Five WSU staff members have been named recipients of the annual President’s Employee Excellence Awards. The awards recognize civil service and administrative professional staff for outstanding contributions regarding productivity of the unit; innovative problem solving; positive working relations; and community service.
The employees will receive recognition along with other annual WSU award winning faculty and staff at the Celebrating Excellence banquet March 27, part of the annual Showcase celebration of employee excellence and achievement.
The honorees are:
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* Jeanne Burritt, administrative manager, WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center.
After working on the Pullman campus for 26 years, Burritt accepted the challenge of the new position of administrative manager at the NWREC. As the center awaits a new director, she has assumed many of the director duties – as well as her own – in the past year.
Co-workers commend her for her hard work, firm yet fair expectations of others, trust in and encouragement of those she supervises, and gracious handling of a workload that has increased dramatically due to the NWREC’s rapid growth.
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* Cindy Kromm, office support supervisor 2, Housing and Dining financial services.
Kromm has worked at WSU 25 years. In supervising the cashiers and customer service operations for Housing and Dining financial services, she helps students understand their housing contracts and avoid difficulties from non-payment delinquencies. She recently helped lead her department through changes from a front-counter to online operation.
She established procedures and reconciliations – and developed partnerships across campus – for the Dining Services’ concession operation that opened last year.
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* Rebecca Morton, finance manager, Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology.
Morton is described as the genuine “go-to” person in VCAPP. She is commended by faculty for anticipating needs and solving problems before they even arise.
Her coordination of people and projects and ability to bring her team on board testify to her exceptional relations with co-workers. Her interest in students extends to her hosting international students in her home during the holidays.
She gives time and commitment to areas outside the office, including WSU’s Work-Life Committee and the Commission on the Status of Women.
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* Brian Shuffield, associate director, Student Involvement and Leadership Development.
As adviser to many student groups, Shuffield is described as a “guiding presence” whose skillful problem-solving and encouragement draw many new students into his department’s programs – and into leadership roles.
He is credited with much of the success that student events have enjoyed in the past few years: Springfest has grown from about 800 people to 6,000 in just three years; this year’s Up All Night and homecoming festivities were well-attended; and the Student Entertainment Board concerts all have sold out this year.
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* Barbara Smith, administrative manager, Entomology.
Smith’s skills at organization and efficiency are commended by her co-workers. At the same time, she is able to make each person feel his or her contributions are needed and valued.
She encourages others to better their situation through training opportunities, workshops and staff retreats. She is active on the safety committee for her department and she encourages and spearheads department involvement in college and universitywide activities such as food drives, Cougar Pride Days and more.
