The Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence recognizes the dedication and commitment of a civil service or administrative professional staff member in advancing the mission of WSU Vancouver. Award criteria includes active participation with campus activities, excellent performance in the staff member’s own role, demonstrated leadership on behalf of WSU Vancouver and going the “extra mile” to advance WSU Vancouver.

The following six staff members have been nominated by their colleagues. The excerpts below were derived from their nominations. The Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence will be presented to one of these outstanding individuals at a Campus Update at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 29 in the Dengerink Administration building, room 110. RSVP.

Facilities and Operations

Kim is a key component to the success of events and activities on campus. She is amazingly efficient, pleasant and has a can-do attitude. She communicates effectively with the daytime setup crew and the nighttime reset crew ensuring every detail is attended to.

Office of Marketing and Communications

Maureen's quality of work is impeccable. She can track a million details and never drop a ball. This spring Maureen went the extra mile by filling a vital role on the Commencement Committee at the last minute. She called faculty members, collected RSVPs, organized the faculty and platform party processionals and generally kept things humming.

Vancouver Information Technology

Ryan has a helpful and cheerful attitude. He is always available and provides priority service for campus emergency system repair. His contributions to service have immeasurably increased campus emergency services and readiness. He is also instrumental in helping with component selection for the video system program.

Office of Academic Affairs

Tamara provides tremendous support to faculty across many colleges in the area of grant submission and attainment. She makes complex and often arduous tasks of grant development less painful. She is good at mapping fruitful paths to grant development and either identifying or removing potential landmines. Tamara is responsive, listens well and bends over backwards to make herself available.

College of Arts and Sciences

Dale goes out of his way to help not only the faculty and staff in the fine arts department, but anyone at WSU Vancouver or in the community. Last year, he conducted workshops in printmaking and photography to help create a flourishing fine arts environment on campus. He has stepped up to help in all areas related to art on campus without hesitation.

School of Engineering and Computer Science

You can count on Eric to deliver a personal touch with the utmost professionalism, enthusiasm and friendliness. He not only gets excited about student projects, he often attends events celebrating their successes. He continuously works to improve service to students and plays a significant role in engaging prospective students and their parents.

WSU’s annual Congressional and State Staff Fact Finding Tour will kick off here on Tuesday morning. Legislative staffers will have an opportunity to tour campus and learn about some of our research projects and programs. Guests will leave campus Tuesday afternoon and spend Wednesday and Thursday at WSU Spokane and Pullman.

Renny Christopher started in her role at vice chancellor for student affairs Aug. 5. You can reach her at 6-9593 or by email. The campus community will have an opportunity to hear from her at the Campus Update scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Aug. 29 in the Dengerink Administration building, room 110. RSVP.

Chad McGhee has joined the Office of Student Affairs as clinical psychologist. Chad earned his clinical psychology degree from Pacific University in 2011 and has previously worked at Southern Illinois University and Linfield College. Faculty and staff may consult with Counseling Services about the referral process, a situation with a student, or to discuss a presentation or workshop. Counseling Services is located in the Student Services Center, rooms 111 and 113. The offices are open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 6-9238 for an appointment.

If you have a safety issue or concern, please contact any Safety Committee member. While you’re at it, thank them for serving.

• John Benson, Facilities Operations
• Jeannette Bergen, secretary, Facilities Operations
• Kevin Crowley, Facilities Operations
• Anthony Deringer, Student Affairs
• Roxanne Doenecke, College of Education
• Sally Dost, Student Affairs
• Troy Dunmire, Engineering and Computer Science
• Kathleen Fias, College of Nursing
• Dennis Giles, co-chair, Facilities Operations
• Sam Judd, Engineering and Computer Science
• Jo Keeler, chair, Finance and Operations
• Maureen Keller, Marketing and Communications
• Ben Kulp, College of Business
• James Martin, Facilities Operations
• David Menchaca, College of Arts and Sciences
• Daniel Petrila, Associated Students of WSU Vancouver
• Sarah Pimentel, Human Development
• Patrick Reiter, Vancouver Information Technology
• Debra Robinson, Clark College
• Merlinda Sain, Human Resources
• Dave Stephenson, Public Safety

Report near misses and close calls to closecalls@vancouver.wsu.edu. If you have a campus safety concern, please contact Jo Keeler, Safety Committee chair, at jkeeler@vancouver.wsu.edu. Visit the Environmental Health & Safety website for more safety-related information.