that inheritance every day.” Joan Simon, administrative assistant, characterized Grimes as “the ultimate team player,” adding that she “never said ‘I can’t help.’ It was always ‘How can I help?’”

The Outstanding Service Award is based upon such criteria as job performance, promoting harmony, cooperation, initiative, commitment and going beyond one’s prescribed duties. Last year’s winner, Linda Hammer, presented the award to Grimes, saying that the Career Center professional models exemplary administrative management skills and grace under pressure. Her integrity has made her invaluable as an adviser and sounding board for everyone in the office. “She anticipates potential problems and takes initiative to resolve them before most people would even have recognized them as problems,” Hammer said.

“Sarah has the unusual gift for seeing the big picture as well as the countless details. She never forgets that the reason the University exists is to foster student success.”

Also nominated for the Outstanding Service Award were Elizabeth Allen-Dachick, Women’s Center; Deby Cunningham, academic enhancement; Kandy Current, Center for Evaluation Services; Kathy Dean, registration and records; Kelly Dove, economics; Linda Glomski, School of Communication Studies; Steven MacDonald, facilities services, and Patricia Prezkop, applied statistics and operations research. Each received a certificate in recognition of their many contributions to BGSU.

Bursar's office classified staff members (left to right) Cindy Koontz, Nancy Posey and Lynn Huber were the winners of the 2005 classified staff Team Award. Not pictured is team member Denise Grigson.

The Team Award is presented to a group of two or more classified employees whose collective efforts benefit students, departments, units, areas and the University community. The four winners from the bursar's office will share a $1,500 prize.

The award was presented by Sue Frost, Team Award Committee chair, who said that “the bursar’s office classified staff’s team motto should be ‘Lead by Example.’ They never refuse to help in any way, whether personal or professional. With their compassion and professionalism, they endure their daily stress of dealing with financial matters of students, parents and the University community.”

Frost added that the team members are very unselfish with their time and money, treating student employees to pizza, candy and ice cream, and have created their own scholarship fund that now gives $75-$100 each year to all the office’s student workers.

They are also known for adding a playful touch to events such as Orientation and Registration and Presidents’ Day for students’ and parents’ enjoyment.

The team shows compassion and professionalism in myriad ways, from implementing new computer systems and government regulations to communicating complex information to students and the campus, their nominators wrote. They demonstrate concern not only for students, but also the community, by cooking to raise money or donating funds for people in greater need, they added.

Also nominated for the Team Award were classified staff members from admissions, the business office, the College of Business Administration, the Counseling Center, dining services, the history department, Kohl Hall custodial staff, the School of Communication Studies, the Technology Support Center and the University Libraries budget office. All received certificates of appreciation.

Although monetary awards and other recognitions were given, “there is no way in the world to really compensate people for all they do,” said President Sidney Ribeau. “There is no dollar amount that can pay for the sacrifices you make and time you give,” he added, comparing working at BGSU to parenthood. “If you multiply all the people by the hours and years committed, the University is like a surrogate family,” he said. While "no tangible reward is enough, recognition by one’s peers is a step in the right direction” and the most meaningful of recognitions.

The president also noted the contributions of classified staff to the Family Campaign and to CSC’s burgeoning annual golf outing. “It’s like a Masters now,” he joked, saying it has become hard to get a spot because of its popularity. The outing, which raises money for student scholarships, is another “visible symbol of how people can come together to do something that’s fun and also benefits people. It’s something you can be proud of,” he added.

“These awards go to the people who exemplify the University’s core values,” said outgoing CSC Chair Kathy McBride, “but you’re all winners for all that you do for BGSU.”

Rhonda Hogrefe, human resources, and her son Alex were both recipients of Classified Staff Council scholarships. Both are sophomores, she in Advanced Technology Education and he in architecture.

Also presented at the awards ceremony were 18, $250 Classified Staff Council scholarships, given to employees who are enrolled in degree programs as well as classified staff spouses and dependents. In one case, a mother and son—Rhonda and Alex Hogrefe—each received a scholarship.

The employee recipients were: Peg Bucksky, Career Center; Kerry Foster, Office of the Executive Vice President; Vicki Hillis, BGSU Firelands; Hogrefe, human resources; Lee Ann Koenigbauer, registration and records; Sara McLaughlin, Counseling Center; Pamela Sautter, Student Recreation Center; Marcia Seubert, mathematics and statistics; Lisa Tatham, Jerome Library, and Karen Williams, management. Eight dependents also received scholarships.

The ceremony ended with the passing of the gavel to incoming CSC President Nancy Posey, whom McBride described as a “shining example of a new leader.” Posey, who first became a CSC member last year, participated in numerous committees and “volunteered way over the amount anyone could expect,” McBride said. Posey encouraged others to get involved as well, saying, “We need all the help we can get!”