Distinguished Award Recipients: 2005
Distinguished Employee of the Year:
Karen Bradley, Linda Chang, and Jacqueline Woodall
Distinguished Administrator of the Year:
Marie Dockter
Karen Bradley
Senior Administrative Secretary, Department of History
Ms. Karen Bradley, Senior Administrative Secretary for the Department of History, was nominated by Dr. Janann Sherman and Dr. Charles W. Crawford. Both agree that the quality of Ms. Bradley's work is superior and her commitment to excellence is well known. Bradley sets a great example for her colleagues by displaying a positive attitude and encouraging others to complete assignments and meet deadlines; her confidence in their abilities helps them to excel in their tasks. Her diligence and efficiency keeps the history department running smoothly and helps to maintain it as a pleasant place to work, teach, counsel, and learn. Bradley strives to give every student the personal attention he or she needs in order to solve his or her problem; her caring and compassionate attitude provides direction for the whole department. She has a strong commitment to her work, often taking materials home or staying late several hours at the office. The energy and skills that she brings to her position gets her recognized because most depend on her to navigate their duties and responsibilities, and this is why she received the Dean's Outstanding Clerical Award for the School of Arts and Sciences. Unfailingly cheerful, attentive, well informed, and helpful are just a few adjectives to describe Ms. Bradley and this is why she exemplifies dedication to the mission of the University and her department. [Return to top]
Linda Chang
Office Assistant, Department of Sociology
Ms. Linda Chang, Office Assistant for the Department of Sociology, received five nominations, along with 20 signatures from faculty members in the department. According to some of her colleagues and the Department Chair, Larry Petersen, Ms. Chang has demonstrated exceptional initiative, self-reliance, and professionalism in the performance of her duties as Office Assistant. She rarely makes mistakes, typically completes tasks before they are required, and produces an excellent quality of work. She was recently put in charge of maintaining the departmental website, and although she was unfamiliar with the software, she took the initiative to learn the software and has been successful with this project since. This is only one of the many examples of how she exercises her ability to be a self-starter and take on new responsibilities; this is vital in helping the department to attain their goals. She is always very enthusiastic about her work and eager to offer her assistance to faculty members where needed. Chang's strong work ethic and pleasant disposition make her the ideal office worker and her friendly personality makes her a great asset at the front desk. Although she has to maintain a heavy load of requests from faculty members, instructors, graduate students, and undergraduates, she remains remarkably reliable, punctual, and thorough; this is why she is very deserving of this award. [Return to top]
Jacqueline Woodall
Administrative Assistant I, College of Business
Ms. Jacqueline Woodall, Administrative Assistant I for the College of Business, received a record number of nominations, 26, from students, faculty, and staff members. According to the various nominations, Ms. Woodall stands out as one of the most remarkable employees here at the University; she is the epitome of high quality customer service. According to Dr. Carol V. Danehower, she has contributed significantly to the implementation of changes on the various processes and procedures to better serve the students and faculty members. With prompt efficiency, she provides guidance and coordination for all Ph.D. students in the College of Business and ensures that the students stay on track to meet the University obligations and complete their programs of study. Her knowledge of the graduate program and the doctoral program is critical. Some students even admit that they may have dropped out of the application process had it not been for her encouragement. They are even more motivated to ask questions because she remains open, offers tremendous support, and strives to make their transition as smooth as possible in a stressful environment. This is why she is viewed as one of the kindest, most patient, caring ambassadors for the College of Business, which is reflected in her many nominations. Various members of the business community have frequently commented on how helpful and positive she is; her sense of responsibility and conscientiousness speak for her record. She is the hub of information among the Fogelman College's various constituencies and other areas on campus. Although she has had to overcome tremendous odds in her life, she has managed to maintain a positive outlook, an exceptional work ethic, and remains an excellent representative for the University. According to one of her nominators, she sets the standard to which all employees should aspire. [Return to top]
Marie Dockter
Director of Administration for Academic Affairs, Provost's Office
Ms. Marie Dockter received nine nominations from various colleagues of the University community. Her nominators emphasize that Ms. Dockter has exhibited exemplary ethics, dedication, and knowledge in her interaction with students, faculty, and staff. She is an excellent model of an administrator who is competent, task-oriented, pleasant to work with, and committed to the well-being of the university. One of her most important qualities is her ability to offer innovative solutions to solving problems. As a chief liaison for university officials, she has aided various departments in the areas of policy administration and support while serving on various committees and teams. While serving in a leadership role on various committees, she is known to be very respectful of others and has a willing and positive attitude, which makes it a pleasure to work with her on various projects. She consistently juggles a variety of projects, while maintaining the role as the key communicator between the Provost, Deans, and Vice Provosts. Her efficient and professional behavior, along with her congenial attitude, generates an ideal working environment for the Provost Office. The productivity of the office has increased significantly as a consequence of her leadership and mentorship, and it still remains a fun place to work. She does her job with grace, good humor, and in a spirit of cooperation and team effort. Her superior job expertise along with her commitment to the pursuit of excellence makes the University a better place. [Return to top]