STUDENT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR CEREMONY

Lamar University

Mary and John Gray Library 8th floor

March 21, 2012

Welcome

• Welcome to the Fourth Annual Student employee of the year ceremony. My name is Haley Tyson and I am a Career Consultant at the Career and Testing Center. Although, I have only had this particular program for about two months, I understand the importance of student employment from first hand experience.

• I experienced everything you are going through, the knowledge and skills you are gaining, networking opportunities, and the professional development you are receiving. I am now a professional staff member and know that my student employee position contributed to my overall development, not only as a professional but on a personal level as well. I am honored to take on this role, and I would like to thank my supervisors for believing in me to take on such an important program. Thank you Teresa Simpson and Deidra Mayer.

• I would first like to start off and thank everyone for attending.

• Student Employment is an integral piece of the dynamics of the Lamar University campus. The students who are employed on-campus learn invaluable skills and gain professionalism while being immersed into their campus and university culture. The Student Employee of the Year award highlights the accomplishments and outstanding service of those nominees on and off campus.

• Thank you to all of the supervisors who took time to nominate your students. No matter if you are faculty or staff, you are all true educators and mentors, promoting leadership skills and professional growth and development to your student workers daily.

• Additionally, your duty as supervisors and mentors are to train and grow productive citizens by providing an ethical, effective foundation and by reading the enthusiastic, heartfelt nomination letters, I know all of you do exactly that.

• The students that have been nominated mirror the type of employees that any organization, including Lamar University, would aspire to hire for future full-time employment. According to those letters, these students embody hard work, quality service, and devotion to their responsibilities, department and the Lamar University campus.

• This program’s success is because of all of you; the faculty, staff, and students who use our database to connect with each other for employment opportunities.

• These opportunities provide students with knowledge, professionalism and transferrable skills to take them to their next career. It’s not only about earning money, although that is a perk for a college student, but more about a sense of pride, achievement and self-confidence.

• Supervisors. You have all taken the time to acknowledge your student workers who exceed the norm. Who are achievers at their job, in their academics and in their accomplishments outside of the classroom. The Student Employee of the year award is to showcase these outstanding students and their amazing supervisors.

At this time I would like to acknowledge the supervisors, faculty and staff who work along side these students.PLEASE STAND WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED.

• Sociology, Social Work & Criminal Justice- Dr. Kevin Smith

• Arts & Sciences-Katie Caillavet • Cardinal Learning Engagement and Development-

Katherine DeWitt • STARS, Supplemental Instruction Program-Ashley

Boone • Student Advising and Retention Services- Nicole

Chirafis • Student Advising and Retention Services-Shannon Tait

Tanner

• College of Engineering- Recruiting Scholarships - Katrina Brent

• Mary & John Gray Library - Karen Nichols • College of Engineering - Dr. Jack Hopper • Purchasing- Danielle Grissom• Recreational Sports-Chris Huebner

• Thank you for everything that you do! You are an essential piece of the students’ professional growth and development and I commend you for your dedication and mentorship.

• At this time I would like to introduce Teresa Simpson, Director of the Career and Testing Center for a few words of encouragement.

This year we received 12 nominations• And I just would like to read a few comments about the

students in this room.• “(This student) is dependable, reliable, never misses

work, is always prompt, and often turns off the lights. His attitude is cheerful and engaging and the quality of his work is above reproach.”- Daniel Mortensen

• “Whether she is filing, shredding, running errands, answering the phones, or helping with special projects, she gives it her all and never complains. Bright and energetic young woman who is truly motivated to do whatever it take s to be an ideal employee and student. –Jaclyn McKey

• “He has proven to be a take charge person who is able to successfully develop plans and implement them. He also has a reputation for being professional, pleasant , and encouraging to students and staff.” –This student is Carl Husband

• She consistently has a professional attitude towards staff and students. If she sees a student in need, she helps out even if it something not required of her when conducting her SI Sessions.”- Jessica Gillispie

• “She consistently performs above and beyond expectations. Not only does she perform tasks assigned to her with eagerness, accuracy, and attention to detail, but she also does so with great deal of professionalism and empathy.”- This student is Patty Stephens..

• During his employment he has proven to be reliable and a dependable employee. He contributes greatly to both his students and the tutoring center as a whole.”—this student is Allen Chao

• “She is continually asking how she can help or coming up with ways to do things more efficiently. Her quality of work is outstanding and I have confidence that upon graduation she will do well in any field she chooses to pursue.”—Dana Guy

• “One of the best student assistants that the department has had in recent years because of his professionalism, reliability, strong work ethic. He manages his time well on projects and his quality of work is consistently excellent.” –Nicholas Coleman

• “This student has performed all duties of a full time position in an exceptional demonstration of capabilities. The quality of all work has been performed with outstanding enthusiasm.”

• -Kolby Smith• “She has demonstrated reliability for scheduling of time and attention to duties. Her quality of work for all of her numerous duties had been achieved with the outstanding professionalism.”---Kara Curran

• “She is the most patient person I have ever met, which is extremely important when working with students and professors from around the world. she will gladly stay after 5 to make sure the needs of Lamar University’s faculty and staff are met.”---Jasmine Farrish

• This student has been a key component to the success of the OP program. She has moved her department forward by consistently updating the centers FB page, researching future outdoor adventures, developed how to videos, and co-leading outdoor adventures..these are just a few of the many ways she improves the OP program every day.. Norma Pulido

• Here to assist with the Presentation of the Certificates are:

• Dr. Jason Lambert, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs

• Ms. Teresa Simpson, Director Career and Testing Center

• When I call your name or if you are collecting the certificate on behalf of your student please come up and extend a hand.

• Daniel J. Mortensen- Sociology, Social Work & Criminal Justice

• Jaclyn Mckey- Arts & Sciences• Carl Husband- Cardinal Learning Engagement and Development

• Jessica Gillispie- STARS, Supplemental Instruction Program

• Patty Stephens- Student Advising and Retention Services

• Allen Chao-Student Advising and Retention Services

• Dana Guy- College of Engineering- Recruiting Scholarships

• Nicholas Coleman- Mary & John Gray Library • Kara Curran- College of Engineering • Kolby D. Smith- College of Engineering • Jasmine Farrish-Purchasing • Norma (Paty) Pulido-Recreational Sports, Outdoor Pursuits

• The 2012 2nd runner up was stated as such: “He is always willing to go above and beyond. He is a self-starter and requires very little direction from his supervisor. He is very popular and our semester assessment consistently demonstrates that he performs his tutoring duties at the highest levels.

• He is always present and prepared for his sessions and he is caring and patient with his students. Allen Chao’s achievements are certainly impressive as a tutor on their own but even more so when you consider his GPA and campus Involvement.” Please welcome Allen Chao nominated by Shannon Tait Tanner in STARS as the 2nd runner-up for the Student Employee of the Year.

• The 1st runner up was a student who was described as : “She has not only met all expectations, but gone above and beyond in several aspects. She has created our program’s website. She has taught herself how to use the computer software, designed the website and continues to update it. Her dedication, high work ethic and self-motivation are infused in every task she takes on.

• Norma ”Paty” Pulido leads by example. This leadership style has advanced productivity, established trust, broken barriers, sparked motivation, empowered others, solved problems, and strengthened bonds between OP staff and The LU community. ” Please welcome Norma Pulido nominated by Chris Huebner in Recreational Sports, Outdoor Pursuits, as the 1st runner-up for the Student Employee of the Year.

• Now it is time to announce the recipient of the Student Employee of the Year award for 2012. the nominee’s letter was also entered to our region, Southern Association of Student Employment Administrators, The announcements for this region will be soon. If the recipient is chosen the letter will then be sent to Nationals.

• Today the department will be given a plaque to display for a year in their office. It will showcase the 2012 recipient name as well as the past winners. There will also be a plaque displayed in the Office of the President.

• “This student is efficient, responsible and dependable, work ethic is impeccable. Their friendly warm attitude make students feel comfortable and creates a relaxed environment. We are constantly receiving compliments about her willingness to to help and the wonderful example she sets for other students.

• She is a triple major in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Physics. She is very detail oriented and thorough in all of her sessions. She has remained diligent in her studies while working as an SI leader in STARS and as a Math and science tutor for high school students at Sylvan Learning Center. She is the President of the LU chapter of Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society.

• She is also a member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the society of Women Engineers. She also participates in Lamar University’s stair step program for Chemistry. Jessica Gillispie is a valuable asset to STARS and is highly deserving of the honor of the the Student Employee of the Year award. We would like to announce Jessica Gillispie nominated by Ashley Boone in STARS as the 2012 Student Employee of the Year.”

THANKS

• Once again, I thank you for your continued support and taking the time out of your busy schedules to honor your student staff, I look forward to working with all of you in the future to accomplish many more achievements and student employment opportunities.

• Thank you. Please stay to enjoy the refreshments and everyone’s company while we take pictures.