Bob Lael named UIS Employee of the Year for 2009

Human Resource Assistant Manager Bob Lael was named UIS Employee of the Year for 2009 during the 27th annual celebration in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby on January 28, 2010.

Lael is known for always being the first person to arrive at the office in the morning. He provides endless support to the human resources office, to the University as a whole, and to the numerous students who come to him for help with student insurance.

“I’m humbled and I’m honored, especially in light of the other 11 candidates for Employee of the Year and I’m very, very, very thankful,” said Lael.

The other candidates were each selected as individual Employees of the Month. They include Emily Welch Boles, Tom Micklus, Patricia Stoutamyer, Kimberly Craig, Pam Rodgers, Michelle Green, Laurie Koehne, Terry Minder, Bobbie Fults, and Patty Sullivan.

Lael is not only a leader at UIS, but also serves on a leadership team for the U of I Office of Business and Financial Services. In addition to doing his job well, he is, as his supervisor noted, “a friend to all of us.”

“It’s difficult in these times and in many places to reward people the way you’d like to,” said Jamie Voyles, Employee of the Month committee chair.

The Employee of the Year gets a check for $500, plus a special parking spot for the entire year.

December EOM is Patty Sullivan

"You got me!" admitted Patty Sullivan as she stepped into the restaurant of the Public Affairs Center on Thursday morning to cheers and calls of "surprise!"

Patty, a graphic designer at UIS, was named the December Employee of the Month during a celebration that included her coworkers as well as her family members.

"Everybody in Campus Services has the highest regard for the work you do for us, the university community and for the community at large. We want to thank you, thank you, thank you," said Larz Gaydos, printing production coordinator.

Patty started her career at Sangamon State University as a typesetter 19 years ago. She worked her way up to primary designer, the job she now does.

"She knows it all; she does it all," Larz said. "She goes out of her way to make UIS look good. And she helps us consistently put our best foot forward. It's really been an honor and privilege to work with you, Patty."

Patty said she had nothing else to express besides her gratitude.

"Thank you, everyone...I don't have anything to say except 'thank you!'," she said.