Six members of the classified staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point were honored with Classified Recognition Awards at the classified staff�s spring awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 23. Each honoree received a certificate of appreciation and a $50 gift certificate.

Also honored at the ceremony was the 2003 Carolyn Rolfson Sargis Award winner, Jane Burroughs, a Stevens Point native and program assistant in the Department of Political Science, who will receive a $650 prize at the annual UWSP faculty/staff recognition dinner.

The University Service Award went to JoAnne Evica, a custodian with Residential Living; Ray Firkus, a plumber with Facility Services; and Sister Rosella Reinwand, sports equipment coordinator in the School of Health, Exercise Science and Athletics. The award honors those who have made outstanding contributions of time and effort to the university community outside of their normal work assignment. These contributions increased the positive perception of the university or enhanced the ability of the university to accomplish its mission of providing educational opportunities.

The Outstanding Contribution Awards were given to Kim Becken, a program assistant in the Biology Department; Jerry Naczek, a maintenance mechanic with Facility Services; and Warren Rudy, an academic custodian. This award is for exemplary performance that improves the effectiveness and efficiency of service offered by the unit or the university. This performance may include taking on additional responsibilities, developing new procedures or making the workplace more pleasant.

Evica serves as chair of the Classified Staff Grants Committee, as a mentor to new employees and as a classified representative on the UPDC grants board. She is volunteer at Schmeeckle Reserve and helped develop the university section of the Green Circle Trail.

As the only plumber on campus, Firkus installs new plumbing, maintains existing plumbing and responds to plumbing emergencies on campus. He juggles his duties while maintaining a cheerful demeanor, says nominator Shirley Waul of News Services.

Reinwand has been at UWSP for about 34 years and with the sports equipment area for 20. She maintains uniforms and equipment for most of UWSP�s athletic teams, created and implemented a check out policy and takes photos at athletic events. She has been honored by Champion USA and is on the Parking Appeals Committee.

Becken helped the Biology Department with three faculty searches in the last academic year without it affecting her normal workload, says Department Chair Robert Bell. She also helps address budget concerns and goes out of her way to help others in the department, doing so willingly and with a smile, says Bell.

Naczek�s expertise in swimming pool maintenance and security systems keep things running properly at UWSP. He is very involved with the local 584 Union and helped create Cooperative Labor/Management Sessions to build good working relationships. He also submits cost-saving ideas to management to help the university save money.

Rudy�s most significant contributions to UWSP have been in the large aquatics lab in the Biology Department. He cares for the fish, reptiles and amphibians by feeding them, cleaning the tanks and filter systems and coming in on weekends or holidays to care for the animals or track one that is missing. He also works with faculty and students who need to use the lab after hours.

-30-

ch/vc/CSAC-2003