Week Ending October 30, 2009  Bernice Hughes

Bernice Hughes, Dean of Students.  Dean Hughes was nominated by Elizabeth Wilcox.  "Bernice Hughes, Dean of Student Life and Housing, is the mother of more than 1100 children; she reminds one of the “old lady who lives in a shoe who has so many children”….but Dean Hughes does know what to do. 

She extends her heart to every “son and daughter” on campus making sure they know she cares for them all. She reaches out to them academically and socially. She plans programs that are geared toward personal growth and academic development to help the students succeed while attending ABAC and other aspects of lives. She is never too busy to speak to any of her on-campus children; she always has an open door policy.

 

Dean Hughes puts her children’s well-being first, trying to keep the housing a safe environment to live. She enforces rules to make ABAC Lakeside and ABAC Place safe and secure, working tirelessly to make the on-campus living feel like home.

 

I have witnessed Dean Hughes assist students in so many ways. She has purchased meals from the dining hall for students who do not have meals left on their meal card. She has also made a way for students to get home when a crisis has occurred and the student was without funds. Most people will say I am sorry and turn the person away, but Dean Hughes’ heart is too big to turn one of her children, God’s children, away. Even though her giving goes unrecognized by others, these students and I are glad to know someone on campus really cares. 

Often times we only hear about the bad incidents on campus, but parents call the office to say “thank you” to Dean Hughes, letting her know how much they appreciate her for taking care of their child(ren). Dean Hughes will never admit to anyone how much she cares because to her this is not just a job; it is the love for her children and the parents."

 

Week Ending October 9, 2009  Grabiela Ramirez

Grabiela Ramirez, Retention Counselor in the CAMP program.  Her nomination was by Javier Gonzalez and Nancy Anthony.  “Gabby deserves this recognition for her outstanding hard work and dedication to students.  In addition to her duties, she is also the academic advisor to Cultural Latina and leads the efforts to make the annual Hispanic Heritage Day celebration at ABAC a success.  She worked tirelessly on this project to ensure institutional and community attendance, interest and participation.  Gabby truly is the best example of dedication to students, job and community.  We are extremely proud to nominate Grabiela Ramirez for the High Five Award.”

 

Week Ending September 18, 2009.  Cindy Barber

Cindy Barber, Office of Information Technology Services   Cindy Barber was nominated by Keith Barber in this following nomination, “Cindy’s support and assistance cannot be described in a singular event as these instructions indicate.  What Cindy has continuously done to assist ABAC is to work with the Office of College Advancement (OCA) to create new ideas, implement strategies for streamlining processes, provide on and off-campus support for functions and offer valuable feedback from an informed perspective.  A few examples of the support Cindy has provided are:  creation of an alumni newsletter; a video history of ABAC from the alumni and student perspective; and a smooth engagement of the Alumni Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Trustees during a recent workshop.  Each of these areas of support has been critical in the internal and external advancement of ABAC as they have been tremendous helpmates to the mission of the OCA.  It should also be noted that none of these responsibilities reside in Cindy’s job description.

Cindy is obviously creative in her thought process and diligent in her work ethics, but just as importantly she is anticipatory in seeing needs in advance.  On several occasions I have “kicked around” an idea with her (such as an alumni newsletter) with no expectation of her further involvement, only to have a finished product in my hand a few days later.  But, she always makes sure I realize her work can be critiqued and adjusted to ensure the most appropriate fit for the College.  These are characteristics that are not taught, but greatly needed for an organization to function at its best.

The partnership OCA has informally found with Cindy has nothing to do with her duties as assigned NOR because she had nothing else to do…Cindy has helped OCA because she wants ABAC to be the College of Choice for students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends.  She has assisted us because it is not about her, but about ABAC.

Although I have put lots of thought and attention toward this nomination, it does not compare to the exceptional work performed by Cindy Barber toward the advancement of the College.  ABAC is fortunate to have her on the team.”

Week Ending August 21, 2009.  Theresa Clemens and Reina Patel (Weekly Winner August 21, Monthly Winner)

Theresa Clemens and Reina Patel:  Dr. Gail Dillard has nominated Theresa Clemens and Reina Patel for the High Five with the following nomination:  “Theresa and Reina stepped out of their regular job duties to help answer phones for the financial aid office during several days of heavy phone and walk in traffic before and right after classes began August 17.  Because of their willingness to “think globally,” we were better able to serve prospective and current students.  Accolades, too, to Midge for allowing her staff to assist another department during a crunch time.”

 

Week Ending July 17, 2009: The Fiscal Affairs Staff  (Weekly Winners July 17, Monthly Winner)

Fiscal Affairs Staff.  The Fiscal Affairs Staff reporting to John Clemens have all been nominated by John for a High Five award.  His nomination is as follows:  "I would like to submit my staff for special recognition for their hard work in closing out the year in record time as required by the University System Office.  I also nominate Student Financial Aid and Patsy Hembree for the work they did in solving a check refund problem that would have kept a number of students from getting much needed refund checks on time last week.  This was an unusually tough week with ADP (HR & Payroll), purchasing and financial deadlines all at the same time.  I hope we never have to go through a week lake that again."

 

Week Ending June 19, 2009:  Vonda Fenn (Weekly Winner June 19)

Vonda Fenn, Program Coordinator for Public Service & Business Outreach Center, Vonda has been nominated by Kip Hall who writes, "At the 2009 Natural Resources Conservation Workshop Awards Ceremony, Vonda Fenn was described by Director Dennis Brooks as 'the Mother of the Workshop.'  Mother indeed: coordinating efforts involving multiple state agencies, extreme efficiency in correspondence and record-keeping, and that all important historical perspective due to her years of Workshop involvement.  Vonda is absolutely vital to the success of the NRC Workshop, and she is one of our greatest ambassadors.  High Five, nothing!  How about a HIGH TEN?" 

 

Week Ending June 12, 2009:  Debra McCrary (Weekly Winner June 12; Monthly Winner June 2009)

Debra McCrary, Registrar, has been nominated for the High Five Award by Becky Arnold and Tami Dennis.   Their nomination is as follows, "Debra has always been willing to go beyond her duties when answering questions or finding information for us.  She has never has a negative attitude or made us feel "sorry" for asking a question.  She is very prompt and knowledgeable in her answers."

 

Week Ending June 5, 2009:  Diane Kilgore (Weekly Winner June 5, Monthly Winner)

Diane Kilgore, Director of the Public Services and Business Outreach Center, has been nominated by Dr. Eddie Seagle who writes: "Diane Kilgore goes that extra mile for ABAC.  Whether she is completing a task in PSBO or assisting with an inter-disciplinary activity across campus, she gives it her all.  Diane is always smiling and very professional.  She is a great AMBASSADOR for ABAC.  She loves what she does and it shows and these actions are very contagious.  Diane was a major key in the planning and development of all the paperwork and forms needed between Sun Yat-sen University, the USG Board of Regents and ABAC for the recent “ABAC Turf Team in China” project.  She also plays a key role in the Customer Service program for the State of Georgia.  She makes every effort to provide assistance to any agency or person on campus that can utilize her services.  Thank you, Diane, for all that you do for ABAC and beyond.  We appreciate you.  Cheers to you!!!  Xie xie!!!"

 

Week Ending February 20, 2009:  Chris Maurer; Shirley Wilson, Pam Leonard and Ashley Williamson.

Chris Maurer, Residence Life Coordinator, Housing.  Chris has been nominated by Chris Kinsey who wrote, "Chris Maurer went above and beyond his duties to help set up for Stallion Day.  After most everyone had left, Chris stayed with the Enrollment Services employees still running around preparing to make sure the sound system and projector worked.  This was in addition to the set up Housing required and the homework he needed to work on."

 

Shirley Wilson, Administrative Associate, HPER; Pam Leonard, Executive Assistant; and Ashley Williamson, Public Relations Assistant.  These three ladies were nominated by Alan Kramer.  His nomination is as follows, "Shirley Wilson, Pam Leonard and Ashley Williamson really knocked the ball out of the park for ABAC's second Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony held Friday evening, February 13th. All 110+ in attendance would certainly agree that the "preparation" and "little things" made this ceremony truly special.  This is one of those evenings that will forever stand out as a proud and cherished ABAC memory for me and the feedback I have received from the inductees could not have been more complimentary.  Thank you ladies for a JOB well done!!"