SPOKANE Sandi Baldwin, principal assistant for Facilities Operations and Gretchen Eaker, fiscal supervisor for the Finance and Budget Department were selected by their peers for the 2007-2008 Employee Excellence Awards.
“There is no favoritism in how she responds to othersshe treats everyone with trust and respect,” said Carolyn Losh, WSU Spokane mail services lead.
“People go to Sandi for everything from complaints, requests, advice, a funny story, or just an ear to listenshe’s always there,” said Joel Lohr, maintenance specialist with Facilities Operations. “She has been given the nickname ‘Office Mom’ for good reason.”
“She puts everything together, coordinates issues, and has good foresight as to what’s needed,” said Al Pignataro, WSU Spokane security sergeant.
“You never see Sandi in the limelight, because she never advertises when she does great things,” said Dennis Snider, utility worker with Facilities Operations. “They just happen, you don’t know how they happened, but you suspect she had something to do with it.”
When asked how Baldwin felt about receiving the award, she replied “It was such a great honor to receive the award and to share the stage with Gretchen whom I have the fortune of working with on a daily basis. I feel my recognition is due to the responsiveness, work ethic and proficiency of my ‘office kids’ so that made it even more special. I want to thank everyone involved with my nomination and selection of this award.”
“Even if it is outside the scope of the norm, she always finds a way to assist in meeting departments’ needs,” said Joanna Moznette, program coordinator for MESA. “Gretchen always has an up-beat and positive attitude and is easy to approach with questions and concerns.
“Gretchen is always going above and beyond what is expected of her,” said Virginia Moran, fiscal technician for the Finance and Budget Department. “She takes pride in her work and the University as a wholeand it shows in all that she does.”
She is truly an incredible asset to the campus and an ambassador for Washington State University both on and off campus,” said Pam Medley, principal assistant for the Interdisciplinary Design Institute.
When asked how Eaker felt about receiving the award, she replied, “I am humbled to receive this award. I enjoy being a reference point and to share information with those around me every day. Knowing folks have the information necessary to perform their jobs without pause, is my personal reward. I would like to thank the individuals involved in the award process for their time and also to STCU for their generosity.”
Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) sponsored the annual award, which was presented at the WSU Spokane Fall Kickoff. Baldwin and Eaker each received an engraved plaque, an STCU gift basket and a check for $1,500.
For more information, visit
www.spokane.wsu.edu