Human Resource Services
2001 Superior Accomplishment Award Winners
Learn more about the Superior Accomplishment Award and the nomination process
Faculty
Michael J. Burridge, Professor, Pathobiology
Michael Burridge has made a tremendous impact on the development of research studies at the College of Veterinary Medicine and was recognized for this with a Superior Accomplishment Award in the faculty category. As a research team leader, he is responsible for a diverse, multi-million dollar, international research program involving assembling a team with required skills and interest to tackle complex problems. Nominators stated that Burridge is a very focused individual with a great drive to succeed in all endeavors. He has been a significant, active, and critical partner in the emerging threat to human and animal health in the United States. His program has not been easy to maintain and required the establishment, staffing, and supervision of not only local operations but also of a research laboratory in Zimbabwe, Africa. This involved working with authorities in different countries, obtaining support, and working with legislators in Washington for funding. External funding in this area has totaled more than $22 million under his leadership. The university is very fortunate to have this scientist and faculty member. Congratulations, Michael Burridge!
Administrative & Professional
Lynda M. Reinhart, Assistant Director, Stephen C. O'Connell Center
The recipient of this year's Superior Accomplishment Award in the A&P category really fits all of the criteria of an exceptional employee at the University of Florida. This year's winner is Lynda Reinhart. Among the thirty-one letters and e-mails of support from students, faculty, fellow staff, and community members (even from as far away as Alaska), the common thread in describing Reinhart is one of "the brightest star with an incredible work ethic." Her nomination packet includes more accolades and praise, one even stating that after 30 years of working in the field, he ranks our winner as being in the top one percent internationally! Having started as a student employee and advancing to an assistant director, Reinhart is praised not only from users of the O'Connell Center, but also from fellow staff, having earned their highest regard and respect. Congratulations, Lynda Reinhart!
USPS Clerical/Office Support
Dorothy J. (DJ) Brunson–Senior Secretary, Medical Alumni Affairs, College of Medicine
The recipient of the 2001 Superior Accomplishment Award in this category is considered the "voice" of her office to many of the 9,500 people who make telephone inquiries to Medical Alumni Affairs. She's the recognizable name and face as the primary greeter at the many events hosted by her office for the college. She is described by one nominator as "positive, frank, loving, friendly, conscientious, honest, and endearing."
In addition to her excellent phone demeanor and people skills, she is a dedicated, loyal employee who works independently, exhibiting leadership and initiative in making decisions and handling responsibilities. One nominator stated her work ethic this way: "No necessary task is too trivial to command her attention, and no challenging task is too difficult for her effort." This employee has been described as a "pillar of strength and courage [with] will power and determination to move mountains. She is an admirable person, indeed. She emulates glowing success and self-assuredness in the workplace which never wanes."
USPS Support Service
Raymond Roske, Maintenance Mechanic, FMEL--Vero Beach
This year's winner in the category of USPS Support Service, which covers custodial and maintenance staff, is Ray Roske. Roske has been described as diligent, skillful, and invaluable. According to his nomination packet, he has devised innovative procedures for overcoming difficulties and keeps a positive, cooperative attitude even when responding to unreasonable requests from staff and faculty. He also brings a purposeful dedication to his responsibilities and is highly motivated to learn and try out effective new techniques and changes in routine. In addition to regular job duties, which include major and minor projects for which most units must contract special services, over the past year, Roske was instrumental in completing a major educational project that serves as a public display, and he helped install a new telephone system that saved thousands in installation costs. This employee has a strong sense of ethics and does not hesitate to bring up various issues of safety. One reviewer extolled that in his 31 years at the University of Florida, no other worker has been as dedicated, helpful, and talented as this maintenance worker.
USPS Scientific/Technical
Investigator Darren J. Baxley of the University Police Department
This year's recipient of the Superior Accomplishment Award in the Scientific/Technical category is Darren Baxley. The primary focus for this award is the leadership and personal sacrifice displayed "in the line of duty" by Baxley. In the past year, Baxley has undertaken one of the greatest challenges of his career and, in doing so, has sacrificed a quarter of the year away from home and family. As many Gator fans will recall, illegal sports agent activity at the University of Florida has been under investigation over the past year or so. Once immersed in the UF investigation, it was clear to Baxley that there was more to it than what meets the eye. He has worked with the FBI; US Attorney's Office; the IRS; law enforcement agencies in South Carolina, Louisiana, Florida State University, and Auburn University; and many other agencies in the pursuit of criminals that prey on our young athletes. To date, the investigation has resulted in the arrests and charges against many suspects, not only at UF but throughout the southeast. Scams that bilked over 13.9 million dollars from athletes have been uncovered. This is largely due to the untiring efforts of Baxley. The following quote from one of his colleagues best describes the sacrifices, commitment, and outstanding accomplishment of this individual - "He has done so for the betterment of the University of Florida, the police department, and student athletes that are preyed upon by unscrupulous characters that traverse the innerworkings of college athletics."
USPS Administrative/Supervisory
Sheri Geoghegan, Senior Veterinary Care Manager, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
Sheri Geoghegan is the recipient of this year's Superior Accomplishment Award in the USPS Administrative and Supervisory category. In the summer of 1999, Geoghegan was hired into a difficult situation where both the physical condition and the employee morale in the operating areas were at an all time low. In approximately 14 months, this employee was instrumental in turning the situation around to the point that the operating room has been completely renovated, instruments are regularly serviced and in good working condition, and perhaps most importantly, employees are cordial, helpful, and truly subscribe to the team approach. A nominator, who happens to be the chief of Geoghegan's division, has said that what she has accomplished in such a short period of time is one of the most incredible turnarounds he has ever witnessed in the academic environment. A department chair has noted that this awardee's performance has been nothing short of miraculous. Another nominator said that this individual possesses the Human Resources management skills, motivation, and ability to accomplish the goals that would easily place her in the upper management ranks of Fortune 500 companies. Congratulations, Sheri Geoghegan!
Gabor Award Winners
Jackie R. Coleman, Custodian, George A. Smathers Libraries
Jackie Coleman has, in the words of nominators, been "far and away the best of the custodians" and "no one compares to her in job performance." She is "professional to her fingertips." Even after the unexpected death of her husband, when returning to work, Coleman took time to ask a nominator about the nominator's children, just as always. Congratulations, Jackie Coleman!
Wendy H. Griffin, Senior Computer Support Specialist, Indian River Research and Education Center
Wendy Griffin is the single full-time source of technical computer support for the Indian River Research and Education Center which has increased in size to approximately 70 people over the last two years. Among other things, she has completely revised and updated the web site of the center, maintained the center's computer lab, and maybe most importantly, chosen to remain with the center despite receiving a number of opportunities to go elsewhere. That is because she feels challenged by her position and "feels at home as a member of (the) team."
Linda S. Opper, Secretary, Department of History
Linda Opper has performed an extraordinary service to her department, a service which might even be termed "heroic." With the departure of several key Human Resources, Opper was required to carry on the duties of office manager; receptionist; and secretary to the chair, associate chair, undergraduate coordinator, and to most of the faculty of the department. A nominator says that this "quietly professional but extraordinary employee" held everything together during a time of transition for the History Department.
Dian Studstill, Office Manager, Department of Economics
Quoting the nominators, Dian Studstill is "a truly superb office manager" who is described by her own chairperson as an effective supervisor of her chair rather than vice versa. Described as an extraordinarily valuable administrative asset, her praises are sung far and wide across the entire UF campus, across the SUS system, and across major national and international research granting agencies.
HRH Award Winners
Kathy Carnes, Senior Accountant, University Police Department
Kathy Carnes was honored as her department's support person of the year for 2000. She was left all alone during the closure of the university by Hurricane Floyd to handle a very complex payroll cycle for 160 full-time and 20 part-time positions and did it exceptionally well. In the absence of the business manager due to a parental leave, she conducted the duties of her supervisor, her subordinate, and herself.
Ryan W. Vaughn, Senior Engineer, NERDC
Ryan Vaughn was the first UF employee to earn the prestigious Cisco Certified Design Professional certification and has excelled in his management of UF's large, complex computer network. Described as a superlative ambassador for UF, this individual is committed to customer service, infused with a positive attitude that has never faltered during a technically and politically challenging project.