SPOKANE Two individuals, noted for their inspiration to others and their passion for WSU, received the 2008 Employee Excellence Awards in recognition for their outstanding contributions to the WSU Spokane campus and the greater Spokane community.Bob Scharff, utility worker for Facilities Operations and Luke Rice, advance practice experience coordinator for the College of Pharmacy were both nominated and selected by their peers for the Civil Service Staff Excellence Award and the Administrative Professional Staff Excellence Award respectively.
Scharff, who has been with WSU Spokane for nearly six years, is noted by his nominators as one of the hardest working, non-stop individuals on the Riverpoint Campus whose hard working attitude has made an impact and served as an inspiration to those around him. Not only is he credited for his hard work at making the campus look beautiful, but he is also noted for making time in his busy schedule to help out many people in the community at large through various building and renovation projects.
“Bob displays a tireless effort toward projects on and off campus,” said Joel Lohr, maintenance specialist for Facilities Operations. “He is practically everywhere at the same time, doing whatever it takes to get the job done and always with a welcome smile and a hearty laugh.”
In response to receiving this award, Scharff said, “I do believe this award is deserved by so many WSU Spokane employees. This is a campus full of caring people who work together with pride and integrity to make it a highly respected education center. I am very honored to receive this award and to be a part of such a wonderful atmosphere. Thank you to the University and all the employees here for letting me be of service.”
Rice, a graduate of WSU and former linebacker for the Cougs, has been an employee for WSU since March of 2003. He is noted as an integral member to the team who is continually praised for his communication abilities, confidence and calm manner. His colleagues also drew attention to his character, integrity and work ethic as being second to nonea “Cougar” through and through who is passionate about WSU’s mission and is committed to the University.
“We know he loves what he does by the way he dedicates himself to his work and approaches every day with a sense of purpose,” said Linda Garrelts MacLean, chair for Pharmacotherapy at WSU Spokane. “He exemplifies what it means to be an excellent employee and an ambassador to Washington State University.”
In response to receiving this award, Rice said, “I’m very humbled to have received this recognition for my efforts, but ultimately this is a team award and I owe all my gratitude and appreciate to them. Without their support and guidance I would not be able to effectively complete the job I’ve been called to do. Special thanks to Dr. Danial Baker, Linda Garrelts-Maclean, Joyce Harbison, Terri Rothwell, Brenda Bray, Dr. Lisa Woodard, Dr. Mark Garrison, Sue Wright and everyone else who make up our team. We have something special in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and I feel honored to be a part of it. Also special thanks to my wife Jaime and daughter Crimson who support all my endeavors and keep me grounded.”
Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) sponsored the awards, which were presented at the WSU Spokane Spring Kickoff by Traci Bouslaugh, assistant manager for STCU’s Riverpoint Campus Branch. Scharff and Rice each received an engraved plaque, an STCU gift basket and a check for $1,500.
