On Wednesday, March 26, six UMaine staff members were acknowledged for their years of service at the university’s Employee Recognition Reception and Awards Ceremony at the Wells Conference Center.
Two hundred people attended the catered event where 64 total employees were recognized for their service of 25, 35 or 45 years at the university, as well as two additional faculty members who were awarded the 2014 Outstanding Classified Employees Award and two for the 2014 Outstanding Professional Employees Award. Attendees were welcomed with a light lunch and soft music performed by the Oyster Duo — Connor Oyster on stand-up bass and Blake Ford on guitar.
“It is really a wonderful time for us to stop what we’re doing, be reflective and sit back and celebrate our outstanding employees who have been with us and served this institution so well,” said Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Administration Judith Ryan.
The recipients of the 2014 Outstanding Classified Employee Award are Administrative Specialist Deborah Grant from the Department of Political Science and Janice Bacon from the Department of Educational Leadership, Higher Education and Human Development. Bacon has worked in UMaine support staff positions since 1977, and Grant has been a member of the UMaine community since 1986. Both women said they enjoy their interactions with the students and their colleagues.
The Classified Employees Advisory Council had been in deliberation about the recipients of the 2014 Outstanding Classified Employee Award since November 2013. The annual CEAC award recognizes exceptional service by UMaine classified employees who inspire others through dedication, commitment and work ethic, maintain the highest level of professional service and help create a better UMaine community.
Director of the Hudson Museum Gretchen Faulkner and Director of the Employee Assistance Program Polly Moutevelis-Burgess are the recipients of the 2014 Outstanding Professional Employee Award. The Professional Employees Advisory Council awards the distinction to an employee who demonstrates a dedication to serving others; maintains the highest level of professional services and standards within their disciplines or areas of responsibility; helps create a better environment for employees, students and the campus community; and demonstrates public service through significant contributions to their field of the university or the community.
Faulkner has been affiliated with the Hudson Museum since 1986 and in her nomination was cited for her “highly ethical and visionary approach” that has advanced the museum’s programming and collections to a worldwide audience. Moutevelis-Burgess was described as “uniformly responsive, compassionate and committed to providing UMaine employees with comprehensive and high-quality counseling services, as well as enthusiastic about her role in making UMaine a compelling place to live, work and learn.”
“I really firmly believe that what is the hallmark of the University of Maine that was very evident to us early on in our time together three years ago was this incredible deep root of collaboration and commitment to each other,” UMaine President Ferguson said.
Department of Chemistry Professor Jayendran Rasaiah is one of the staff members who has been committed to the UMaine community for 45 years and was recognized at the ceremony. Rasaiah received his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1965 at The University of Pittsburgh and came to the University of Maine in 1970. In his lifetime he has seen many successes in research as a visiting scientist from as far as Maryland to New York, England and Australia. He was also the recipient of the Fellow, American Physical Society award in 2005.
The recipients’ awards were presented by staff members from the departments of Administration and Finance, Athletics, Development, Student Life, Marketing and Communications, Research and Academic Affairs
“In athletics we have an old football coach saying, ‘It’s not the Xs and Os, it’s all about the Jimmys and Joes,’” Athletic Director Karlton Creech said. “And the translation is that even the best plans are 100 percent dependent on the people who carry them out. And I’ve learned very quickly in our department of athletics that we’ve got great people.” Creech went on to note how our student athletes’ successes are put on a public platform, however the public often doesn’t see the team behind those athletes: the employees from the Department of Athletics.
Dean of Students Dr. Robert Dana recognized two members of the police department: William Mitchell for 25 years of service and George Ash for 35 years. Mitchell is the campus firearm instructor; he trains the 20 sworn officers who need to be “proficient experts in gunmanship, need to be constantly tested and updated, and in a position to both protect themselves, the property of the university, the faculty and particularly the students,” Dana said.
Next, Dana recognized Ash not only for the three lives he saved, most recently reviving someone at the New Balance Recreation Center, but also for his marriage with the wife who he met at UMaine, “a love that is legendary on campus,” Dana said.
From Marketing and Communications, Julie Hopwood celebrated Catherine Nichols’ 35 years in the UMaine community and said that she has been a great partner in the Blue Sky Plan at the university because she is a “relationship builder.” Hopwood went on to show how deeply Nichols cares about everyone and everything in her surroundings by comparing her to Snow White in a story where Hopwood was introduced to the animal “friends” that Nichols feeds regularly.
The ceremony lasted about one hour, and each person who was acknowledged left with a take-home gift of appreciation.