October 2002

University Achievement Awards Honor Outstanding Employees

By Jessica Johnson

"Help! Help! I need help. She's choking and I don't know what to do." These words stopped Winston Jones in his tracks.

Five years earlier Jones had taken a job-required first aid training course and had attended refresher courses over the years. Without stopping to think, he ran to the girl and performed the Heimlich maneuver on her. The food obstructing her windpipe did not dislodge with the first attempt, but when Jones tried again, he succeeded.

Jones was among 20 individual George Mason employees honored on Aug. 30 at the Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony hosted by Human Resources and over which President Alan Merten presided. Jones and two others received the Presidential Citation, a new award that recognizes an individual who has performed an exceptional deed or service.

In addition to the individual Outstanding Achievement Awards and the Quality Customer Service Award, a new award was presented this year - the Outstanding Supervisor Award. Linda Westphal, who has recently retired as assistant vice president and chief human resources officer, also announced the creation of a new award in honor of recently retired 20-year Mason veteran Margaret Howell. As equal opportunity specialist and Title IX coordinator in the Equity Office, Howell worked tirelessly for civility, respect, and diversity across the university. The award in her name will honor others who continue her work.

Presidential Citation

David Bever, Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources, administered first aid to a student who suffered a heart attack while participating in an informal basketball game on the Fairfax Campus.

Winston Jones, Physical Plant, performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student who was choking on food in the Johnson Center Food Court.

Tom Wells, a firefighter for Fairfax Search and Rescue, was serving as the evening manager of the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center on the Prince William Campus when a patron exercising in the weight room went into cardiac arrest. Wells administered first aid and used an automated external defibrillator to assist the individual.

Outstanding Achievement Awards 2002

This award is granted for an achievement or for specific accomplishments that improve processes, save time or money, or improve customer service, and result in significant benefit to the university, school, institute, or department.

David Alexander, University Libraries, developed a model and training plan to shift 500,000 volumes in Fenwick Library with the help of student assistants. His efforts resulted in significant monetary savings.

Thomas Bacigalupi, University Police, reconfigured an existing, outdated software program into one that enables the Police Department to effectively track the state-mandated training of each officer and civilian employee. His modification of the program resulted in substantial savings.

Clodagh Bassett, School of Management, coordinates the technology management program for the school. She was recognized for her attention to detail, professionalism, and program support.

Steve Bernard, Technology Systems Division, provided a cost-effective solution for managing bandwidth and developed and documented security policies for the Banner system.

Joyce Bland-French, Safety Office, revised the university's risk management program, which resulted in the "Risk Management Handbook." She also successfully documented and defended more than $1 million dollars' worth of insurance claims against the university and advised students and staff and faculty members on the safety aspects of events.

JosÈ Coradin, School of Law, provided excellent technological assistance to School of Law employees. The team that he leads has been recognized as one of the most customer-oriented, technologically knowledgeable, and dedicated computing support teams at the university.

Gerald Drake, Instructional and Technology Support Services, helped train the Instructional Resource Center staff to support faculty members as they develop assignments involving relational databases. He also provided oversight for the WebCT program and its expansion.

Elaine Ehrlich, Technology Systems Division, provided excellent customer service, supporting the existing Human Resources and Payroll systems. She also provided technical and functional expertise in the migration of these systems to the Banner system.

Mihaela Enache, Technology Systems Division, completed the design, development, and implementation of the Grade Post application for the Registrar's Office, which allows faculty members to post grades over the web. She also led the research, development, and deployment of Oracle Reports, a critical component in the successful implementation of the Banner system.

William P. Jackson, Physical Plant, helped identify and procure new products and equipment that enabled the automotive shop to function more efficiently. He displayed a strong work ethic and dedication by responding readily to frequent after-hours emergencies. His interest in new ideas and opportunities for improvement produced a productive work environment.

Hollis McDonald, Human Resources, helped employees understand the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program. Her attention to detail and knowledge of the program have not only served individual employees well, but also the university as a whole.

Patricia Morgan, Technology Systems Division, served as the primary UNIX engineer for the implementation of the Banner system. She conducted research and provided technical expertise and other assistance. The university will continue to benefit from her contributions as more modules of the new system are added.

Jane Pearson, Development Office, planned and organized the event that formally launched the university's first comprehensive fundraising initiative, The Campaign for George Mason University. The event effectively showcased the university and generated excitement about the campaign.

Marlys Shoup, Instructional and Technology Support Services, ensured continued quality technology training while she managed a new lab and new unit. In addition to supporting Banner training, she provided oversight in the conversion of an existing space into an 18-seat training facility for the Training in Office and Productivity Skills program.

Joy Staulcup, Office of the Registrar, provides timely and accurate class schedules, instructions, and procedures that enable more than 25,000 students to register each semester. She ensures that the expectations of the schools are met and that students and their requests are handled in a consistent and fair manner.

George Wray, School of Management, planned and executed the refurbishment and upgrade of facilities to support the school's mission. He implemented and maintained strong management controls resulting in accountability for all IT equipment. He provided IT support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to more than 120 faculty and staff members, and he managed an upgrade and expansion of the school's web site.

Outstanding Supervisor Award

Doris Bitler, College of Arts and Sciences, is the first recipient of the Outstanding Supervisor Award, which is sponsored by the Staff Senate. She is associate dean of undergraduate student academic affairs for the college. "Our office handles the problems of a lot of students," says Bitler. "Students are often angry because they want us to do something that Mason policy won't allow us to do, like drop them from a class in the last week of the semester without a failing grade. It's difficult to maintain a positive attitude among staff, especially when budget cutbacks and constraints mean we must do more with less," she says. "I do it with a lot of positive reinforcement."

Quality Customer Service Award

The Orientation Office staff received the 2002 Quality Customer Service Award, which is given for an individual or group's contribution to the enhancement of quality customer service at George Mason. (See "Orientation Office Earns Customer Service Award for Summer Work" in the August/ September Mason Gazette.)