October Auggie Pride Winners

Congratulations to our Auggie Pride Award winners for the month of October, Emily Long, Ashley Adegeye, Elizabeth Charnell, staff members in residence life. Emily, Ashley, and Elizabeth created a smooth and seamless opening of the residence halls this year and they created a community of belonging with their student staff. They prioritized the student staff experience, challenging them with great expectations and supporting them with great care. These three individuals embody Auggie Pride and the staff senate is happy to recognize their amazing work. Congratulations Emily, Ashley, and Elizabeth!!

2021 Outstanding Staff Recipients

The winners of the 2021 Outstanding Staff awards are:

Outstanding Newcomer Award:
Kate Gray, Strommen Center

Outstanding Staff Awards:
Beth Carlson,
Center for Wellness and Counseling
Babette Chatman,
Campus Ministry
Mike Fetting,
Student Affairs
Jack Hein,
Admissions
Denielle Stepka,
Marketing & Communication

 

Staff Senate thanks all of the nominators for their work in gathering nominees and recommendations. We also thank those who were nominated and recognize the great work that all staff have exhibited to be nominated by their peers.

You can view the presentation here

2020 Outstanding Staff Award Recipients

The winners of the 2020 Outstanding Staff awards are:

Outstanding Newcomer Award:
Max Poessnecker
, LGBTQIA+ Student Services and Equity & Inclusion Initiatives

Outstanding Staff Awards:
Hana Dinku
, Pan-Afrikan Center
Lonna Field, Christensen Center for Vocation
Eric Graham, Facilities
Allyson Green, Sabo Center
Marah Jacobson-Schulte, Provost’s Office

Staff Senate thanks all of the nominators for their work in gathering nominees and recommendation letters. We also thank those who were nominated and recognize the great work that all staff have exhibited to be nominated by their peers.

You can view the slideshow here

2019 Outstanding Staff Award Recipients

The winners of the 2019 Outstanding Staff awards are:

Outstanding Newcomer Award:
Stewart Van Cleve
, Library

Outstanding Staff Awards:
Kristina Fruge
, Christensen Center for Vocation
Bryan Massich, Facilities Management
Lisa Raetz, Biology
Jennifer Simon, American Indian Student Services
Ann Marie Yacobucci, Education Department

Staff Senate thanks all of the nominators for their work in gathering nominees and recommendation letters. We also thank those who were nominated and recognize the great work that all 19 staff have exhibited to be nominated by their peers.

Outstanding staff winners gather for a group photo
[L to R]: Ann Marie Yacobucci, President Paul C. Pribbenow, Stewart Van Cleve, Kristina Fruge, Bryan Massich, and Jennifer Simon. [Not pictured]: Lisa Raetz

2018 Outstanding Staff Award Recipients

The winners of the 2018 Outstanding Staff awards are:

Outstanding Newcomer Award:
Emily Reinert, Strommen Career and Internship Center

Outstanding Staff Awards:
Sarah Cash-Darvell, University Events
Kris Connell, Athletics Facilities
David Hamilton, Center for Global Education and Experience
Ron Kurpiers, Library
Joe Mann, Marketing and Communications

Staff Senate thanks all of the nominators for their work in gathering nominees and recommendation letters. We also thank those who were nominated and recognize the great work that all 17 staff have exhibited to be nominated by their peers.

The 2018 Outstanding Staff Award winners
[L to R]: Kris Connell, Joe Mann, Emily Reinert, Ron Kurpiers, Sarah Cash-Darnell, and President Paul C. Pribbenow
Outstanding Staff Award recipient, David Hamilton with Staff Senate member Theresa Gade
Outstanding Staff Award recipient, David Hamilton with Staff Senate member Theresa Gade

Outstanding Staff Award Recipients

2017 Outstanding Staff award winners
And the winners of the 2017 Outstanding Staff awards are:

Outstanding Newcomer Award:
MARA KILGORE,
Academic Affairs

Outstanding Staff Awards:
NATE HALLANGER, Academic Affairs
VERLON MOSES, Custodial Services
DEVON ROSS, Undergraduate Admissions
DENNIS STUCKEY, Facilities Management
BILL WITTENBREER, Library

Staff Senate thanks all of the nominators for their work in gathering nominees and recommendation letters. We also thank those who were nominated and recognize the great work that all 15 staff have exhibited to be nominated by their peers.


Top image [L to R]: President Paul C. Pribbenow, Mara Kilgore, Dennis Stuckey, Nate Hallanger, Verlon Moses, Bill Wittenbreer, and Devon Ross

Photos courtesy of Mark Chamberlain

Staff Appreciation FAQ

What are the Staff Appreciation Awards?

The Outstanding Staff Award is intended to recognize exceptional Augsburg staff members who exemplify the mission statement of the College through their actions. Recipients of this award consistently go above and beyond the call of duty by providing exceptional service to others and/or making innovative and outstanding contributions to enhance the objectives of their department or the Augsburg community.

Who is eligible?

All full-time and part-time staff that carry a regular FTE as designated by Human Resources, as well as union staff, are eligible to receive the Outstanding Staff Awards. Current Staff Senators and staff members who have received this award in the past three years are not eligible.

How many staff members are recognized?

Up to 6 staff members are recognized each year. Because there are more than 6 divisions, not all divisions will be represented in the recipients chosen for the awards; however, consideration will be given to make sure that the recipients represent a wide array of staff members at the College.

How can a staff member be nominated?

To be considered for this award, the nominee must have a complete nomination packet that includes:

  • A nomination form (online)
  • At least two letters of recommendation (emailed or delivered in person)

Nominations may be submitted from any current staff, faculty, or student at Augsburg College; however, self-nominations are not allowed. Faculty and staff may nominate people either within or outside their own divisions. The letters of recommendation should specifically describe how the nominated staff member meets the criteria stated above.

Division Vice Presidents are encouraged to nominate a minimum of two staff members from their respective divisions to ensure the pool of nominees represents a wide array of staff members at the College.

What are the Staff Appreciation Letter of Recommendation Guidelines?

A minimum of two Augsburg Faculty, Staff, or Students must submit letters of recommendation for a nominee to be eligible.  All letters of recommendation must be submitted no later than 10 a.m. on Friday, February 10. Letters may be:

* Emailed to Jim Matthias at matthias@augsburg.edu.
OR
* Delivered to Foss 17A  (Lower Level).

Each letter should explain how the staff person exemplifies the mission statement of the College through their actions, as well as how this person consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty by providing exceptional service to others and/or making innovative and outstanding contributions to enhance the objectives of their department or the Augsburg community.

Letters of Recommendation should be well written, between 3-5 paragraphs in length. The selection of individuals to receive the Staff Appreciation Awards from a pool of highly deserving staff members is an inherently difficult task. The more specific information you can include, in a concise manner, regarding why the nominee should receive the award, the easier it will be for the selection committee to accurately assess their outstanding work.

Who reviews the nominations?

The Staff Appreciation Awards Selection Committee is composed of all current Staff Senators, as well as 1-3 recipients of the previous year’s Outstanding Staff Awards.

Will staff be notified if they have been nominated? And will letters of recommendation be provided to the nominees?

Yes and yes. All nominees will be notified the week of February 13, 2017. Nominees will be provided their letters of recommendation after the Staff Appreciation Awards.

When will the 2016 Outstanding Staff Award recipients be announced?

All recipients will be announced at the Staff Appreciation Awards on Thursday, March 2 from 2–4 p.m. in the Hoversten Chapel.

Staff Appreciation Awards 2017

staff-awardsThursday, March 2 from 2–4 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel

Every year Staff Senate has the benefit of hosting the amazing Augsburg Staff Appreciation Awards. Upon feedback from you, we have a small change for this year’s awards.

As you may know, we currently award six Outstanding Staff Awards based on nomination letters we receive. This year, within the current six awards given, one award will be designated the “Newcomer Award.”  The Newcomer Award will be awarded to an Augsburg staff member who is within their first two years of employment at Augsburg. Nominees who fit within this criterion will be only eligible/considered for the Newcomer award and thus not eligible for the traditional Outstanding Staff Award. We will pilot the change this year and we will seek your feedback at the end of the academic year.

The reason for this new category is because every year Staff Senate receives so many amazing nomination letters for our brilliant colleagues.  It has become increasingly difficult to attempt to weigh the difference between a colleague who makes an immediate impact within the first couple of years at Augsburg and a colleague who deserves recognition for amazing work over a longer period of time.  In an attempt to be able to honor both, and with your feedback, we thought this would be a great category to kick off for a trial run in 2017. Thanks for your feedback and let’s give this a try!

As a reminder, nominations for Outstanding Staff Awards will be open Tuesday, January 24 through Friday, February 10. Nominate a staff member using the online form.

Diversity and Inclusion Certificate recipients are also awarded during the Staff Appreciation Awards. Individuals developing and growing in their intercultural competence is a foundational piece of any institution’s move towards full inclusion and equity. Find out more information about the Certificate Program at the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity website. To register for the Certificate Program complete the online form.

Outstanding Staff Awards Survey

We are interested in some feedback about the awards given out every year at our Staff Appreciation event. Staff Senate strives to continue the growth of this event and the award opportunities that come with it and your input is key to making that happen. Take our two question survey.

Outstanding Staff Awards Announced

Outstanding Staff Awards 2014
From left, President Paul C. Pribbenow, Nancy Shaeffer, Jodi Collen, Martha Truax, Scott Krajewski, Crystal Comer, and Abennet Tulu

Staff Senate would like to congratulate the recipients of this year’s Outstanding Staff Award.

Jodi Collen – Director, Event and Conference Planning

Crystal Comer – Registrar, Registrar’s Office

Scott Krajewski – Director, Information Technology

Nancy Shaeffer – Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions

Martha Truax – Director of Annual Giving, Development

Abennet Tulu – Custodian, Custodial Services

The Staff Appreciation Program is intended to recognize exceptional Augsburg staff members who exemplify the mission statement of the College through their actions. Recipients of the Outstanding Staff Award consistently go above and beyond the call of duty by providing exceptional service to others and/or making innovative and outstanding contributions to enhance the objectives of their department or the Augsburg community.