Blue Ribbon Winners for 2002
December
Peggy Tucker of Engineering and Computer Science called Nelda Orth of the Bursar’s Office to work through a UTC student’s school account, and within a few hours, the student’s records were corrected, and she was happy to learn her college career was back on track. The student was not an engineering student, and she does not know Peggy personally. "She was more than gracious on the telephone and really went out of her way to calm me down and to assure me that everything would be okay. She helped me like I was a child of her own. If anyone deserves this award, it is Peggy," she said. Happy Holidays to our December Blue Ribbon winner.
November
We all hate to lose a lunch hour working through a honey-do list, and thanks to the efforts of Luis Leon, Paulette S. Guinn, a UTC graduate student in the MBA Program had one item eliminated from hers. All it took was a conversation about a letter lost in the mail that was supposed to reach the graduate office, and Luis took action. Although Paulette did not ask for help, Luis spoke with the graduate office and found out the information Paulette needed. He hand delivered the information to the Graduate Office for Paulette. "Correcting my problems is not in his job description. He went the extra mile," Paulette said. Luis Leon, savior of the lunch hour, man of action. Congratulations, Blue Ribbon Winner for November.
October
Linda Orth is very grateful for the extra efforts of Andrea Evans, Program Liaison within The Graduate School. "Andrea excels at customer service. She provides cheerful, professional service to students in the office and on the telephone," according to Orth, Director of the Graduate School. While performing her regular responsibilities Evans took over The Graduate School web site, making it an accurate instrument for current and prospective students. Not only did Evans initiate the practice of an informal review of graduating candidates, she also willingly assumed responsibility for the processing of student files in one of the major graduate programs. "It required a heroic effort to transition the program out of chaos into organized efficiency," Orth said. Congratulations to Andrea Evans, the October Blue Ribbon Award Recipient!
September
On-going compliance with the recommendations of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has required hard work from many at UTC. Susan Cardwell, Assistant to the Chancellor, especially thanks September Blue Ribbon Winner Barbara Verhine, administrative Aide to the Provost. "At a time when most of us have our ‘regular’ back-to-school for fall heavy workload, Barbara had the additional responsibilities of helping our new Provost, Dr. Friedl, to settle in while also taking on the SACS Follow-up Report. I don’t know how she did it, just that she did it with skill, grace under pressure, good humor and consummate dedication and loyalty to UTC," Cardwell said. Barbara’s colleague, Elizabeth Bailey also compliment’s Barbara’s work related to the Lupton Renaissance gift. "With the Lupton funds comes the need for spreadsheets and copying, and Barbara is processing these proposals with excellent accuracy, meeting quick deadlines, and always helping with a friendly attitude," Elizabeth said.
August
Associate Professor of Interior Design Jane Reagor believes Marcus Myers of the Walker Teaching Resource Center should have been given the Blue Ribbon Award a long time ago, because of all the help he has given to the Faculty Fellows, and in Reagor’s case, the students of a Faculty Fellow. Myers helped Reagor with senior web sites of interior design students. "The success that the students achieved during the first summer term would not have been possible without Marcus’ help. Marcus assisted me when I was one of the first Faculty Fellows, patiently answering my questions and working with me until I mastered what I was working on in the area of technology," Reagor said. Reagor also thanks Karen Adsit for helping with the class, and allowing her to borrow Marcus. "His expertise and patience in working with the students is exceptional," Reagor said. Congratulations to Marcus Myers, the August Blue Ribbon Award Recipient!
July
When Mayor Bob Corker came to campus to address the Departmental Awards Banquet for 120 students and their families in the Chemistry Department, Administrative Assistant Nancy Tolar made sure the event was a success, according to department faculty member Kyle Knight. "She spent hours making our printed program as elegant as it could be in these times of budget cuts. When our students came to receive the awards that they had won, they felt like UTC really went out of its way to recognize their achievements. This is the kind of recognition that spurs them on to greater things, " Knight said. When Knight submitted his Blue Ribbon nomination of Tolar, the entire Chemistry Department added their names in support. They talked about her positive attitude and her ability to keep the department running smoothly. Rob Mebane said it this way: "The last time I was taken care of this well was when I was growing up in my mother's house." Cheers for Nancy Tolar, the Blue Ribbon winner for July!
June
Three University employees wanted to see Jim Bowman, manager of the student computer labs, receive the Blue Ribbon Award for June. LeeAnne Viall, Admissions, said the Orientation Office uses one of Bowman's labs to allow students to register themselves online. "Never once has Jim complained about this intrusion; instead he opens his labs to us with a smile, and goes out of his way to make sure the equipment is running smoothly," Viall said. Cindy White of the College of Business Administration needed a presentation system setup during Spring Open House, and Bowman came to the rescue and even included an extra large monitor. "He could have just as easily said 'It's not my job' but he went the extra mile," White said. Lauren Coulter, English, says Bowman is always helpful and courteous. Last semester he was particularly helpful with Coulter's English 122 class, when they were assigned a project on the web that included multimedia elements. "Without Jim's assistance, their projects could never have been completed," Coulter said. Bowman also assisted Coulter with a portable cart of laptop computers for her students to use in class, and he provided well-trained students workers to trouble shoot a few technical glitches. Congratulations and thanks to Jim Bowman for all he does!
May
Wynne Clarke-Anderson, Director of Education at the Challenger Center, finally did something that she said she has been putting off for six months. She wants Barbara Webb, Help Desk, to be recognized for her service to UTC. Clarke-Anderson says Webb is not only cheerful, patient, and an expert in her field, but she also never fails to return phone calls and emails in a timely manner. She is known to work after hours to make sure that computer problems are solved, as well as teaching and sharing computer information with those she helps, which in Clarke-Anderson’s words, "makes us more efficient at our jobs." Josie Baudier also recognizes Webb for her competence and hard work, saying Webb set up seven computers in two days, and set up the computers at the Challenger Center months earlier than the staff there had anticipated. "Ms.Webb has always been professional every time she is in our offices," Baudier said.
April
Joyce Blevins, Cooperative Education, knew who her nominee for the Blue Ribbon Award would be on the morning of March 7th when she tripped and fell on the concrete outside Race Hall. Thomas Greene, Telecommunications, ran to her side to help in any way he could. After seeing that this was not a harmless fall, he ran back to his office and brought back a first aid kit. Blevins said that although Greene had never met her, he did not hesitate to assist her bleeding wounds. Cynthia Cash also had nothing but praise for Greene’s actions and felt that this act of kindness should be recognized. Blevins is very grateful for the help that Greene gave her that morning. "He could have just ignored the situation and walked on to his office. But he didn’t. Thank you Mr. Greene," Blevins said.
March
Dr. Dana Wertenberger, director and professor of the UTC School of Nursing, says if she could clone April Anderson whom she calls "an exceptional employee and an extraordinary individual," she would. During the two years Anderson has been administrative secretary in the School of Nursing, she has managed the workload of two secretaries on sick leave at different times. "In most instances, if you did not know what the additional load was, you would not be able to tell it from her demeanor, the accuracy of her work or the timeliness in which work has been produced," Wertenberger says. Additionally, Wertenberger says Anderson has given direction to work study students, and she developed a set of spread sheets with information on students, clinical sites and faculty that are now on a School of Nursing Intranet. The spread sheets save faculty members time when they are trying to solve student problems, Wertenberger says.
February
Kimberly Manning, Young Alumni Council Co-Chair, salutes Chief Dale "Mac" McNeely for going above and beyond his duties during the Homecoming tradition of carrying the game football from Chamberlain Field to Finley Stadium, better known as the Homecoming Touchdown Run. Manning says Mac takes the job of protecting the relay runners seriously, as they carry the ball off campus and onto public streets. "He didn't have to give up his Saturdays to escort us through campus and ensure that our run went smoothly, but he did. He didn't have to personally escort us to Finley Stadium, but he did. Chief McNeely probably would not even consider his service to be outstanding, but to us, it was outstanding service to UTC and the community, making the lives of others easier and much safer," Manning said.
January
The University community thanks Warren "Cooter" Simpson, facilities, planning and management for his work in helping pull together a campus ecumenical prayer observance following the tragic events of September 11. He researched the appropriate hymns that could be played on the carillon, operated it for the service and assisted with the set up of the sound requirements. He also assisted with timing the carillon to play during the nationwide hour of prayer designated by government and University officials on Friday, September 14. By doing so, he gave up his own hour of commemoration to the benefit of the entire UTC community.
