Missouri Southern announces Superior Service Awards

(From Southern News Service)

Four Missouri Southern State University employees were honored with the Superior Service Award during the annual Employee Appreciation Brunch on Friday, Dec. 20.

These non-faculty staff members were singled out for the exceptional service they provide and the outstanding contribution they make as university employees.

 NON-EXEMPT (HOURLY) EMPLOYEES:

 Amber Lewis, Webb City

Counselor in the Financial Aid Department
Joined MSSU on Jan. 8, 2007

Arleen Thomas, Joplin

Custodian

Joined MSSU on Sept. 11, 2007

 EXEMPT (SALARIED) EMPLOYEES:

 Stephanie Hopkins, Baxter Springs, Kan.

Director of the Student Success Center
Joined MSSU on Aug. 16, 1995

 Alicia Hughes, Diamond

Bursar
Joined MSSU on Jan. 19, 2004

 “The program started in 1997 to showcase the great work of staff employees and we’ve continued it every year,” said Debbie Dutch Kelley, director of human resources and chair of the Superior Service Award nomination committee. “We also acknowledge individuals whose service to the university has reached milestones in five-year increments.”

 Nominations for the awards come from employees, faculty, students and even alumni and board members, she said. The nominations are then reviewed by a committee made up of winners from the previous two years and a representative of the Staff Senate.

 Each of the four employees honored received a plaque and a check for $750. The awards are funded by the Missouri Southern Foundation.

 “The Foundation is very generous and supportive of our program,” said Dutch Kelley.

 The 2013 Years of Service honorees were:

 Forty years: Barbara Spencer.

 Twenty-five years: Catherine Arnall, Jerry Hodgson and Becky Wiley.

 Twenty years: David Barrow, Cheryl Dobson, Lisa Robinson, Linda Steele, Olive Talley and Rob Yust.

 Fifteen years: Rita Boyer, Carolyn Carter, Melanie Epperson, Dale Fletcher, Greg Killingsworth, Don Ross, Stephen E. Smith, Al Stadler and Harvetta Way Freeman.

 Ten years: Denice Brown, Michael Davies, Josh Doak, Linda Garza, Ellen Gibson, Darin Moore and Julie Wengert.

 Five years: Angela Bennett, Heather Bullock, Ross Collins, Jennifer Head, David Hoosier, Randy Hopper, Aaron Lewis, Sandra Lovett, Frank Martinez, Juan Moreno, Cindy Myers, Matthew Myers, Scott Snell, James Strother and Nikki Tappana.