Faulkner, Moutevelis-Burgess Receive 2014 PEAC Awards

Gretchen Faulkner, director of the Hudson Museum, and Polly Moutevelis-Burgess, director of the Employee Assistance Program, are the recipients of the 2014 Outstanding Professional Employee Award of the University of Maine Professional Employees Advisory Council (PEAC).

The annual PEAC award recognizes UMaine professional employees who demonstrate a dedication to serving others, maintain the highest level of professional services and standards in their disciplines or areas of responsibility, help create a better campus environment and demonstrate public service through significant contributions.

Faulkner, a UMaine alumna, has been affiliated with the Hudson Museum since 1986 — the last 11 as director of the Hudson Museum in the Collins Center for the Arts. In her multiple nominations for the award, Faulkner was cited for her “highly ethical and visionary approach” that has advanced the museum’s programming and collections to a worldwide audience. Through her leadership, thousands of Maine schoolchildren have visited the CCA to learn about history, culture and diversity. This year will mark the 20th annual Maine Indian Basketmakers Sale and Demonstration at the Hudson Museum — one of Faulkner’s many collaborations with the state’s Native American communities.

Faulkner serves on the board of directors of Maine Archives and Museums, and the Deer Isle Historical Society. She actively participates in the collaboration among the Hudson Museum, Page Farm and Home Museum, and Maine Folklife Center that has resulted in UMaine’s longstanding presence at the American Folk Festival and publishes a twice-yearly newsletter, “Artifacts,” for Maine schools that promotes UMaine field trip destinations.

Moutevelis-Burgess has directed the Employee Assistance Program for the past three decades. In her nomination for the award, Moutevelis-Burgess is described as “uniformly responsive, compassionate, committed to providing UMaine employees with comprehensive and high-quality counseling services, as well as enthusiastic about her role in making UMaine a compelling place to live, work and learn.” Her many nominations cite her caring and commitment to UMaine employees, and her work ethic and professionalism. One colleague characterized Moutevelis-Burgess as “a champion of people grappling with challenging life circumstances.”

Moutevelis-Burgess was the founder and first president of the International Association of Employee Assistance Professionals in Education and served eight years on the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure. Her many community service activities include fundraising for the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bangor by establishing a Greek food booth at the American Folk Festival, which has since become a mainstay at the event.