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2009 Staff Excellence Award Recipients Named

President Jim Gaertner recently recognized the 2009 Staff Excellence Award recipients. They include (from left) Susan Hayes, Randi Clower and Evelyn Hasouris-Turner.

Three Sam Houston State University employees have been selected as recipients of the 2009 Staff Excellence Award.

They are Evelyn Hasouris-Turner of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Randi Clower of the Department of Language, Literacy and Special Populations, and Susan Hayes of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Three awards are given annually to full-time staff members who excel in their job duties through excellence in service, proven commitment, meritorious performance and high level of motivation. Staff members are selected based on nominations by their peers, supervisor and members of the SHSU faculty.
In addition to a plaque of recognition, each recipient will be honored during the general university meeting at the beginning of the fall semester and awarded a $2,000 bonus.

Evelyn Hasouris-Turner

Hasouris-Turner is an administrative assistant in the office of the dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and has been employed at SHSU for 12 years.

Among the comments supporting her nomination for the honor were:

“The Dean’s Office sees a constant stream of students. She always attempts to see to the needs of the students and answers their questions or directs them to someone who can. She is a student oriented worker realizing that the students are the primary reason for the university.”

“Evelyn took on several new and challenging job duties with the opening of the new College of Humanities and Social Sciences building this year. She is already responsible for purchasing, travel, and many other duties within the Dean’s Office. With the building opening, she also took on the job of organizing the move to the new building.”

“She has a pleasant, positive attitude. Her motivation appears to be her desire to be truly helpful, even with people who lack her special qualities. When she agrees to do something, you need not worry about it again. Her smile is infections and she never makes one feel as if one is a burden.”

“Evelyn is a pleasure to work with and has a drive to exceed the expectations of others. She arrives early, stays late, and helps provide students with valuable information in a friendly and positive manner.”

Randi Clower

Clower is a secretary III in the Department of Language Literacy and Special Populations and has been an SHSU employee for five years.
Comments supporting her nomination included:

“Ms. Clower exhibits top-notch skills in all aspects of her responsibilities as the secretary to the department chair. No request is too difficult for her, and she works tirelessly to do her best work on every task. She is extremely dependable and accurate in the work she produces.”

“Her excellent people skills with the faculty, staff, and students are highly beneficial to them all. She handles stressful situations and looks at each opportunity as a way to improve the department.”

“Randi is outstanding in her ability to analyze a task, foresee problems, develop proactive solutions, and take care of all tasks that are given to her.”

“Randi knows the workings of the department, college and university. She runs the office like a well-oiled machine, and student workers are professional and busy due to her talents. Randi also is extremely conscientious and stays in the office until the job is done.”

Susan Hayes

Hayes is a secretary III for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She has been employed at Sam Houston State for six years.
Some of the comments supporting her nomination were:

“Mrs. Hayes is able to handle many job responsibilities at the same time, and can be depended upon without reservation to take care of her tasks in a timely and efficient manner.”

“She is highly respected by our faculty and the other staff members. She eagerly works with other staff members to answer their questions and help them complete projects. She assists with professional writing, organization and problem solving. She is a leader for the staff in our building as well as in other colleges.”

“Susan has always been available and most willing to explain the countless procedures that a new employee needs to know. She does this in an efficient and reassuring manner. Her willingness to help students and faculty alike is evident in the friendly, professional, and collegial atmosphere of our offices."

“Susan often engages in assignments that are not required of her position. She has a comprehensive knowledge of all of our programs and courses, and actively uses this knowledge to advise and assist our students. Additionally, she monitors our students’ progress on admittance to the Educator Preparation Program. She emails those who are lacking requirements to inform them of what actions they need to take to be fully admitted. This practice was created and implemented by Susan, and has made a major improvement in our advising and methods placement.”

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SHSU Media Contacts: Julia May
May 11, 2008
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