June 07, 1999
University Honors Four Who "Make Students Count"
June 7, 1999» NR 12-1999
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Four University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ staffers have won the first of the university's "Make Students
Count" awards for their outstanding service to students.
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University President Mark R. Hamilton announced the award winners Friday at the annual
meeting of the Board of Regents on the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ campus in Fairbanks.
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The winners are:
Colleen Abrams, manager of student information systems in the statewide system office in Fairbanks, was cited because her work touches the academic life of every student in the UA system. When the information system was being converted to the Banner system, Abrams worked diligently to make the system work efficiently and effectively, and offered suggestions to improve the way campuses use the system.
"Colleen has gotten 'in the trenches' at registration at almost every campus," wrote
ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Registrar Ann Tremarello who supported Abrams' nomination for the award. "If we
brought forth an idea for a system change, she would often improve the change to allow
is to serve students better. She has a tremendous capacity for looking at the system
use from a user standpoint."
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Susan Barlow, administrative assistant in distance education at the UAS campus in Sitka, was honored
for her friendly, personal assistance to students. Barlow is known by students and
her fellow staffers alike for always being willing to go "above and beyond" her job
description if a job needs to get done.
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"Sue gives the distance students a whole package," wrote student Dottie Cornelius,
who supported Barlow's nomination. "She is a friend, confidante, servant and professional
all in one. She does so many things for us to make us feel valued as a student that
we are getting the best value for our tuition."»»»
Sue McHenry, a counselor in Rural Student Services at ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ, who joined the university in 1968
and was honored by the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Federation of Natives two years ago when she received
the Denali Award for her work with Native students.
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McHenry's supervisor, JoAnn Ducharme, director of Rural Student Services, wrote in
her nomination letter, "I would never have thought 24 years ago that someday I would
be Sue's supervisor. It is through her that I learn much on a daily basis. After 25
years of serving students she still brings excitement and creativity with her in her
role as academic advisor. Students really do come first for Sue. That has never been
questioned by any student or anyone who has worked at Rural Student Services."
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Michael Smith, student information office coordinator for the College of Business and Public Policy
at UAA, was honored for his dedication to serving students and being willing to go
the extra mile to help them achieve their goals.
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"Mike's hard work and dedication to students shows up in everything he does," wrote
Professor Robert Maloney, who supported Smith's nomination for the award. "He is constantly
looking for ways to improve the operation of his office. He has made several proposals
for changes to policies, procedures, or forms which would eliminate inconsistencies,
and improve service to students. All of us in the College benefit from the excellent
job that Mike does."
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Each winner of the "Make Students Count" award received a cash award of $1,000 and
two tickets to anywhere ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Airlines flies in the U. S.
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Hamilton started the awards to recognize staff who have provided outstanding service
to students from anywhere in the UA system. The UA Staff Alliance gathers nominations
for the awards and makes recommendations to President Hamilton.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Bob Miller, 907-474-7272