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Credit: Nick Romanenko
Members of the Alumni Relations Reunion
on the River team in front of a poster
displaying evidence of their
collaboration. Their teamwork made for
the most successful alumni reunion event
ever at Rutgers-Camden, with
approximately 800 graduates attending.
Thirty-five employees from 18
departments cooperated to carry out the
event, which netted them one of six
university Bridge Awards.
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University departments that collaborated to execute unique events or improve services and employees who routinely go beyond their job descriptions were honored at the President’s Recognition Program Awards Ceremony.
Ten employees received Excellence in Service Awards and six collaborative, interdepartmental groups received Bridge Awards at the ceremony held Oct. 28 at the Busch Campus Center. The recognition program was announced earlier this year.
“It is high time that we put in place a regular means of recognizing outstanding achievement. Sometimes it seems our faculty members get all the kudos. But they couldn’t possibly do the job by themselves,” said President Richard L. McCormick, at the ceremony attended by several hundred people, primarily Rutgers staff.
McCormick mentioned the success of the myriad departments responding to the fire at the Brower Commons dining hall the previous night. “I could not have been prouder of the way Rutgers University staff members came together.”
The ceremony was the first of what will be an annual tradition to honor university staff members. It was preceded by a showcase event in which each Bridge Award-nominated group displayed posters. The displays illustrated how the groups improved “best practices,” increased efficiency by sharing resources with other departments or organized intricate, successful events. Thirty-eight teams were nominated for Bridge Awards, as well as 57 individuals recommended for Excellence in Service Awards.
“The common characteristics present in all of the individuals or groups was a dedication to exceptional service, an understanding of how the work that they do impacts faculty, staff and students, and their ability to continue to look for ways to build on their successes,” said Karen Kavanagh, executive vice president for administrative affairs.
The winners will attend a luncheon Nov. 15 in the Neilson Dining Hall.
Excellence in Service Awards
Alexandria Bachman, Graduate School-New Brunswick: For approaching work with an “infectious enthusiasm” and above-and-beyond efforts to assist students with disabilities.
Rashel L. Carnefix, Campus Information Services: For taking a lead role on the CIS marketing team and being proactive with Rutgers police to ensure safety awareness for on- and off-campus students.
Teresa M. Delcorso, Graduate School-New Brunswick: Known in her department as “Chaser” for tireless pursuit of funding sources. Delcorso created a large database of graduate student support services.
Carol Dobos, Social Work department, Newark: For responding with professionalism, empathy, and detail to the needs of numerous diverse students in field placement yearly as well as approximately 50 agencies on the local and statewide level.
Larry R. Gaines, School of Business-Camden: For playing a major role in the design, construction and maintenance of three modern computer-aided classrooms for students and taking a collaborative approach in his work and volunteering to tackle challenges and tasks outside of his regular responsibilities.
David L. Gwalthney, Camden Computing Services: Promotes staff training and gives staff freedom to grow and learn. One day after a recent heart attack, he sent his children to campus to retrieve papers and a laptop so he could work from his hospital bed.
Waleska G. Rodriguez, Admissions, Newark: For working closely with Equal Opportunity Fund students, attending community events and making specific outreaches to students in greatest need.
Janice D. Strickland, Office of Compliance, Student Policy and Judicial Affairs: For honing her knowledge of the office’s responsibilities to answer questions as the first office contact. On a daily basis, Strickland successfully deals with sensitive issues and people who are stressed and upset.
Allison A. Wisniewski, Camden Campus Involvement: For changing the face and feel of the residence halls, adding a new fitness center and improving the lines of communication between the resident students and the Residence Life Office staff.
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