Staff Appreciation Event celebrates excellence
Staff from all corners of the University gathered at Mobius Hall Aug. 22 for the annual staff appreciation breakfast. The event, sponsored by the General Staff Organization, drew about 200 staff members. Fifty-one staff members were recognized for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service. Sergeant Terry Rauch was recognized for his 40 years of service. Rauch is the last founding staff member to retire. See more pictures from the Staff Appreciation Breakfast on our Flickr gallery.
IAS lecturer Deborah Hathaway served as emcee for the event, which also featured staff pictures on the website Tagboard. View all the pictures on the UW Bothell Tagboard staff page.
Chancellor Wolf Yeigh thanked staff for their dedication to students and to the campus. He cited several large-scale campus accomplishments from the past year, including Commencement at Safeco Field, the transition to Workday and opening of the diversity center. “You made this campus possible. You made this campus grow. You will continue to make this a great place, Yeigh said.
Yeigh also referenced the campus-wide employee engagement initiative, which he believes will “move the entire campus forward.” He has held more than 14 listening sessions around campus and will continue to seek input. Get engaged by learning more about the employee engagement action plan.
In addition to campus accolades, Cindy Shirley, director of research, was recognized for her nomination for the University of Washington Distinguished Staff Award earlier this year.
The day’s final prize – the Staff Appreciation Award – was given to Christine Straight, program coordinator in the Eastside Learning Center. The Staff Appreciation Award is awarded by the Chancellor based on nominees recommended by a committee of the GSO. Criteria describe a person who displays excellence in work performance, enhances the University to students, represents UW Bothell in the best light and contributes to UW Bothell mission and goals.
Straight was celebrated for her work in mentoring hundreds of students. One nomination read, “she is an excellent representative of her unit; she always goes the extra mile.” Another said, “she is an outstanding advocate for students. Enrollment has increased due to her work.”
A two-time graduate of UW Bothell, Straight holds a bachelor’s degree in society, ethics and human behavior and a master’s degree in arts and cultural studies. She says UW Bothell’s commitment to access is one of the reasons she loves her job. “I almost didn’t go to college myself,” she says. “I was a transfer student and found that UW Bothell was the place for me. I developed a connection with faculty and had opportunities for leadership.”
Straight says she appreciates the opportunity to help students realize within themselves 'you can do this.' She says the ELC is small enough to allow her to work with many students. “I really enjoy my job. I’m grateful for opportunity to have such a good fit.”
