ELEVEN "EXCELLENT EMPLOYEES" TO BE HONORED AT SMITH CEREMONY

Recognition Program Asks Faculty And Staff To Nominate Employees Whose Contributions Make Them Stand Out Above The Crowd

"A bright light." "Amazing." "A testament to good grace and patience." "An exceptional, behind-the-scenes soul." "Honorable and admirable." "A tireless teacher, learner, and colleague." "Optimistic and thorough." "Extremely customer-oriented."

These are some of the words being used to describe an exceptional group of Smith employees. In this case, they are not necessarily the words of supervisors or department heads. Instead, they are the sentiments of staff members about their fellow employees ­ a fact that gives them special meaning.

The Employee Excellence Awards, a program started last year to recognize employees in other than a "top-down" fashion, will recognize 11 outstanding employees at a community celebration to be held 2:30 ­ 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall. The award ceremony will be followed by a reception. Also recognized at the ceremony will be employees with milestone years of service ranging from 10 to 45 years.

Seventy staff members were nominated by their peers for the awards, with nominations or letters of support submitted by 159 individuals. In contrast to most conventional recognition programs, in which bonuses are bestowed by supervisors, the Employee Excellence Awards are designed to enable all Smith employees to recognize the contributions of their peers or colleagues.

Recognizing that employees contribute in varied ways, nominations were sought for excellence in a number of categories, among them service, diversity, community, teamwork, cost-effectiveness, and supervision. Winners received a $1,000 after-tax honorarium in June.

Winners of the 2000 Employee Excellence Awards (listed by town of residence)

AMHERST Janice McDowell Cashier Controller's Office Award for Community, Service and Diversity	HADLEY Jeanne West Administrative Assistant Foreign Languages and Literature Award for Service
EASTHAMPTON Catherine Brooks Publications Secretary Office of College Relations Award for Service and Cost-Effectiveness Cynthia Furtek Academic Secretary Humanities Departments Award for Diversity	HATFIELD Christine Barbuto Administrative Assistant Department of Education and Child Study Award for Service LEEDS Amy Wallace Program Manager for Operations Office of Advancement Award for Community and Teamwork
FLORENCE Ay Ling Han Psychologist Health Services Department Award for Diversity Tierney Richi Dining Room Assistant, College Club Residence and Dining Services Award for Service Steven Stander Technical Services Coordinator Information Technology Services Award for Service	NORTHAMPTON Charlene Correa Human Resources Specialist Office of Human Resources Award for Community Debra Diemand Data Specialist Office of Advancement Award for Service

September 25, 2000