Baruch College Service Excellence Awards Winners

We have launched the First Annual Baruch College Service Excellence Awards
to recognize outstanding performance among our full-time, non-faculty
employees. The Office of Human Resources received nominations in support
of dozens of candidates campuswide. Today, I am delighted to announce our
six winners: Philip Brinson, Linda Moore, Jim Murphy, Anthony Petrokonis,
Pat Push, and Shelley Watson.

Each one's performance exemplifies the award's criteria:
* Job execution that consistently exceeds expectations
* Dedication to superior customer service, no matter the customer
* Initiative, creativity, and innovation in problem solving
* Efficiency that impacts the general productivity of his or her unit and
the College as a whole

Please join me in congratulating
The First Annual Service Excellence Award winners

PHILIP BRINSON, Mailroom Supervisor
"His dedication to service to the Baruch community frequently exceeds the
boundaries of the defined responsibilities of a mailroom supervisor" was
how David Garlock, director of purchasing and auxiliary services,
described Phil Brinson in his nominating letter. Brinson, who has worked
at the College for 13 years, has been recognized for his dedication to
keeping the mailroom customer oriented and up to date. He was also cited
for his excellent, ongoing work with Job Path, an agency that helps
developmentally disabled individuals secure employment and develop job
readiness and life skills. Brinson's work on behalf of the College not
only benefits Baruch but the wider community as well.

LINDA MOORE, Administrative Assistant, Department of Management
Professor of Management Richard Kopelman described Linda Moore as the
"epitome of excellence," citing "her remarkable work ethic, demonstrated
sense of responsibility and initiative, and organizational and
interpersonal skills" as the reasons behind his nomination. Seconding his
sentiments were colleague Professor Georghios Sphicas, who used such
honorific terms as "friendly," "efficient," "reassuring," "kind,"
"respectful," and "hard-working" to describe Moore's overall "service with
a smile" attitude these past 17 years.

JAMES MURPHY, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment
Jim Murphy, a 29-year veteran of Baruch College, was characterized by his
admirers--many of them students--as "caring," "respectful," "genuine,"
"warm," "easygoing," and even "amazing." All spoke of his willingness,
helpfulness, and superior listening and problem-solving skills. Several
nominations also came from the SEEK Program staff, one of whom wrote that
"Mr. Murphy believes that the greatness of our institution is dependent
upon how well it serves our students." In that case, Murphy's work goes a
long way to making this college the great institution that it is.

ANTHONY PETROKONIS, Administrative Assistant, Office of the Dean, School
of Public Affairs
Throughout his 18 years at Baruch, Anthony Petrokonis has worked in the
dean's offices of each of the schools of the College. His insider
knowledge and genuine commitment to the College as a whole have been
recognized by all who have worked with him. Dean Birdsell wrote that Tony
is "one of the most dedicated employees with whom it has ever been my
pleasure to serve at any level in any institution." The dean further
described Petrokonis as "tireless, selfless, and resonantly sane," coming
to work every day with "energy, enthusiasm, and an attention to detail."

PAT PUSH, Information Systems Associate, Media Resources, BCTC
For 20 years, Pat Push has been providing outstanding service to the
College through a host of job-impacting technological innovations. She was
nominated by one-time co-worker, now boss Katrina Flener, who described
her as dedicated, hardworking, and selfless: "People often get stressed
when they have to present in front of a large group using technology. But
Pat always makes the presenters and events coordinators feel comfortable
and taken care of. A competent technician, she is constantly using
creative initiative to problem solve." To support her nomination, Flener
added eight recent e-mailed thank-you's praising Push's performance.

SHELLEY WATSON, Administrative Assistant, Department of Law
A nine-year veteran in the Department of Law, Shelley Watson was nominated
resoundingly--by the department chair, professors, and adjuncts alike.
Gabriel Garnica, an adjunct assistant professor, said of Watson: "Simply
put, she makes working at the Department of Law much easier by her mere
presence and contribution. If she does not deserve this award, then
probably nobody does." Alice Palmisano, another adjunct, described her as
"unfailingly helpful, friendly, and kind." Law Professor Sandra Mullings
concurred: "Shelley handles all of her jobs with tact and aplomb. She
thinks ahead about what will facilitate departmental functions. She makes
it easier for all of us to do what we need to do."

My sincere appreciation and gratitude go out to these six inaugural
Service Excellence Award winners. I look forward to continuing this
tradition of merit-based recognition in the future.

These awards, which include a $1,000 prize, will be presented at the
Baruch College Employee Service Awards ceremony and reception this
Wednesday, April 26, at which time Baruch also recognizes the valued
members of the community who have served this institution for 10, 15, 20,
25, 30, 35, and over 35 years.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Waldron
President