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UIS Employee of the Month Program

Mary Ellen McElligott is 2005 Employee of the Year

Mary Ellen McElligott accepts the 2005 Employee of the Year award.

Conference Center coordinator Mary Ellen McElligott was named 2005 Employee of the Year at the 23rd annual Employee of the Year Recognition Ceremony, held January 23.

McElligott was selected from among 11 UIS staff members who had been employees of the month during the past year. She was employee of the month for April.

At that time, Ed Wojcicki, associate chancellor for constituent relations, noted, “I have Four Cs that I use as a checklist whenever I think about how we’re doing. First, are we civil to one another? Mary Ellen is the epitome of calmness and professionalism. Next, are we competent at what we do? Mary Ellen is extraordinarily competent. Third, do we provide good customer service? Mary Ellen is at the top level there. Finally, are we building community? Mary Ellen works with people all across campus, at every level. She probably knows the names of just about everybody here.”

Chancellor Richard Ringeisen, making the official announcement and presentation, observed, “We really have a dozen, or even a hundred employees of the year and the problem is to pick just one. But not a day goes by, when I’m out in the community, without someone mentioning what great Conference Services we have here, and people mention you by name. I’d like to add my thanks.”

McElligott has been employed on campus for six years.

The UIS Employee of the Year receives gifts that include a check for $500.

Moneim Osman is December EOM

Moneim Osman, manager of the campus ID Center, walked down campus alone, through arctic blasts, all the way to the Student Life Building from his own snug office deep in the lower levels of the PAC. All the way he thought he was meeting Chris Miller to talk about an i-card problem. But Moneim soon discovered that, even though there was no problem, the trek was worth the effort because he had really been summoned to his own party as December Employee of the Month. 

Moneim was so surprised that it took a moment for reality to sink in. Spying his wife, Omayma, in the crowd he quipped, “I thought you were awfully dressed up today!” 

Miller, vice chancellor for student and administrative services and dean of students, made the presentation, saying, "We are so aware of Moneim's contribution to the entire campus. He lends his experience, his expertise, and his enthusiasm to a complicated job and the results benefit us all." 

Marya Ryan, director of i-card programs for the University of Illinois, came from Urbana to praise Moneim. "His promotion to the position he's in was an easy decision on my part,” she said. “I knew he had the expertise and I'd never have to worry about things in Springfield. He has a small staff and yet is well ahead of the other campuses in terms of implementing i-card. He comes up with sound technical solutions when there's a problem and he delivers service with personal warmth and a genuine sense of humor." 

Accepting the honor, Moneim told the group about how he’d recently brought his young daughter to campus for a book fair. Seeing the EOM display in the PAC concourse, she pointed at it and said, "Why aren't you up there?" 

“I am so glad to be a part of this university,” Moneim said. “Everyone I work with is wonderful. This is the most phenomenal experience I've ever had. I plan to be here for as long as I can."

November EOM is Beth Gorsich

“The Bursar Office will be closed on Friday, November 18, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. so staff can attend a staff meeting.  We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.” 

Roses from her children were some of the nicest perks Beth Gorsich received as November EOM.

When Beth Gorsich sent this campus announcement early on the preceding Monday, little did she know that she wasn’t fooling anybody but herself. Beth, who works as cashier supervisor in University Student Financial Services and Cashier Operations (the bursar’s office), had been chosen Employee of the Month for November and the “staff meeting” was a fake. 

When Beth’s colleague Patty Forgas was EOM in July, it was reported then that it was one of the few times in campus history that the bursar’s office had closed during business hours. Perhaps history repeating itself so soon should have tipped Beth off, but  nevertheless she was shocked to enter the PAC atrium and find a crowd of people -- including her husband, son, and daughter -- waiting.

Joe Creek, director of customer services & cashiering operations, came from Urbana to make the official presentation. He noted, “When I first started working here, I was surprised by how fast I came to rely on Beth in Springfield. As her supervisor, I was told there were a lot of things I had to do to prepare for this (the EOM party), but all I really had to do was pick a date and get out of the way. That’s a testimony to how people feel about her.” 

“I’m speechless,” said Beth. “I love working here. It’s the best work experience I’ve ever had. Thank you all.” 

Beth has been employed on campus since August 2000.

Mae Noll is EOM for October

It was too hard to surprise October EOM Mae Noll on her own turf.

Mae Noll knows Lincoln Residence Hall and what goes on there, probably better than anyone else on campus, so it would have been impossible to hold her Employee of the Month party there and keep it a secret from her. 

So they held it on the other side of campus, and on October 27 Mae was so disconcerted to be EOM that she started on her acceptance speech before the applause had even died away. But she quickly recovered herself and Housing Director John Ringle was able to make the official presentation. 

“It’s great that the Housing Office finally has an employee of the month!” said John, noting that Mae is the only resident director that LRH has ever had. “She has grown with the facility and the Capital Scholars program. She has mentored countless resident assistants and dealt with lots of helicopter parents. 

“You can find her just as easily working at 1 a.m. as you can find her working at 7 a.m. I think she singlehandedly keeps the coffee shop in business,” he joked.

Then Mae resumed her speech and this time was allowed to finish. “It’s meant a lot to me working here at UIS with the greatest students anywhere in Illinois,” she said. “When I go off campus, I find myself talking about how wonderful it is to work at UIS. Thanks to my co-workers in Housing and a big thanks to my staff of students. I couldn’t do it without them. Some of them I see here in this room…there may be others, but I didn’t wear my glasses.”

Trickster Rodney Pettus realizes that he's been tricked.

Rodney Pettus is September EOM

For Rodney Pettus, going to the September Employee of the Month party was no big deal because he thought it was for somebody else. Only when supposed honoree Ron Browning stepped aside at the door and motioned for Rodney to come in did he stop short. A few seconds passed before he entered the Student Center Lounge to a round of applause. 

Making the official presentation, Ron quipped, “Rod must have thought he had something hanging on his back because everybody on the mail run was smiling at him today.” Ron also noted that during the three and a half years that Rodney has worked in campus mail services he has established a reputation as a practical joker. “So it’s good to be able to trick him for once,” Ron said.

Rodney’s acceptance speech was short and sweet: “I don’t know what to say…I appreciate this…Thanks very much!”

August EOM is Steve Rohrer

August EOM Steve Rohrer started campus tech support 25 years ago.

Steve Rohrer was truly surprised to find himself walking into his own Employee of the Month party on Thursday morning. As Mike Bohl, director of the Office of Business and Financial Services & Technical Services, led Steve into the PAC restaurant, it was clear that he realized what was happening the second he crossed the threshold. First he startled, then hung his head and shoulders and smiled as everyone laughed and clapped. “I’m really embarrassed,” he said.

Making the presentation, Mike noted that Steve, as director of Campus Technology Services, is synonymous with UIS technology and tech support.

“Twenty-five years ago, Steve started the department,” Mike said. “At that time we had two servers, an HP 3000 and an HP 9000, with a power of 56,000 bytes per second. Now we maintain more than 90 servers and our capacity is more than 1 billion bytes per second.

“It’s nothing to Steve to be here until 2 and 3 a.m. working on the system when there’s a problem. One time, the staff had to roll him out on his work chair because his back had given out.

“He led the effort to upgrade the network three times, overhaul the phone system, make UIS a wireless campus, and install a new cable television service. He truly deserves to be the August 2005 EOM.”

Steve’s reply was brief: “It’s my privilege to work with an extraordinary group of people. Together, we get it done. UIS has been the best place to work I could have ever imagined.”

Patty Forgas is EOM for July

Patty Forgas, EOM for July, is much more comfortable back at her desk in the bursar's office.

The July Employee of the Month celebration was especially notable for a couple of reasons: (a) It was one of the few times in campus history that the bursar’s office was closed during business hours, and (b) Patty Forgas was quite possibly the most surprised EOM ever. 

Patty was expecting to attend a staff meeting on Thursday morning and when the doors to the PAC restaurant opened to reveal a roomful of friends and family instead, her first reaction was to start backing away. But colleagues pulled her inside, where she spent the first few seconds in a corner. 

“What!” she exclaimed. “Boy, did you get me! I had no idea.” 

Patty’s supervisor in the cashier’s office, Elizabeth Gorsich, made the official presentation, saying, “I’m honored to get to do this. Patty, you’ve been a mentor to me and you do a great job. Thank you for all your hard work!” 

“I’m shocked and speechless,” Patty replied. “I’m happy to work here. I’m happy to be back. Thank you all so much. Please…let’s eat!” 

Carmen Dinardo is June EOM

Carmen Dinardo was named Employee of the Month for June.

Carmen Dinardo was surprised to see his granddaughters in the Student Center when he came to take part in what he thought was to be a retirement photograph for Larry Renn.

“I thought to myself, ‘What the heck are they doing here for Larry’s retirement picture?’” he explained later. In reality, the girls were on hand to celebrate Carmen’s selection as Employee of the Month for June.

Carmen, a carpenter in physical planning and operations, was lured to his EOM party by his foreman, Jim Davis, who told him there was going to be a group photo taken as a memento for electrician foreman Larry Renn. Larry is retiring later this fall.

PP&O Director Dave Barrows had this to say: “Carmen is an extremely hard-working and loyal employee.  He always has a smile on his face.  He’s a valued employee who we hope will stick around for quite some time.  He is very deserving of the award, as attested to by the number of people who attended his EOM party.”

Carmen says he has always enjoyed working at the university. Originally hired as a part-time carpenter, he has worked on campus full-time since 1990.

In addition to his granddaughters, several other members of Carmen's family attended the celebration.

Sherry Hutson is May EOM

Sherry Hutson decides that being Employee of the Month isn't so awful after all.

Shari McCurdy, web developer in the Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning, and Sherry Hutson, web developer in the Chancellor’s Office, were going to some kind of web person meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Sherry thought it was odd when co-workers joined them along the way, but they explained they were just headed somewhere else. Sherry would have thought it odder still if she’d noticed her boss, Ed Wojcicki, following a discreet distance behind.

It’s good when a plan comes together, and this one did as they approached a wide place in Brookens concourse, outside MacDonald Lounge, that was full of people and long tables of food. Surprise! It just happened to be a party honoring Sherry as May Employee of the Month. 

Sherry’s first reaction was pretty typical among brand-new EOMs: “This is awful!” she said. 

Wojcicki, associate chancellor for constituent relations, began the official presentation by saying that Sherry is “one of the most well-rounded people I know. She reads books,” he said, to a round of laughter. “She even wrote one last year (on Photoshop). She’s our webmaster, in fact she’s our website department. She loves baseball. She teaches. 

“I know she’s a great teacher from my own experience,” he continued, “because she taught me how to manage a website…something other people told me I’d never, ever do! 

“When we talked about Sherry in the EOM committee, to a person everyone said that she’s always willing to help, always gives lots of personal attention, and -- even though she’s basically a one-person department -- she never complains. Well it’s a joy to have her in our office, but I have to tell you…she does complain.

“She’s really just one of the greatest support people we have,” Wojcicki said.

Sherry replied, “I’m just so honored and so humbled that people would choose me for this, especially when so many others are so deserving. Thank you!”

Mary Ellen McElligott is April EOM

Mary Ellen McElligott was locked out of the PAC restaurant to keep her from discovering that she was EOM for April.

Mary Ellen McElligott takes her duties as a coordinator in Conference Services very seriously. So, when she asked Food Services manager Al Barnhart how early she could get in to the PAC restaurant on Thursday to check the setup for an event being held there later in the day, Al thought it prudent to say that the space was being used for disciplinary hearings until 10 a.m. and the door would be locked.

That cleared the way for Mary Ellen’s colleagues to prepare for the party celebrating her selection as April Employee of the Month. So, shortly after 10, when Mary Ellen was brought down to the restaurant to “review some new artwork they were thinking about hanging,” she could truthfully say, “I had not a clue!”

Ed Wojcicki, associate chancellor for constituent relations, made the official EOM presentation. “I’m pleased to see so many people here today,” he said, “and I know why you’re here.

“I have Four Cs that I use as a kind of checklist whenever I think about how we’re doing,” Wojcicki explained. “First, are we civil to one another? Mary Ellen is the epitome of calmness and professionalism.

“Next, are we competent at what we do? Mary Ellen is extraordinarily competent.

“Third, do we provide good customer service? Mary Ellen is at the top level there, the top 1 percent.

“Finally, are we building community? Mary Ellen works with people all across campus, at every level. She probably knows the names of just about everybody here.

“That’s why I’m happy to tell you that you’re Employee of the Month, Mary Ellen. You’re the best!”

Recovered from the initial surprise, Mary Ellen joked, “When I felt Joan (Sestak) pushing me in here I thought, ‘Well this is going to be an interesting meeting!’

“But my job is always a kick, and it’s because of everyone here in this room. Thank you all.”

March EOM is Kimberly Rutherford

Disability Services Specialist Kim Rutherford, EOM for March, would rather go back to work.

Kimberly Rutherford was the victim of one of those semi-imaginary meetings, complete with colleagues who all had to be out of the office. However, in her case, the trumped-up meeting that preceded the totally fake one was very productive.

“She’s so focused,” Assistant Dean of Students for Student/Community Development Jeffrey Maras noted at one point. “We just had a 30 minute conversation about goals for students.” 

Maras was one of the people who had nothing but wonderful things to say about Kim as she was named Employee of the Month for March. 

Karla Carwile, director of Disability Services, broke the news to Kim as Maras escorted her into the SLB lounge on Thursday afternoon. “I hate to tell you this,” said Karla, “but everything you’ve done all day today was bogus. But we couldn’t get you to leave the lab any other way.” 

Carwile then recounted how Kim had walked into her office one day in 1998 and asked what she could do to help students. “So in 2001, when we created the position of disability services specialist, we knew she was the perfect person for the job,” said Carwile. 

“I can’t imagine the office without her,” Carwile continued. “She’s absolutely dedicated to the students. She’s just a phenomenal woman.” 

Maras added, “Kim was one of the first staff members I met with when I came to campus back in September, and I said then that she embodies what student service professionals are all about. She brings real passion to her work. She’s knowledgeable…a consummate professional.” 

Carol Rahn is February EOM

February EOM Carol Rahn, left, had to stand still for a minute and let Jane Treadwell say nice things about her.

It was one of those bogus meetings that brought Carole Rahn, assistant to the dean of Library Instructional Services, to the PAC Restaurant on February 11. As Library Dean Jane Treadwell ushered her inside, Carol’s first words were, “Isn’t Marcia supposed to be at this meeting?” Then, as she realized it wasn’t a meeting, but her own Employee of the Month party, she spotted her colleague and added, “Oh! … I owe you.”

“Now you have to stand here for a minute and listen to me say nice things about you,” Treadwell began the official presentation.

First, she noted that as dean’s assistant, Carol is responsible for budget and personnel matters, and “just about anything else that comes up. The Library and Ed Tech has a very complex budget, and Carol realizes that ultimately a budget facilitates services and rewards people for their hard work.”

Treadwell explained that Carol was also instrumental in the library’s implementation of Banner, and that she works hard to “ensure that employees know what they need to do in such important areas as payroll. She isn’t afraid to ask questions or to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

Noting that Carol is also active in a number of volunteer efforts on campus, Treadwell quipped, “In fact, if this hadn’t been her own party, she would have baked a cake for it.”

“Well now I know you all totally lied to me,” Carol replied. “I’ve been to a lot of these parties and I always thought to myself ‘Boy, those people are so dumb! How can they not know?’

“But it’s a real pat on the back, and I thank you,” she said. “And I want you to know that no matter how grouchy I might get, I really love working here.”

Carol’s daughter, Angela, and her husband, Darrell, were also there to help her celebrate.