Two NDSU staff members were among six state employees to receive 2012 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service. Janine Trowbridge, office manager for TRIO programs, and Diane Axness, academic assistant in the Department of Management and Marketing, were recognized Sept. 10 at a luncheon at the state capitol in Bismarck. The presentation was held to begin State Employee Recognition Week.
“North Dakota’s state employees are the best in the nation, and these six individuals recognized today represent the outstanding work that is performed by state employees every day across our state,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “We applaud them for their exemplary service to North Dakota and its citizens.”
Trowbridge was recognized in the Technical and Paraprofessional category. “News of the award caught me by surprise – what an honor,” she said. “I am fortunate to work with students who have big dreams and, without our services in TRIO programs, they wouldn’t have the support nor the resources necessary to make those dreams come true. I am equally fortunate to work with wonderful personnel at NDSU who make coming into the office each day a pleasure. The students are my inspiration while the staff is my motivation to become more; so this award is a reflection of all we do every day at NDSU. We strive for excellence and, together, we achieve it.”
Axness was honored in the Office Support category. “This really took me by surprise; I can’t express what a privilege it is to receive such an award,” Axness said. “To have the opportunity to work with amazing faculty in the Department of Management and Marketing and to provide support to NDSU students is truly rewarding. Every day, I find inspiration from our faculty and students. There have been so many opportunities at NDSU that have allowed me to grow both personally and professionally – NDSU truly is a place of excellence.”
Recipients are nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of judges who review and score the nominations. Nominees were rated on their overall job performance, contributions to their department, commitment to customer service, working relationships with fellow employees and involvement in the community.
Other recipients include Terry Whitmore, administrator of the Grand Forks Child Support Unit for the Department of Human Services; Cindy Bitz, customer service specialist and PRIDE coordinator with Job Service North Dakota in Minot; Marvin Hoff, an escort for the Department of Human Services at the State Hospital in Jamestown; and Ken Remmick, system mechanic with Facility Management, a division of the Office of Management and Budget, in Bismarck.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.
