The College of Southern Maryland recognized 17 employees who have made significant contributions to the colleges success during the past six months at a reception Oct. 15 at the La Plata Campus. Employees were recognized for their actions and accomplishments in response to the colleges seven principles of respect, excellence, diversity, teamwork, integrity, knowledge and innovation.
Part of the colleges Employee Recognition and Awards Program, the reception gives staff and faculty the opportunity to recognize their co-workers excellence in the following seven categories: including Customer Service, Extra Mile, Innovator, Leadership, Innovative Teaching, Presidents and Professional Goal Attainment. The awards are open to individuals, groups and teams.
The Customer Service Award recognizes employees who have provided quality service and have ensured customer satisfaction. An award was presented to CSM Mail and Distribution Services employees Janice Love, Gilbert Farrall, Melba Fetty, Richard Taylor, Marian Wills, Diane Payne and Lynna Ketchens for their outstanding work ethic and for providing customer service many times at a moments call.
The Extra Mile Award recognizes employees who have made significant contributions over an extended period of time. An individual award was given to Theresa Beckett who volunteered to work long hours during the duration of the Kids and Teen College summer classes. Beckett prepared the instructors manuals for more than 250 classes offered on three campuses, in addition to teaching two Kids and Teen College classes and performing her normal work duties.
The Innovator Award recognizes efficiencies that save the college substantial money or work, improve student educational experiences, or ideas and projects that lead the college in a new direction. A team award was given to Stephen Stansfield, Kenneth Bays, Don Posey and Buddy Brown for their collaboration to construct a gravel parking lot suitable for 80 parking spaces on the Prince Frederick Campus. This effort eased parking congestion and saved the college money.
The Leadership Award recognizes employees who have applied strong leadership skills to the success of a curricular project, committee responsibility, administrative project or major college activity. The award was given to Laura Tolarski for her accomplishments during her interim role as Director of Public Safety and Preparedness. In addition to Tolarskis normal duties, she developed active working relationships with many government emergency services departments in Charles and St. Marys counties.
The Innovative Teaching Award recognizes individual faculty members who have improved the educational experiences of students and, in doing so, have moved the college forward in a strategic direction. The award was given to Chretien Guidry for his ability to provide a creative classroom learning environment. His use of first-person impersonations and avatars in his web-based classes makes a memorable educational experience.
The Presidents Award is given to employees responsible for a project or a major accomplishment that supports the college's strategic plan or promotes the college's initiatives and goals. A team award was given to Irvin Clark and Jody Simpson for their successful implementation of a pilot community learning program for at-risk students at the Prince Frederick Campus. Three new learning communities were added for the fall 2009 semester.
The Professional Goal Attainment Award recognizes employees who have achieved a job-related educational or professional goal. Recognized were Velvet Johnson for obtaining a bachelors degree in business/accounting from the University of Phoenix, Jennifer Everhart for receiving a bachelors degree in management studies and a certificate in human resources from University of Maryland University College, and Vickie Grow for obtaining a bachelors degree in social science with a minor in gerontology from UMUC.
To view career opportunities through CSMs online application system, visit http://www.csmd.edu/employment/. For information about the college, call 301-934-2251 or 301-934-7700.