UMaine Names Winners of Annual Employee Awards
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — The University of Maine has recognized four employees, two from its classified staff and two from its professional staff, as winners of annual outstanding employee awards. These awards recognize outstanding professional accomplishment and dedicated service. Formal presentation of the awards is scheduled for the Employee Recognition and Achievement Banquet, Monday May 11 at 5 p.m. at Wells Conference Center.
The 2009 Outstanding Classified Employee Award recipients are Doreen Thibodeau of Residence Life and Carol Rickards of the Student Services Center in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Thibodeau, an administrative assistant II, has worked at UMaine for 20 years; the last 14 have been in Residence Life. In her nomination, she was cited as an inspiration to others through her dedication, commitment, work ethic, care and compassion. In recognition of her service to Residence Life, a new award has been established in her honor; she was the first recipient of The Doreen Thibodeau Unsung Hero Award, presented at the staff’s annual recognition banquet in April. In her position, Thibodeau works with nine professional employees, eight graduate assistants and more than 150 student employees, in addition to the 3,800 residential students and their parents. Her coworkers describe her as “the heart and soul of Residence Life,” demonstrating exemplary customer service and selflessly giving of her time, energy and positive attitude.
Rickards has been an administrative assistant I in the Student Services Center for six years, and has worked at UMaine for more than two decades. In her nomination, she was cited for her work ethic, dedication and commitment to providing inspirational student service. Students and coworkers also appreciate her spontaneous, generous and heartfelt acts of kindness that occur daily. Rickards, who is usually the primary contact for prospective and incoming students in the college, can be counted on to convey a superb first impression of UMaine with her warmth, tact and patience. Many liberal arts and sciences majors consider her the “go-to” person in the college because of her knowledgeable assistance, courtesy, accessibility and genuine interest in their academic well-being. Plus, she daily stocks the college’s Student Services Center in Stevens Hall with her home-baked treats.
The 2009 Outstanding Professional Employee Award recipients are Martha Kelley, an advisor in the Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC), and Nancy Boyington, assistant director of the Hutchinson Center.
Kelley joined the MEOC Advising Team in 2005, with responsibility for mentoring adults from Waterville to Millinocket who want to enter college. She and the other advisors in the federal education initiative assess academic readiness, provide career counseling and recommend community resources for the students, many of whom come from traditionally under-represented adult populations in Maine. Since her start, Kelley has helped place 549 adult students in college. According to one of her nominators, Kelley’s “holistic approach to advising and her nurturing follow-through have paved the way for a disproportionate level of student success.” In addition, Kelley is a lifelong community volunteer. She is involved locally with the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine and its Voices for Peace choir, which she directs. She has participated in Somerset County’s Food Stamps Nutrition Education project and the Penobscot County Hunger Project.
Boyington joined the Hutchinson Center when it opened in fall 2000. She began her career at the University of Maine in 1988 with Cooperative Extension. As assistant director of the Hutchinson Center, she is responsible for supervising staff, managing facilities, marketing and advertising, purchasing and overseeing faculty contracts. One of her nominators characterized her as “the heartbeat of the center.” Boyington also has an active role in student services at the center. Many Hutchinson Center students have attributed their academic success to her devotion to their education. Boyington established a scholarship fund for Hutchinson Center students, raising money through such events as the annual Best of the Best in Waldo County celebration. In addition, she has been integral in the development of Hutchinson Center programs, including the Midcoast Leadership Academy and the Nonprofit Management Certificate Program. Last year, Boyington cochaired the first Midcoast Women’s Health Conference, held at the Hutchinson Center. She also dedicates time to community organizations and services, including the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce, United Midcoast Charities and Healthy Waldo County.