Staff Senate
The University of Montana
Shelley Hiniker, President
(406) 243-6643
Kudos 2007-2008
A
Kristie Anderson
Printing and Graphic Services Business Manager
Kristie suggested re-doing a job that I wasn't satisfied with. It wasn't the print shop's fault, just a matter of miscommunication; however, when Kristie saw that I wasn't satisfied, she suggested the reprint, and the finished job was more to my satisfaction. She advised a new employee to do this, and she is a good teacher, helping him to learn the customer satisfaction end of the job, which is so important too. Thank you, Kristie, for going a step beyond and making me happy with the outcome.
Submitted by Renee Valley, Intercollegiate Athletics (9/27/07)
B
Vanetta Burton
Administrative Associate, Montana Coop. Wildlife Research Unit
Vanetta is the Administrative Associate for the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, but more importantly she is its heart and soul. Nobody could do more to assist the scientists, students, and cooperators than what Vanetta does every day. Motivated by both an unrelenting commitment to the excellence of the Unit and genuine caring for all the people involved in its mission, Vanetta is the go-to person for nearly everything that contributes to our success, including administration, logistics, vehicle management, a sympathetic ear, and help finding the bathroom. Recently Vanetta has gone above and beyond to help both the Unit and Wildlife Program at UM put their best foot forward by developing both hard-copy and email versions of annual reports that will assist greatly in keeping cooperators, agencies, and donors abreast of all the great work going on in our programs. In taking care of so much, from the needs of a graduate student trying to make things happen to the promotion of entire academic and research programs, we suspect few people do more to contribute to the success of the University of Montana than Vanetta. An "atta-girl" is scarcely enough, but well deserved.
Submitted by Mike Mitchell & Tom Martin, Montana Coop. Wildlife Research Unit (11/7/07)
D
Betsy Dalessio
Media Information Coordinator, Mansfield Library
Betsy has the daunting task of helping to coordinate meeting times for the search committee of the associate provost for graduate studies and phone interviews with each candidate along with setting up the candidates' itineraries for their campus visits. She has been working on this special project for months, yet she has remained helpful and pleasant. She is very friendly every time I come by for a meeting or interview. Thanks, Betsy, for your coordination efforts and friendliness and making me feel welcome each time I walk into the office.
Submitted by Renee Valley, Athletic Dept. (4/11/08)
Daniel Dauterive
Media Programmer, PART
Danny is always ready and willing to help out in any area of our operation. Whether covering the front office when he is needed or going to the top of Big Sky Mountain to help out the engineer, he is always willing to lend a hand. And he doesn't expect anything in return. He's just a nice guy, and his help is much appreciated.
Submitted by Sue Ginn, Broadcast Media Center (7/23/07)
Kenny Dow
Assistant Marketing Director, Athletic Department
Kenny is a joy to work with. He has a great attitude and continues it even when the stress levels are high in the Athletic Dept. Recently Kenny was given a daunting task to update an entire trophy case in just two days, and he finished it a day early! It looks good and will be an asset to the main office when all the alumni come back for Homecoming. That is what I call going above and beyond the call of duty, Kenny.
Submitted by Renee Valley, Athletic Dept. (9/27/07)
G
Chris Geraghty
Web Developer, Bookstore
Chris deserves KUDOS for doing such a great job on the Montana Grizzlies website. Thank you for keeping us up to date on all the sports and our athletes. Thanks to Chris, people all over the world can come to montanagrizzlies.com and learn about anything there is to know about athletics here at The University of Montana. His hard work will never go unnoticed.
Submitted by Morgan Samardich, Student, Accounting (12/7/07)
Teri Gruba
Financial Aid Specialist, Financial Aid
During a recent difficult advising situation of a student in need of funds because of no financial support or belief in education from the parents, I contacted Terri for any possible means of help or resources to assist this student. The student is bright; hardworking—works to pay for school; eager to get an education; plays an active role in learning the University's requirements; and has a genuine passion to learn and succeed. I felt strongly she deserved a chance to do well and wanted to get her help. At any rate, we all know how busy things on this campus are for everyone working, but without question, Terri stopped what she was doing and helped us work through this dilemma in a very comforting, understanding environment. I am so extremely grateful for her help in making the difference in this student's life and her experience. Sometimes all it takes to lift the spirit is one helping hand. What a wonderful and positive feeling to work next door to such an amazing and helpful person! Thanks, Terri!
Submitted by Jennifer Zellmer-Cuaresma, Undergraduate Advising Center (2/22/08)
H
Kathy Howard
Custodian, Dining Services
Kathy is the custodian for our office, actually an employee of Dining Services. Recently our roof was redone; however, they had not finished the sealing when the big rains hit about four weeks ago. So, when Kathy came into clean on Sunday, she found that part of the ceiling had collapsed on my desk and the empty one next to me. No one has ever accused me of having a neat and tidy desk, so she spent over three hours trying to clean things up. This included setting the six pairs of shoes from under the desk out to dry. She really went above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks so much!
Submitted by Jone Hayes, Human Resource Services (10/3/07)
Colleen Hoffman
Administrative Associate, VP Research and Development
Colleen orgnaized the 2007 Staff Senate Homecoming raffle, set up the table in the UC daily for four days, and came to collect everything each day when we were finished. She solicitated prizes, kept track of all the prizes, and the workers at the table. Although this was a team effort by many senators, Colleen did the lion's share of the work, and she is no longer a senator! She went above and beyond the call of duty, and I feel if she hadn't organized this raffle, we might not have had one this year. Thanks, Colleen, for all the work you do for staff.
Submitted by Renee Valley, Athletic Department (9/27/07)
Becky Hofstad and Spectral Fusion
Computer Programmer
Thanks to Becky Hofstad and her wonderful staff at Spectral Fusion, Staff Senate now has this beautiful web site. They listened to our ideas about what we wanted and came up with a site we are all proud of. Becky and her staff at Spectral Fusion all went above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you all again!
Submitted by Communication-Visibility Committee (4/3/08)
K
Teressa Keenan
Mansfield Library, Library Tech
Teressa went above and beyond the call of duty by volunteering to help me with the Staff Senate web site. With her technological expertise and patience, she helped as we transitioned from one server and back again! She is able to do the web work that I can't. Teressa, I'm glad you're on our team, and you are a real positive addition to Staff Senate and the web site.
Submitted by Renee Valley, Athletics (2/8/08)
Glenn Kneebone
Mansfield Library, Copy Center
Glenn is a full time staff member in the Mansfield Library, Copy Center , who ALWAYS takes the extra step to make sure the customers are receiving exactly what they want and helping them with their technical problems. On top of his wonderful efforts at work, Glenn is also a volunteer in the International Peer Assistance Program. Through this program he has given countless hours of time to make his new international friend feel welcome in Missoula and in the US . He has gained the friendship and respect of more than the one person assigned to him and currently has a number of international students depending on him for information, advice and friendship. If we all were even half as welcoming and helpful as Glenn, the University and the community would gain tremendously in popularity and respect throughout the world.
Submitted by Patricia Collins, Mansfield Library (11/9/07)
L
Marian Lankston
Library Tech, Mansfield Library Government Documents
Ms. Lankston was a great mentor for me when I was applying for a staff position at Mansfield Library – a position I was offered and accepted! She is also a great asset to the library staff.
Submitted by Mark Peterson, Mansfield Library Acquisitions (2/12/08)
M
Aaron Murrish
Admin. Associate, Campus Recreation
He always has an answer for all my questions, and he works really hard. He's just really good at his job and always a big help to everyone in our department!
Submitted by Natalie Hiller, Intramurals Manager/Special Events Coor. (2/14/08)
S
Shannon Sivertsen
Administrative Associate, Liberal Studies Program and Philosophy Dept.
Shannon is perfect for her job as Academic Advisor for the Liberal Studies Program. She has been with the department(s) for almost a year and a half and has established so many positive and productive relationships with Liberal Studies majors. She goes above and beyond in helping each one of her advisees, and as her supervisor I regularly hear comments from students that Shannon is the best advisor they have worked with. Shannon has established an excellent reputation for herself in the short time she has been here. The University is lucky to have her as an academic advisor!
Submitted by Jamie Sindelar, Admin. Assoc. II, Philosophy Dept. (7/12/07)
Kathleen Spritzer
Fiscal Officer, SOBA
I would like to give Kudos to Kathleen Spritzer, Fiscal Officer in the School of Business Administration for providing fantastic service to its faculty “customers”. Every time I go to her with an unusual request, like “please pay my fee for this international conference which wants euros and accepts only checks”, she finds an effective and efficient way to solve it. She always smiles and she’s always ready to help, no matter how busy she is. I love my job because I have people like Kathleen to help me do it! Thanks Kathleen!
Submitted by Simona Stan, Assistant Professor of Marketing (11/17/07)
Rhonda Stoddard
Admin. Assoc., NSF EPSCoR
Rhonda took much of her own personal time at lunch and after work for several weeks to guide me through the intimidating steps and paperwork of my Career Ladder. Because of Rhonda, I successfully rewrote my job description and was eventually given my new title of administrative associate III in the physical therapy department. Rhonda is a compassionate coworker and is very knowledgeable about human resources policies and procedures and staff compensation.
Rhonda is someone I can go to for help and support, personally and professionally. She always extends herself to her coworkers and peers, is an active listener, provides feedback and practical solutions for work and life situations and is one of the kindest people I have ever met.
Submitted by Wendy Woollett, Admin. Assoc., Physical Therapy (4/30/07)
V
Renee Valley
Media Editor, Sports Information Department
Renee is a great boss! She never gets mad when I make a mistake and complements on the work that I do.
Submitted by Morgan Samardich, Soph., Business Administration (4/25/07)
And another...
Renee has been a dedicated member of our Athletic staff for many years. Her commitment to detail and her understanding of advertising go above and beyond the normal call of duty. Renee is always there with a warm hello and a smile to hlep anyone she can. Thank you, Renee!
Submitted by Pam Erickson, Athletic Department (7/16/07)
And another...
Renee Valley is a model employee for The University of Montana. During the many years she has been on campus, she has always strongly supported the mission of the Department of Athletics. She is one of the most enthusiastic Griz fans on campus, and that takes some doing! She attends every game and cheers on the tream in her wonderful positive way.
Renee performs her responsibilities in the media relations department superbly. She is always friendly, always helpful, and always efficient. The Graduate School has had occasions in the past where we have needed help in getting information and photos that we needed for promotions that we do. Renee responds immediately to any request that we've had. With a smile in her voice, she makes you feel that helping you is the only thing she has on her plate at that time.
Renee is always involved in MPEA or Staff Senate. There has never been a time she's been here that she hasn't worked to promote UM staff. She comes up with creative ideas – Staff Nights at the Griz and Lady Griz basketball games were her idea. She not only comes up with creative ideas, she is always the first one to volunteer to help.
The Athletic Department is extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated employee. Thank you, Renee, for all that you do. You are an inspiration to many people.
Submitted by Mary Kamensky, Admin. Officer, Graduate School (12/7/07)
NANCY VATOUSSI
Administrative Associate, School of Business
In the School of Business Administration we have a superb lady known as a “go to” person. In terms of students and student questions Nancy Vatoussi is always available and always friendly to help guide students to the appropriate class, professor, or advisor. The School’s “Students First” policy is carried out through her willingness and her continued professional conduct.
Nancy, the leader in our reception area, carries on her multitude of job related duties while establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the wide range of UM personnel, faculty, as well as the general public and outside agencies. She helps me succeed in my position as Special Program Coordinator. Without her and her student assistants I could not achieve my goals.
Kudos to Nancy for being part of the SoBA success team!
Submitted by Larae Hackney, Special Programs Coord., School of Business (8/15/08)
W
Sarah Weatherby
Administrative Associate, School of Business
In the School of Business Administration we have a superb lady known as a “go to” person. In terms of students and student questions Sarah Weatherby is always available and always friendly to help guide students to the appropriate class, professor, or advisor. The School’s “Students First” policy is carried out through her willingness and her continued professional conduct.
Sarah, a faculty assistant, carries on her multitude of job related duties while establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the wide range of UM personnel, faculty, as well as the general public and outside agencies. She helps me succeed in my position as Special Program Coordinator. Without her and her student assistants I could not achieve my goals.
Kudos to Sarah for being part of the SoBA success team!
Submitted by Larae Hackney, Special Programs Coord., School of Business (8/15/08)
