SPOKANE,
Jeanie Smith, principal assistant for the Cooperative Academic Library Service at WSU Spokane, received the Classified Staff Excellence Award. Co-workers cite Smith’s competence in her many duties and her amiable personality as reasons why she should receive the award. “As the senior member of the staff at CALS, Jeannie is the institutional memory, and in many respects, the heart and soul of the library at WSU Spokane,” said David Buxton, a staff member who nominated Smith.
Smith graduated from
Barb Chamberlain, MPA, director of communications and public affairs, received the Administrative/Professional Staff Excellence Award. Chamberlain has been with WSU Spokane since 1998. Prior to joining WSU Spokane, Chamberlain owned PageWorksInk, an editing and production company; served in the Idaho Legislature for four years; and was vice president of Melior Publications and FuturePast: The History Company, a Spokane-based history publishing and consulting firm.
She holds bachelor’s degrees in English and linguistics from WSU and a master’s degree in public administration from EWU. She is currently working toward a doctorate in political science from WSU. Chamberlain serves on a number of boards and committees in the community.
Nominators agreed on her abilities to spark new ideas and her dedicated work ethic. “In the years she has worked here, I think she has dramatically increased WSU Spokane’s visibility in the community,” said Sicco Rood, a nominator for the award.
The WSU Spokane Employee Excellence Award carries a $1,000 award and is supported by PEMCO Insurance. Recipients are nominated by co-workers and are chosen for their quality of work and contributions to their work environment and the larger community.
