Individual contributions, University-wide collaborations and program achievements were recognized at the 2009 Service Excellence awards ceremony in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom Nov. 5.
The awards ceremony marked the end of the annual Service Excellence Celebration, two weeks of events and activities—including luncheons, lectures and receptions—on GW’s three campuses.
Celebration Chair Mary Wallace, managing director for Service Improvement Initiatives and Projects, says there were several exciting additions to this year’s celebration, including a full day Service Excellence Conference at GW’s Virginia Campus. And in a special twist, each of this year’s winners was announced via video, with nominators explaining why colleagues or projects deserved the award.
“This year, we showed our unique focus on service excellence through the celebration and the high caliber nominations we received in record numbers, and also through the sheer effort and work ethic of the many people who were officially a part of the planning committee this year and those behind the scenes who support this event every year,” says Wallace. “We are proud to continue this great tradition of celebrating the Service Excellence culture of the University.”
In his opening remarks, President Steven Knapp said the committee received a record 496 nominations this year, an almost “tenfold” increase since the first awards ceremony in 2001. “On behalf of the entire University administration, I thank all our nominees for the many extraordinary ways in which you’ve personally supported our shared aspiration to make GW the best place to work in this capital region and one of the best places to study in the nation,” said President Knapp. “You’ve set a great example for all of your colleagues, and I do appreciate your hard work and dedication.”
And the awards went to…
Eckles Library received the Departmental Service Excellence Award. Nominations from Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Mount Vernon Campus Shelly Heller and a GW student emphasized the events and displays the Eckles staff uses to make the library as academically enriching environment. The library’s monthly Language Café and weekly math and science resource centers were also cited in the nominations.
Jeffrey Bowen, executive assistant in the dean’s office of GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs, received the Faculty and Staff Choice Award. Nominated by Elliott School Associate Dean David Grier and 17 GW faculty members, Mr. Bowen was held up by all of the nominators as an exemplar of civility and was deemed “extraordinary” in his support of classroom activities for professors by assisting with student services, technology and logistics. Many of the individuals mentioned that Mr. Bowen was one of the best colleagues they have ever worked with anywhere.
GW Veterans Advisory Group and Yellow Ribbon Implementation Team won the Service Collaboration Award. Nominated by both a GW student veteran and Andrew Sonn, director of customer service initiatives for the Division of Student and Academic Support Services, the GW Student Veterans Advisory Group and Yellow Ribbon Implementation Team involved participants from across the GW. The group was instrumental in establishing a veteran services Web site, staging a student veterans orientation and a national veterans in higher education symposium, and helping GW secure a place as a “veteran-friendly institution” in GI Jobs magazine.
Michelle Arcieri, senior associate director of student financial assistance, received the Parent Choice Award. Nominated independently by two parents, one wrote that “Michelle has always made us feel that she was on our side, would help with communicating with other departments, and finds ways to ensure my daughter’s ability to meet her financial obligations while attending to what is most important--her academic requirements.” Ms. Arcieri, according to the nominations, went above the call of duty in helping GW students and their families, something particularly valuable during difficult economic times.
Calder Stembel, student technology specialist for the Columbian College Office of Technology Services, received the Student Staff Award. Nominated by Systems Specialist Sean Connolly and four faculty members, including English department chair Jeffrey Cohen, Mr. Stembel stood out for his work on a Columbian College computer inventory and creation of a technology manual for faculty members while carrying a full-time undergraduate course load. A nominator also cited Mr. Stembel’s involvement with Camp Kesem, a non-profit summer camp for children of parents with cancer.
Helen Cannaday Saulny, Student and Academic Support Services assistant vice president, received the Alumni Choice Award. Nominated by 10 GW alumni and five current GW students, Ms. Cannaday Saulny’s nominators cited the many ways in which she supported and enhanced their GW academic experiences in and out of the classroom. Ms. Cannaday Saulny was frequently called a role model who could be relied on for advice and support.
John Ralls, special advisor for communications and outreach, received the Student Choice Award. Nominated by alumna and Presidential Administrative Fellow Gina Fernandes, Mr. Ralls, who was a finalist in another category as well, won the Student Choice Award for his efforts in advancing the GW Campus Plan, advising and leading Campaign GW, and supporting Green GW.
South Hall Project received the Sustainability Award. Nominated by SASS Community Director Alex Gruenberg, the South Hall residence hall is a LEED-certified building with numerous environmentally friendly features. The building embodies GW commitment to sustainability, and its planning, construction and opening required collaboration among many University departments and divisions.
Mr. Sonn, a member of the Service Excellence Leadership team, says this year’s record number of nominees was evidence of “the many fine examples of service excellence at work across the GW community.”
“We are grateful for the participation of President Knapp and members of GW’s executive leadership team and for the enthusiasm of all of the attendees in recognizing their colleagues’ achievements,” he says. “The Hollywood feel with a short video blurb introducing each award recipient was especially fitting this year because these individuals are the true ‘stars’ of GW.”