NDSU employees were honored for years of service and excellence on the job during the 23rd annual NDSU Staff Recognition Luncheon on April 12.
A total of 232 employees with five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service, along with 15 retirees, were recognized.
Receiving Employee Recognition Awards in the professional band were Lois Christianson, equal opportunity specialist in the office of the vice president for equity, diversity and global outreach; Tammi Neville, animal care and use coordinator with agriculture extension; and Shana Pederson, assistant pulse crop breeder with agriculture extension.
Aaron Carlson, research technician with extension plant pathology, and Carol Enno, nutrition education assistant with extension food and nutrition, were honored as the technical recipients.
Peggy Cossette, assistant to the dean of human development and education, and Hope Eppler, administrative secretary with extension food and nutrition, were honored in the office support band.
The crafts/trades recipient was Bob Barclay, heating plant manager, and the service recipient was Deb Knapper, custodian supervisor, both with facilities management.
The 2011 Team Award went to the Back on TRAC Team comprised of Jeremy Adelman, Courtney Barstad, Sarah Dodd, Emily Frazier, Kyle Haiman, Jody Jahner, Bill Vandal and Nona Wood.
As described on the Century Council website, Back on TRAC (Treatment, Responsibility and Accountability on Campus) is a national initiative that offers an institution a collaborative methodology for redesigning its programming so that it can systematically, holistically and effectively intervene when a student's repeated pattern of substance abuse has undermined his/her emotional, physical and academic well-being. NDSU is one of six Back on TRAC pilot programs. Other universities include Texas A&M; University of Nevada, Reno; Oklahoma State University; Northwestern University and University of Georgia.
President Dean L. Bresciani made some comments during the celebration. “One of, if not the highest honor, that a president of any university can have is addressing a group at an awards ceremony like the one we are having today, because you are critical to what we are and who we are and what we are recognized for.”
Bresciani said the group being recognized contributed roughly 3,060 years of combined service to NDSU. “I could not be more honored and more privileged to introduce this program and be personally here to thank you for everything you have done for NDSU, the State of North Dakota and for our country.”
Awards were presented by Craig Schnell, provost and vice president for academic affairs; D.C. Coston, vice president for agriculture and university extension; Evie Myers, vice president for equity, diversity and global outreach; Bruce Bollinger, vice president for finance and administration; Phil Boudjouk, vice president for research, creative activities and technology transfer; Prakash Mathew, vice president for student affairs; Laura McDaniel, assistant vice president for university relations; and Kris Mickelson, president of Staff Senate.
Matt Skoy, assistant director for services learning and civic engagement in the Memorial Union, was the master of ceremonies.
