VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

The Finance and Administration Division oversees many crucial services at Virginia Commonwealth University, yet that doesn’t stop its employees from having a little fun on the job, as demonstrated at the division’s annual customer service awards ceremony.

About 175 employees from both campuses turned out for the June 1 event — a university tradition since 1997 — that recognizes faculty and staff who foster better communication, promote higher productivity and improve relations among faculty, staff and students.

VCU Police Chief John Venuti, Facilities Management Associate Vice President Brian Ohlinger, Executive Director of Human Resources Cindy Andrews, Associate Vice President of Business Services Paul Jez and Associate Vice President of Finance and Administration Pam Currey manned an ice cream sundae bar for the staff before the awards presentation kicked off.

John M. Bennett, senior vice president for finance and administration, presented the formal awards. Each recipient received a framed certificate and free parking for a year.

“Today is our day to celebrate the people who are the best among us at what they do,” Bennett said.

Formal individual awards were given to Sgt. Nicole Dailey of VCU Police, Avian Goldsmith of Human Resources, Brandon Hoadley of Technology Services and Dan McDonald of Business Services.

Bennett — affectionately referred to as “everyone’s favorite undercover boss” because he’s been working in the trenches of each Finance and Administration office to get an idea of what the employees deal with daily — then handed the proceedings over to Daynon Smith, a Human Resources trainer, for the informal “fun” awards.

Prizes — including Double Bubble gum, a glow sword, firefighter’s gear and a magnifying glass — were given in categories such as “Beyond the Call of Duty,” “Bright Ideas,” “Firefighting” and “More with Less.”

Taking a brief respite from the humor, Bennett thanked the group for its hard work, saying, “Because of what you do, VCU functions … because you come to work intending to do a good job.”

Finance and Administration oversees technology and business services, facilities management, human resources and the police department. For photos from the event, visit http://www.facebook.com/VCUnews#!/album.php?aid=17800&id=108215735872376.

Individual Awards
Avian Goldsmith, Human Resources
Brandon Hoadley, Technology Services
Nicole Dailey, VCU Police
Dan McDonald, Business Services

Fun Awards

Ambassador

• Robinette Butler, Dining Services
• John Venuti, VCU Police

Behind the Scenes

• Elizabeth Beirne, Business Services
• Charles Curley, Technology Services

Beyond the Call of Duty

• Carol Akers, Environmental Health & Safety
• Konjit Chitty, Human Resources

Bright Idea

Jonathan Siok, VCU Police

Firefighting

• Drew Bedner, Facilities Management
• Emma Minor, Parking & Transportation

Fun At Work

• Barbara Lawson, Business Services
• Mia Williams, Parking & Transportation

More With Less

Debbie Fitzgerald, Human Resources