Northwestern employees honored for years of service at 16th annual recognition ceremony
November 25, 2019
Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s employees were honored during the 16th annual Employee Service Recognition Ceremony Nov. 19-20. Ceremonies took place in Alva and Enid to honor employees who work at Alva, Enid and Woodward campus locations.
Dr. Ramona Bartlow (right) was presented the John Barton Distinguished Teaching and Service Award by Dr. Bo Hannaford, executive vice president, and also was recognized with a 10-year service award at Northwestern.
Dr. Ramona Bartlow, assistant professor of nursing, was awarded the John Barton Distinguished Teaching and Service Award during the annual ceremony. Nominations for the award are made by faculty, staff and students then the recipient is determined by a selection committee. To be selected, the recipient must be a full-time faculty member at Northwestern and exemplify distinguished teaching and administrative leadership.
Kristin Mravinec (right) was presented with the Thelma Crouch Staff Employee of the Year award from its namesake.
Kristin Mravinec, administrative assistant in the dean’s office at the Woodward campus, was named the Thelma Crouch Staff Employee of the Year award. This award was established to recognize exceptional performance and/or service by a member of the Northwestern staff. The recipient of this award shows dedication to Northwestern and its students. The Student Government Association accepts nominations for this award and then determines the recipient.
Employees who were honored for their years of service are listed by name and job title:
Northwestern’s five-year service award recipients are (from left to right, back row) Dr. Richmond Adams, Danny Utterback, Jeffery Lee, (middle row) Tara Hannaford, (front row) Shawna Gilbert, Dr. Jennifer Sattler, Jana Brown, Cheryl Ellis, Lawana Newell and Vannessa Scoggins. Not pictured are Melissa Brown, Chris Lauderdale, Tiffany Misak and Allison Zimmerman.
- Five-year service recognition: Dr. Richmond Adams, assistant professor of English; Jana Brown, instructor of history; Melissa Brown, graduate studies coordinator and Wisdom Family Foundation Doctoral Program for Rural Nursing Practice administrative assistant; Cheryl Ellis, human resources director; Shawna Gilbert, access services librarian; Tara Hannaford, director of financial aid; Chris Lauderdale, comptroller; Jeffery Lee, custodian; Tiffany Misak, campus coordinator at the Enid campus; Lawana Newell, instructor of music; Dr. Jennifer Sattler, associate professor of physics; Vanessa Scoggins, travel and insurance clerk; Danny Utterback, custodian; and Allison Zimmerman, instructor of mass communication.
Northwestern’s 10-year service award recipients are (from left to right, back row) Dr. Shawn Holliday, Dr. Ralph Bourret, (front row) Dr. Ramona Bartlow, Kaylyn Hansen and Shane Hansen. Not pictured is Dr. Steven Palmer.
- 10-year service recognition: Bartlow; Dr. Ralph Bourret, professor of business; Kaylyn Hansen, director of assessment and institutional effectiveness; Shane Hansen, instructor of health and sports science; Dr. Shawn Holliday, associate dean of graduate studies; and Dr. Steven Palmer, professor of business.
Northwestern’s 15-year service award recipients are (from left to right) Janet Cook, Monty Herren and Dr. Cornelia Mihai. Not pictured is Kevin Fields.
- 15-year service recognition: Janet Cook, assistant cashier; Kevin Fields, health and safety officer; Monty Herren, assistant director of plant operations; and Dr. Cornelia Mihai, professor of chemistry.
Northwestern’s 20-year service award recipients are (from left to right) Anne Haight, Steve Sneary, Jeff McAlpin and Dr. Steven Thompson. Not pictured is Teri Warren.
- 20-year service recognition: Anne Haight, scholarship coordinator; Jeff McAlpin, instructor of sociology and Bill Johnson Correctional Center administrative director; Steve Sneary, instructor of agriculture; Dr. Steven Thompson, professor of biology; and Teri Warren, assistant registrar and admissions coordinator.
- 30-year service recognition: Valarie Case, university relations specialist.
- 35-year service recognition: Myra Davison, administrative assistant in the president’s office; and Annette Schwerdtfeger, cashier.
Kaylyn Hansen, who also serves as service learning coordinator, presented service learning awards on behalf of the SL/CE committee. Those being honored include:
- Greatest Student Involvement Award: Bartlow and Dr. Leslie Collins, assistant professor of nursing and assistant chair to the Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing -- given to an employee who had the greatest student involvement in a project. The Student Nurse’s Association had 50 students volunteer to host a booth at the Northwestern Homecoming parade.
- Greatest Community Impact Award: Dr. Tracy Beedy, assistant professor of agriculture -- given to the faculty or staff whose project impacted their community through beautification, culture, sustainability or other area’s that put a community’s need first. Beedy and the students in the Introduction to Plant Science class planted a demonstration plot of 18 varieties of wheat chosen by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension as new varieties potentially important in Woods County, with some standard varieties included for comparison.
- Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Steven Maier, professor of physics -- given to an employee whose commitment to service sets a high standard in Service Learning while promoting the meaning of Service Learning and Civic Engagement. Maier, along with students, faculty and community volunteers hosted a free STEM-based robotics competition for area schools.
- Most Inventive Project: Angelia Case, academic projects assistant/media specialist-- given to a faculty or staff member who had a unique, creative project. The Campus Cabinet Food Pantry was created to help to fill in the gaps when those in the Northwestern community (both students and employees) need help.
- Applaud Award: members of the Lady Ranger Basketball team -- given to a club/organization that shows the greatest overall effort, participation and hard work. The Women's Basketball team helped Lincoln Elementary's students on National Walk to School day.
- Most Expressive Award: Kylene Rehder, professor of social work and department of social work chair, along with members of the Social Workers Association of Tomorrow (SWAT) -- given to a club/organization that had a unique project/event. Hundreds of dresses were given away for free to grateful students from 15 high schools in two states during the annual Primp for Prom event held in Woodward.
- perSERVEring Ranger Award: members of the Ranger Softball team -- given to an organization for their extraordinary service and serving in multiple community service projects throughout the year. The Ranger Softball team volunteered for numerous community service projects including hosting Voter Registration and a blood drive.
Tandy Keenan, director of Sponsored Programs, presented highlights of happenings from her office for the past year including the fact that nearly $1.6 million in grants were funded this past year, up from just more than $1.5 the previous year.
Several employees also were recognized during the ceremony for their service to the Faculty Senate, Staff Council and Professional Staff Council.
Images from the ceremony may be found online at https://nwosuphotos201920.shutterfly.com/14752.
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CONTACT FOR RELEASE:
Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist
eedavis@nwosu.edu, 580-327-8480