Thompson, Skains, White Are Staff Excellence Winners

Staff Excellence Award winners for 2007, from left, Joy Thompson, Jennifer Skains, Susan White, with SHSU President Jim Gaertner.

Jennifer Skains, Joy Thompson and Susan White have been selected as the recipients of the 2007 Staff Excellence Award for their outstanding work at Sam Houston State University.

Each recipient will be awarded $2,000 and will be recognized at the university's general faculty and staff meeting at the beginning of the fall semester.

Jennifer Skains

Jennifer Skains

Skains is secretary II in the Newton Gresham Library.  

"Jennifer is very efficient and scrupulous about details," said Paul Culp, associate professor and curator of the library's Thomason Room.   "She never needs a follow-up check to see that something is done as requested."

"Jennifer is always willing to help anyone that needs assistance who comes into the library," said Bruce Hall, assistant professor.   "She is extremely efficient in completing paper work such as travel vouchers for faculty.   It is always done as soon as possible.   She always has a positive attitude and outlook."

"Jennifer is more than a secretary to the library director.   She takes care of all of us in the library," said Ann Howington, assistant professor.   "Her positive attitude and love of her job truly stands out. She is a creative thinker whose suggestions, when offered to those of us working here, are usually very helpful."

"Jennifer is the most positive employee in the library," said Lynn McMain, reference librarian.   "She greets every person and situation with a warm, friendly smile.   She has an outstanding 'customer service' attitude toward students, faculty and community members."

Joy Thompson

Joy Thompson

Thompson is secretary III in the Department of Agricultural and Industrial Sciences.

"Mrs. Thompson consistently identifies ways to make our operations and procedures work smoothly," said Doug Ullrich, associate professor and interim chair of the Department of Agricultural and Industrial Sciences. "Her efficiency is illustrated in the ease at which she is able to manage our multitask environment.

"Her outstanding abilities include scheduling courses for 12 undergraduate and three graduate degrees, managing the travel budgets and supporting our recruiting program," he said.   "She schedules advisement appointments, organizes recruiting activities, manages the student scholarship accounts and student worker payroll.   Her whole focus is to make our system run efficiently which in turn will help make the students' educational experiences positive."

"Joy not only performs her duties with precision and efficiency, she comes to work every day with a smile on her face, ready to tackle the day and whatever challenges she may face," said Bobby Lane, professor and former chair of the department.   "She doesn't let problems weight her down, and she works very well with other offices across campus."

"Joy treats students fairly and with respect," said Dwayne Pavelock, assistant professor.   "She provides assistance first and then may suggest alternative means to accomplish a task.   But she never insults the student for seeking help."

"She is a very important part of our department's accomplishments," said Roger Hanagriff, associate professor.  "We have grown from approximately 500 agriculture students to 900 students in about three years, with less staff than we had before.   She has been a big part of our department's success."

Susan White

Susan White

White, who is the assistant to the dean of the College of Education, received high praise from both the faculty and staff with whom she works.

"Susan is always positive no matter how many times you ask her the same question," said Mary Berry, chair of Library Science.   "She supports the chairs with reminders of reports which are due and does this in a cheerful manner."

"Mrs. White is our role model in the College of Education," said Sherry Hirsch, administrative assistant to the dean.   "She strives for perfection, and in turn, this creates a trickle down effect for all others."

"There are five departments that are included in the College of Education," said Patricia Sprott, secretary III in Teacher Education.   "All of these departments have reports, budgets, personnel action forms, summer school projections, etc. that go to the dean's office before they go to the next step.  

"Susan reviews all of these and assists the secretary with the proper changes if changes need to be made.   She has such a positive attitude when showing you the changes, that you are motivated knowing that the task is going to be correct," Sprott said. "You don't even feel that the original was in error. This shows you how good her people skills are."

"Susan is bright, articulate and always professional," said Alice Fisher, chair of Health and Kinesiology. "She is very helpful to everyone, and she goes above and beyond to assist those in need.   She is never without refreshing and innovative ideas.   She is creative and is always sharing new and insightful ways to do things."

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SHSU Media Contact: Julia May
May 18, 2007
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