Has a UTC employee gone the extra mile to help you?
You can show your appreciation by nominating that person for the Blue Ribbon
Award. A committee appointed by the chancellor will select monthly an award
winner who exhibits outstanding service to others. Nominations should be specific
in identifying incidents or situations that show the nominee has served his/her
customers with special distinction.
If you have a nominee to be considered at an upcoming meeting, please e-mail
your nomination to Melanie Sadler (Melanie-Sadler@utc.edu), Human Resources Administrative Assistant, or mail to Dept. 3603.
All non-faculty staff (full or part-time) with at least one year's regular service
are eligible for the award. Any UTC faculty, staff, student, alumnus, or member
of the community are invited to submit nominations.
Blue Ribbon Winners, 2012
January
LaWaunda January, Administrative Support Assistant at WUTC radio station “exhibits exemplary courtesy and helpfulness each day. She is Administrative Assistant to Robin Higgins and performs a yeoman’s job in that capacity. Her job involves tracking and reporting membership financial pledges – which require accuracy and thoroughness,” according to Helen Walker, Development Associate for WUTC. Though she is not a receptionist, January responds pleasantly when visitors arrive at the radio station. She plays a key role in training and coordinating the many Membership Campaign volunteers who come to WUTC during the drives twice each year. She schedules, welcomes, answers questions, and contributes to the vitally important ambience and integration that inspires the volunteers to return year after year. She also assists with training and orientation of student interns. “When I began work as Ken Dryden’s Assistant, LaWaunda … introduced me to the campus mail system, security protocol, and helped with computer issues which would have necessitated a call to IT. This on-site orientation was invaluable,” Walker said.
February
Ellie Wallis, Program Resource Specialist, STEM Challenger Center, demonstrates true understanding, real empathy for the customers, and a dedication to making sure the customers are satisfied, according to Racheal De'Friese, Micronaut Program Coordinator & Flight Director at the STEM Challenger Center. “I witnessed a few months ago, a customer who wanted to have her child's birthday party here. The mother stated she would love to have the party here but couldn't afford it. Ellie was heartbroken that the little boy couldn't have his dream party here. Ellie got their address and mailed the little boy some Challenger and NASA stickers, pencils, and other small trinkets to wish him a happy birthday. The mother and her family and friends were so impressed by Ellie's kindness, that they joined together to raise the money and scheduled a mission birthday party for this little boy! I was the Flight Director in charge of that party and they were in awe of Ellie and her great customer service. A guest from that party scheduled their little boy's birthday party two weeks later!” De'Friese said. When school groups visit, Wallis schedules the entire visit. All the teacher needs to do is “show up with the check in hand. They appreciate how easy and stress free Ellie makes planning a field trip,” De'Friese
explained. Many of the children who attend summer camp at the STEM Challenger Center know Ellie by name. “When they come here for a field trip, during the school year, their eyes light up as soon as they see Ellie. Ellie is here 200% for UTC, for the Challenger Center, for the customers, and most importantly for the children,” De'Friese said.
