Employees Honored at Luncheon

NMU faculty and staff were recognized at an April 10 luncheon for reaching retirement or various years-of-service milestones. Their names are listed in Achievements. Awards were also presented for excellence in service, distinguished team service, and effective use of technology by staff.

Recipients of the 2006 Excellence in Service Awards, who earned a plaque and a $1,000 check, are pictured with President Les Wong. They are (bottom row left to right): Kathryn Dawe (Registrar), credited for her role in analyzing and coordinating changes to individual academic records, overseeing security requirements, testing and reviewing data, testing and implementing changes that would increase business efficiency and accuracy, and training department staff on the use of Banner software; Terry Johnson (Nursing), recognized for her involvement with her school's online student assessment mechanism, the reorganization of its admission process, enhancements to its Web site, and assistance with its online testing service; (top row) David Bonsall (Student Activities and Leadership Programs), nominated for his leadership qualities and involvement with Academic Service Learning, the Student Leader Fellowship Program, and Superior Edge; Brian Larson (AdIT), nominated for his role in the Banner conversion, which occurred in 18 months instead of the average two to three-year average, and his contributions to the Parent Partnership newsletter and the online student verification of enrollment systems interacting with Banner; and Eric Smith (Learning Resources Division), credited with successfully guiding the public broadcasting stations through a turbulent period of budget and staff reductions, and expanding their role in the academic mission of the university. Not pictured is Kristen Rasmussen (Admissions), recognized for enhancing admissions' automation capabilities to improve communications with prospective students, enhance coordination with high school counselors, improve follow-up with campus visitors, and improve the registration and processing for scholarship competitions.

TLC Staff Award recipients pictured with President Les Wong are (bottom row from left): Kim Rotundo, Cheryl Andrews, Judy Hopper and Janice Crawford. Top row from left: Eric Johnson, Annette Brown, Kevin Goethe, Brian Larson and Tony Bertucci. Not pictured are Chris Lewis, Michelle Ranta and Roxin Zhang.

The TLC Staff Awards recognize exemplary staff use and support of laptops and/or associated technologies in the areas of teaching or university business practices. Individuals involved in two projects were selected for the awards. “Improving the Student Teaching Application and Evaluation Process” involved Annette Brown (College of Business), Brian Larson (AdIT) and Eric Johnson (Communications and Marketing). They automated all student teaching evaluation and placement forms, which in turn has improved the grading, programming, processing, and accreditation processes.

“Automating Orientation” was led by Kim Rotundo (Housing and Residence Life) and Tony Bertucci (AdIT). Cheryl Andrews (AdIT), Janice Crawford (AdIT), Kevin Goethe (AdIT), Judy Hopper (AdIT), Brian Larson (AdIT), Chris Lewis (AIS), Michelle Ranta (AIS) and Roxin Zhang (Mathematics and Computer Science) also assisted. This project automated summer orientation by outfitting participants with laptops to use during their time on campus.

The Distinguished Team Service Award was presented to the Superior Edge Task Force for its work in developing the new initiative, which is now in the pilot phase. The task force is comprised of faculty, staff and students. Members pictured with Wong are (bottom row from left): Brian Cherry (Political Science), Kathleen Thompson (Nursing), Francella Quinnell (Psychology), Anne Stark (Communications and Marketing), and NMU students Sara Barclay and Allie Mundell; (top row) David Bonsall (Student Activities and Leadership Programs), Helen "Bitsy" Wedin (Nursing), Carolyn Lowe (Education), Ronald Sundell (Geography), John Frick (JOBSearch Center), Rachel Harris (SALP), student Kevin Duby and Cara Kamps (SALP).

Other members not pictured are: Michael Andary (Occupational Studies), Paul Duby (Institutional Research), Robert Fleming (College of Business), Charles Ganzert (CAPS), student Aaron Jorbin, Robert Kulisheck (Political Science), Kevin McDonough (AIS), Walter Niebauer (CAPS), student Betsy Ott, Mary Pelton-Cooper (Psychology), Sandra Poindexter (College of Business), student Jennifer Schingeck, and John Vickers (Military Science).