Human Resource Services

2005 Superior Accomplishment Award Winners


Learn more about the Superior Accomplishment Award and the nomination process

More than 300 employees gathered at the J. Wayne Reitz Union's Grand Ballroom on March 30 for the 2005 Superior Accomplishment Awards ceremony. This annual program recognizes staff and faculty members who contribute outstanding and meritorious service, efficiency and/or economy, or to the quality of life for students and employees.

The following individuals received the Superior Accomplishment Awards' highest honors and were awarded with a $1,500 check, a commemorative plaque, a DVD of the ceremony, and an invitation to the President’s Box during an upcoming UF home football game:

Clerical/Office Support
Amanda Foote, Senior Secretary with the Department of Health Education and Behavior



Some of Amanda’s accomplishments include:

Her immediate supervisor wrote that it was her “intuition and over the top contributions that created a system of check lists, important dates, and information that streamlined the processes required of the graduate program and resulted in the students’ having a much better understanding of their requirements.” The supervisor goes on to say, Amanda “recognizes the need to benefit the department and program, without compromising her excellent performance of other duties.” The department chair writes, “Amanda has the ability to identify and resolve on a case-by-case basis, the problems regarding the status of individual students,” and “she represents the department with distinction.”

Support Services
Ms. Blanche Arroyo, Custodial Worker with the J. Wayne Reitz Union



Ms. Arroyo’s director had this to say: “Blanche’s job is one of the toughest on this campus. While many of our staff are discouraged by the constant demand for their services, Blanche manages to keep on smiling!” He goes on to say, she “fulfills the critical role of being a goodwill ambassador to all our patrons and employees.” Another colleague noted that Blanche, “always helps out and covers shifts if there is a hole in the schedule.” A representative from one of the departments served by Ms. Arroyo, wrote, “I’ve never seen her at rest: it’s amazing.” She goes on to say, “I am continually impressed by her professionalism and her positive outlook, she encourages her co-workers to raise the level of their performance both directly and by example.”

Scientific/Technical
Hans Pfalzgraf, Building Construction Inspector with the Department of Housing and Residence Education



Colleagues have used the following words to describe Mr. Pfalzgraf: Dedicated, determined, excellent, dedicated, timely, accurate, prepared, committed, dedicated, resolved, positive, respected, dedicated…you’ll notice that “dedicated” is used more than once. Clearly there is a pattern here.

When a project critical to the safety, well-being, and overall university experience for a number of our students, was in danger of not being completed, Hans stepped up. One colleague wrote that Hans, through no fault of his own, inherited a situation with “insufficient staffing, no on-site supervision, no organizational coordination, and no scheduling.” Despite the difficult situation, he organized and led a crew of equally dedicated staffers, working from 6am to 11pm daily, for over three weeks to get the project completed. While many worked together for the good of these students, all involved agreed that the project would not have been completed without the hard work and dedication of Mr. Pfalzgraf.

Administrative/Supervisory
Cindy Powell, Accountant with the Department of Psychology



Remarkable, extraordinary, and efficient are the adjectives used to describe Ms. Powell. She:

In addition to these things, when the department was faced with the unexpected loss of a key employee, Cindy anticipated the pinch the loss would cause and stepped in to complete the extra work. The department chair wrote, “Right now, literally as I write this letter, Cindy is doing both her own job and the job of our office manager. And how is she doing it? By working day and night, weekdays and weekends. Why Cindy? Because I know that if it absolutely, positively must be done right and on time, she will figure out a way to get it done.”
One professor in the department wrote that Cindy is at least “two standard deviations above all other financial departmental support staff I have encountered at the other major universities at which I have worked.”

Administrative/Professional
Jeff Chenery, Assistant Director with the Stephen C. O’Connell Center



Jeff has an “exceptional ability to manage a multitude of details and react quickly to unforeseen challenges.” Imagine if you will the pressure of being in charge of a project where if it doesn’t go well, the president of the university, various vice-presidents, members of the board of trustees, and thousands of students will likely be very upset. That is serious pressure. Jeff Chenery thrives on it, and regularly surpasses all kinds of unrealistic expectations. An Associate Provost wrote of one such occasion, “The stakes were very high. I’m glad we had this Jeff on the team. He made me proud to be a part of a university that inspires such loyalty and dedication and that is able to retain its most talented people.”
On one occasion, the Registrar approached Jeff with a huge task and very little time in which to complete it. He wrote, “I’ll never forget the Jeff’s response. Not a flinch, wince or a blink of the eyes. Instead he simply said that it would be possible.” Looking back on the event, the registrar went on to say, “to this day I am amazed at how all the necessary people and equipment seemingly materialized overnight to make the event successful. The number one reason it happened was Jeff Chenery.”

Academic Personnel
Andrew Wehle, Assistant Instructor in the College of Design, Construction and Planning



Mr. Wehle’s packet had multiple letters of support from students that he directly serves. The letters from the students consistently indicated how fortunate they felt to have had his guidance. Each went on to indicate that Andrew was instrumental to their success at the University of Florida. These students described him as: A grounding force, selfless, devoted, genuine, approachable, knowledgeable, helpful, encouraging, sound, willing, compassionate, accommodating, and solid.
One colleague wrote “I have been impressed with Andrew’s leadership ability, knowledge of university practices, strong sense of responsibility for our students, and commitment to the college.”

An associate dean described Andrew’s volunteer work in the University Minority Mentoring Program, “Participating in this program is a labor of love demonstrating a commitment to creating a diverse campus environment at the University of Florida.”
One of the students in that program wrote, “The nominee gave me something very valuable that most people wouldn’t: time.”

Jeffrey A. Gabor Employee Recognition Award
winners receiving $500

William Mikulski, Locksmith with the Physical Plant Division



Mr. Mikulski was described by one dean as “exceptionally user friendly.” Another colleague wrote, “He is the most reliable and conscientious employee in my area. His dedication and caring about getting the job completed in a professional manner is exemplified in his everyday performance.” He is always cheerful even when called in the middle of the night to report to work for an emergency situation.

Dr. Ruperto Perez,
Clinical Assistant Professor with the University Counseling Center



Dr. Perez takes considerable effort to create a warm, welcoming environment for the provision of clinical services while maintaining the highest standards of his profession in service delivery. This past year he took over considerable additional caseload in such an unassuming manner that it was transparent to his immediate supervisor, until the end of term reports were reviewed.

Corinna Greene, Office Manager for the Center for African Studies



A visiting faculty member wrote to our Ms. Greene of her service, “I am grateful and deeply impressed. You deserve a standing ovation!” One nominator wrote, “the generosity of spirit and the commitment with which you approached your multiple tasks were a continuing inspiration.” Corinna’s director believes that her success is in large part due to her keen interest in the well being for the Center for African Studies.

Randy Settle, Associate Controller with the University of Florida Foundation



Mr. Settle’s Vice President wrote, “Randy is the type of employee every administrator dreams of. He is smart, thinks independently, understands the priorities of the institution, has enormous integrity, and a truly fantastic work ethic.” Through tough times his leadership kept a department focused and upbeat. The multiple letters of support from Randy’s staff and colleagues can be summed up in one word…“Admiration.”


HRH Employee Recognition Award winners receiving $500

The following individuals received the HRH Employee Recognition Award and were awarded with a $500 check, a commemorative plaque, and a DVD of the ceremony:

Timothy M. Noland, Maintenance Specialist with the Physical Plant Division



When “a relative humidity of 50%” was demanded by a high profile museum exhibit making its only stop in Florida here at the Florida Museum of Natural History, big-name outside contractors could not accomplish the task. Mr. Noland took it upon himself to research, study, test, and solve the problem.

Cyrus Williams, Assistant Dean for Judicial Affairs



Every year many college students anticipate the fun they might have on their 21st birthday. Unfortunately these celebrations can sometimes get out of control. Mr. Williams has actively worked to install alternate celebration plans for students here at UF. Cyrus is known for working to help create a safe and productive environment for students here at the University of Florida, and for tackling many other tough issues for our students.

Gregory Orloff, Program Assistant with the Graduate School



Of the many accomplishments of our Mr. Orloff, the one that may have helped his department the most was the complete overhaul of their website. One nominator wrote, “Through his efforts the office has improved communications, increased information flow, and enhanced understanding of Graduate Studies.” Although it had been discussed by others for some time, Greg stepped up and conceived, designed, and implemented the entire website reconstruction.

Bree Jung, Program Assistant with the J. Wayne Reitz Union



“She is a true gem!” So says one of the nominators who went on to say that she was afraid to write the letter of support since someone would find this diamond in the rough and steal her! Another colleague wrote of the Ms. Jung, “She is very easy to work with because she seems like she never has a bad day. She is always pleasant and smiling even in crunch time.” Another colleague wrote that he was “startled after Bree took over her area, because many of the problems he had become accustomed to from that area simply disappeared.”