The business manager of International Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will be honored by her colleagues with the Carolyn Rolfson Sargis Award on Thursday, April 25.

Linda Garski of Rosholt will be presented with the award by the Classified Staff Advisory Committee (CSAC) during the Classified Recognition Awards ceremony at 3 p.m. in the Alumni Room of the University Center. Other UWSP employees will be recognized with Classified Recognition Awards and 25 and 30-year service pins.

Named for the late Carolyn Rolfson Sargis, a UWSP business manager who worked under seven chancellors, the award recognizes classified staff members who epitomize the standards of outstanding and dedicated service and special contributions to the university. The citation was given for the first time 16 years ago to Sargis and Sidone Anderson, a credit auditor in the Registration and Records Office for 38 years.

Nominated by David Staszak, director of International Programs (IP), Garski has worked at UWSP for 28 years, beginning in the budgeting and planning area for two years, then in the Bursar�s Office for nine years. She has been with International Programs since 1985 handling all of the financial transactions of more than $2 million in accounts receivable and payable each year. She will receive a $650 award and her name will be added to a plaque of previous winners that hangs outside the Personnel Office in Old Main.

As a staff member of International Programs, she has visited UWSP�s European study abroad sites eight times since 1985. She has assisted groups on their entry tour to Poland and in 1991 she led a group of students through their three-week entry tour of East and Central Europe. In her role as IP ambassador, she has met with key staff at consulates and chancellors of foreign universities. She also has attended a conference regarding Polish studies in the U.S. and overseas at SUNY-Buffalo and has assisted in bringing several Polish speakers to UWSP.

Two of Garski�s unique contributions to launching students traveling abroad have been ironing on a loose plastic passport seal and digging through a garbage container to find a student�s green card.

Garski is in constant demand as a resource and consultant to students and faculty for all phases of overseas programs. She has been recognized by the Student Government Association for "continued service and dedication to students" and has twice been named a Student Employer of Distinction.

In addition, she is a devoted parent, who volunteers at her children�s schools, at her church and in the community.

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