Winners of 2020 Safety Health and Security presidential awards

By Communications staff, Washington State University
Individual closeups of Facility Services Custodial employees.
Facilities Services Custodial staff members were recognized during the 2020 Safety, Health and Security Fair.

Four individuals as well as the entirety of the Facilities Services Custodial staff were recipients of presidential awards as part of this year’s Safety, Health and Security Fair.

Fair organizers received more than 60 nominations for presidential awards ahead of this year’s event, which was hosted virtually from Oct. 19 through Oct. 23.

Presidential awards acknowledge the achievements and contributions of WSU faculty, staff and students who help make the university a safer place as well as foster and promote safety, health and security.

BreeAnne Peterson, a scientific assistant who serves as the safety chair within Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, was this year’s Presidential Safety Award winner in recognition of her efforts to keep the department’s labs safe and compliant with safety regulations.

The Presidential Security Award was given to Tim Taylor and David Savage. Taylor was honored for his diligence in providing innovative security solutions on several campuses amid the COVID‑19 pandemic. Savage received recognition for his work building protective barriers to combat the spread of COVID‑19.

Robert Yarbough, a researcher in the Institute of Biological Chemistry, received the Presidential Health Award for his organization of fitness and healthcare for members of the Pullman community. He received seven nominations for this year’s awards.

The other winners of this year’s health award were every employee of Facility Services Custodial for their considerable efforts in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Eight additional employees received special recognition for their service to the university:

  • Bill Gardner, associate vice president and executive director of public safety
  • Bonnie de Vries, medical director, Cougar Health Services
  • Craig Cole, director of construction services
  • Jason Sampson, assistant director, Environmental Health and Safety
  • Levi O’Loughlin, assistant director for research safety and university biosafety officer
  • Roy Senter, commissioning engineer, McKinstry
  • Sarah Blatner, WSU Pullman campus emergency manager
  • Shawn Ringo, assistant director, Environmental Health and Safety

More information about the 2020 Safety, Health and Security Fair can be found online.

Next Story

Students design outdoor story walk for Keller schools

A group of WSU landscape architecture students is gaining hands‑on experience by designing an outdoor classroom with members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation.
By Communications staff, Washington State University

Recent News

E-tongue can detect white wine spoilage before humans can

While bearing little physical resemblance to its namesake, the strand-like sensory probes of the “e-tongue” still outperformed human senses when detecting contaminated wine in a recent WSU-led study.
By Sara Zaske, WSU News & Media Relations

Provost selection process ongoing

WSU expects to name its next provost before the end of April. President Kirk Schulz is actively considering two finalists, with feedback provided by the university community being a key factor in the decision.
By RJ Wolcott, WSU News & Media Relations

Employee Assistance Program hosts special sessions, April 17

Washington State Employee Assistance Program Director Jennifer Nguyen will lead two discussions tomorrow on the topics of change and personal wellbeing. Both presentations will be livestreamed.
By Communications staff, Washington State University