Human Resource Services

2003 Superior Accomplishment Award Winners


Learn more about the Superior Accomplishment Award and the nomination process

USPS Clerical and Office Support
Margaret Foust, Program Assistant, University Police Department

Margaret Foust has a combination of energy and dedication that is rare, and she consistently performs beyond expectations. She volunteered to take on two new projects of considerable size, fully outside the scope of her position. Covering these new tasks freed others in the department to focus more on the heart of the department's external duties. These projects were described as extremely time consuming with a demand for absolute accuracy. Despite having taken on these new duties, she effectively covered two full-time positions within the department due to extended leaves of absence.

USPS Support Service
Bill Mikulski, Locksmith, Physical Plant Division

Bill Mikulski's nominator describes him as "always being there when needed." He regularly takes the initiative to impart knowledge to new people, which benefits the department and saves supervisors' training time. He devotes more time and effort than is expected from even the finest employee. Some examples of his commitment to customers include taking doors away from an area before working on them to limit the creation of dust particles in offices; making repairs late at night and on weekends; removing and reapplying of every sign in the Computer Sciences Building to meet ADA standards (sign work is not in his job description); and volunteering to fix a leaky roof (not in his job description).

USPS Scientific and Technical
Fran Fiorello, Computer Programmer Analyst, Reitz Union Network Services

Fran Fiorello is described as always cheerful, optimistic, frank, and when all else fails, humorous. Her associate director wrote that she "has an uncanny ability to listen to the needs of customers and then quickly translate all of the information gathered into products that exactly meet those needs." She regularly makes very complicated systems and processes appear simple to customers. She possesses the qualities that make an organization "sing" and is professional, knowledgeable, resourceful, dedicated, cooperative, and personable.

USPS Administrative and Supervisory
Marsha Swilley, Clerical Supervisor, College of Veterinary Medicine

Marsha Swilley's department chair describes her job as one of the toughest on campus. She is the first person contacted by clients, practicing doctors referring challenging cases, and academicians across the country seeking consultation with UF faculty. Letter after letter has confirmed that she is the indispensable pillar of the department on which clients, students, and faculty rely with great confidence. Faculty members in the department have come to rely on her to effectively deal with client complaints. Often these complaints are loud and rude, but they are all handled in the same calm, reassuring way, positively promoting the approachability of the department.

Administrative and Professional
Debra Anderson, Coordinator, International Student Services, International Center

An academic advisor, advocate, and friend to thousands of students, Debra Anderson's charisma, altruism, and willingness to help are an inspiration. Her level of excellence makes a notable difference in the international scholars' attitudes as they form opinions and impressions about the University of Florida and the United States, which are carried to every part of the globe. In the wake of the tragedy of September 11, she worked tirelessly amidst all the confusion, demonstrating enormous control and attention to international students. She opened the doors of the office as well as the doors of her home, becoming a parental figure to thousands of students who found in her the strength to focus on their activities.

Faculty Service
Sandra Chance, Associate Professor, College of Journalism and Communications

The executive associate dean of the college wrote that Sandra Chance is a major reason why the college's graduate program is recognized as one of the best in the nation. Teaching, however, is only a small part of the contribution she brings to the university. A national society of her colleagues was so impressed with one project she oversaw that it now considers the project to be a national prototype. This society is encouraging the other 49 states to start similar programs. She is regularly sought out nationally for speeches and workshops on issues in her area of expertise, including invitations from the US State Department to visit developing democracies to help relay the importance of freedom of information laws.

Gabor Recognition Award winners receiving $500
Carol Binello, Administrative Assistant, CLAS, Office of the Dean

Carol Binello has a strong work ethic, and her work is always of excellent quality. Her efforts are described as the "highest level of perfection," and she is recognized as a bridge between her office and the rest of the college.

Elaine Green, Program Assistant, Educational Psychology

Elaine Green, in the words of her department chair, "manages the responsibilities of three positions." Despite a heavy workload, she is the model of accuracy and consistency. She also is a favorite among faculty and students because of her a positive attitude and dedication.

Randy Burton, Farm Supervisor, IFAS, Indian River REC, Ft. Pierce

Randy Burton is described as an outstanding leader and a person of integrity. His ever-present, positive attitude promotes good morale throughout the entire center.

Karen Navitsky, Computer Support Analyst, Information Systems

To deal with system changes in Finance and Administration, Karen Navitsky almost single-handedly re-wrote key training tools for departments in finance and accounting. In the words of one co-worker, this winner "turns out an outstanding product, saving developers countless hours of time."

HRH Recognition Award winners receiving $500
Mark Gooch, Biological Scientist, IFAS, Plant Pathology

Despite significant staffing cuts to the department, Mark Gooch consistently performed many additional duties to keep the clinic running efficiently. He is described as an indispensable person of strong character whose presence in academia has been and will continue to be of great value to many students in the Department of Plant Pathology.

Grace Kiltie, Grants Assistant, Department of Chemistry

Grace Kiltie is described as a self-taught programmer responsible for writing a program that saves her department 15 hours of work each month. Her diligence and hard work have resulted in the department never having to declare an account uncollectible.

Jason Haugh, Farm Manager, IFAS, Environmental Horticulture

Heralded as an essential and positive force within the department, Jason Haugh is remarkably dedicated to the university. One of the largest groups that benefits from his knowledge and generosity are students. One student said he "always stops what he is doing to make a student's problem his number one concern."

Roxy Hoover, Maintenance Superintendent, IFAS, Citrus REC, Lake Alfred

Roxy Hoover excelled in trouble-shooting and solving maintenance problems in spite of a small staff and decreased budget. One employee wrote, "He is always willing to give a hand mentally or physically and doesn't hesitate to grab a shovel and jump in a hole with the rest of us."