Staff Senate
The University of Montana
Shelley Hiniker, President
(406) 243-6643
Kudos Archive
F
Stacey Farnes
Athletic Director Assistant, Athletic Department
From Homecoming to Halloween, Stacey, along with Allison Bender of Athletic Marketing, comes up with some great ideas for the department to come together as a “team.” They had such a great idea for our Homecoming department display, that we won first place on campus. Also, on Halloween we had a costume contest, and everyone voted on the best two contests. It was fun.
Working in the Athletic Department can be very intense and stressful; therefore, Stacey is helping to get us folks to “lighten” up once in awhile and have some fun. Thanks, Stacey, for the great ideas and keeping us together here in the department!
Submitted by Renee Valley, Sports Information Media Editor
Daphne Felker
Computer Support Technician, Career Services
I was thoroughly impressed with my first visit to Career Services. With an internship application due within a few hours and never having touched the Griz E-Recruiting program prior to that day, I was in a bit of a panic. Fortunately Daphne Felker was there. Daphne's professional and helpful attitude immediately calmed my nerves. She waited patiently and assured all of us who were rushing to finish applications that she would stay until they were complete--even past closing hours. Daphne is truly an asset to the UM students. Thank you, Daphne!
Submitted by Lisa Graef, Business student
Kadeenah Fleming
Assistant Director, Montana State Science Fair
The Montana State Science Fair is a major undertaking and has approximately 500 -sometimes more- high school and junior high science exhibits. Without Kadeenah's dedication and organizational skills this event would not be a success, and we would be spending many extra hours working. The Dept. of Computer Science and the University of Montana is very lucky to have her as an employee.
Submitted by Kathy Reeves, Computer Science Administrative Assistant and Graduate Program secretary
Karen Franceschina
Administrative Coordinator, Office of Experiential Education
As Administrative Coordinator for the Office of Experiential Education in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy, Karen interfaces with each of our 250 pharmacy students. She collects and maintains information on all of our students and preceptors, prepares all written materials for the students' clinical experiences, and prepares a bi-weekly newsletter for our off-campus students, along with other duties.
We have just come through a very hectic end of the semester period of getting our May grads finished up and preparing for the placement of approximately 150 students during summer 2006, complicated by my being out of the office off and on during this time. Karen has worked extremely hard, interacting courteously with our students, accurately preparing forms, manuals and mailings, meeting deadlines, all while maintaining her calm, friendly demeanor. I appreciate her hard work and dedication to our program.
Submitted by Gayle Hudgins Cochran, Pharmacy Practice Faculty
Alan Fugelberg
Media Specialist, Rural Institute-AIDTAC
Alan has used his background knowledge and compassion for American Indians with disabilities to increase their knowledge and ability to access resources and services. This has led to the increased communication and services between program providers and Native Americans, i.e., American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. He has built capacity through the writing of grant proposals, website development, teleconferences, training materials and personal communications.
Submitted by Julie Clay, Rural Institute-AIDTAC Administrator
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Rita Garland
Benefits Specialist, Human Resource Services
Every time I've called or emailed Rita with an insurance question, I've been amazed at her quick, personalized, accurate and thorough response. It's like having my own benefits expert right in my office, and she's always so friendly and willing to go the extra mile. Rita is an amazing asset to HRS!
Submitted by Kim, Social Work Graduate Student
Chris Geraghty
Assistant Sports Information Director, Athletic Department
Chris is always willing to go the extra mile anytime, including evenings and weekends, to help make the UM Athletic Department's Web site - www.montanagrizzlies.com - the best in the Big Sky.
Submitted by Scott Miller, UC Bookstore
Jana Gerard
Admissions Evaluator, Enrollment Services
During the Montana Public Radio fundraiser the KUFM staff works extra hours. The fundraiser lasts for nine days and is exhilarating and exhausting. I asked Jana to help enter pledges during the public radio fundraiser April 1-9. Sure she got paid overtime, but she came over every day after working a full day in Admissions and worked until 9:30 p.m. two different evenings, 7:00 or 8 p.m. the rest of the week.
Her professionalism is truly amazing...she was fast, dependable, and accurate in her data entry and never complained at all, even though I'm sure she was tired. She had no stake in getting the work done, but she wouldn't let me quit until they were all done. All together, three staff members entered more than 5,600 pledges into the database over nine days. That is an average of 622 pledges every day. Jana Gerard is the best!
Submitted by Sue Ginn, Accounting Associate, Broadcast Media Center
Desiree Gerner
Administrative Aide, Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
Desiree embodies all the qualities and characteristics to make positive contributions to the department of MCLL (Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures). She is extremely bright, creative, personable, witty, and engaging. Her work ethic and efficiency are unparalleled. Desiree always does whatever is necessary to assist faculty, staff, and students, and MCLL is lucky to have such a dedicated and energetic individual.
Submitted by Clary Loisel, Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures faculty
Pat Gibson
Administrative Associate, Facilities Services
Pat is the calm, friendly voice answering the line at the Work Order Desk even though most of the calls she receives are about problems or emergencies. Although we haven't met in person, I feel that we are friends, and you can never have enough of those. Thanks for all your patient help, Pat.
Submitted by Colleen Hoffman, Research and Development
The Grounds Crew
Kudos to the Grounds Crew for making campus look really great in time for the students' return. Awesome job to all of you. Thank you!
Submitted by Geoffrey Lake, Business Services
Terri Gruba
Financial Aid Specialist, Financial Aid Office
My work study student thought she had lost all of her financial aid and was told it would take two weeks to sort things out, if it was even possible. In the meantime she couldn’t come to work because she didn’t have a hire card. She went to see Terri Gruba who took her under her wing and straightened it out on the spot.
If Terri hadn’t been there for us, this student, who is currently living out of her car, may have been in a very dire situation. Terri not only saved this student so much grief, she saved our department from possibly losing a very able and wonderful assistant on whom we’ve come to depend over the last two years. Thank you so much Terri --we are in your debt!
Submitted by Wanda LaCroix, UM Radio-TV Department
