VCU news

By Megan Schmidt and Corey Byers

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Finance & Administration Division honored 27 employees on June 11 for their outstanding contributions to customers and co-workers. The awards recognized faculty and staff who foster better communication, promote higher productivity and improve relations among faculty, staff and students.

More than 150 employees from both campuses turned out for the biennial event — a university tradition since 1997.

“Service excellence is an important foundation of the university’s Quest for Distinction,” said William Decatur, vice president for finance and administration. “We are guided by the principles of professionalism and respect for each other in all aspects of our work, study and life within the university environment.”

Decatur presented the formal awards, which included a framed certificate and monetary award, to Bernard Adams of Facilities Management, Adam Craig of Technology Services, Greg Felton of VCU Police and Yvonne Jones of Business Services.

“This first set of awards recognizes exemplary customer service. That’s something that I believe very strongly in,” he said. “We want to create a ‘wow’ factor for not only our fellow employees, but also our students, faculty, anyone who receives services from any of us in finance and administration.”

Daynon Smith and Karen Fields of Human Resources then presented the informal “fun” awards to this year’s 23 recipients.

Prizes – including a top-secret invisible pen and decoder pad, a sparkly cheer baton, googly-eye glasses and miniature toy hydrants – were given in categories that highlighted individual acts of fiscal responsibility, resource management, team leadership and creative ingenuity.

Wrapping up the ceremony, Decatur thanked the recipients and attendees.

“This is a great division. We are a hard-working bunch and it is important that we have fun.”

The following is a full list of this year’s recipients.

Exemplary Customer Service Award

Bernard Adams, Facilities Management

Adam Craig, Technology Services

Greg Felton, VCU Police

Yvonne Jones, Business Services

“Fun” Award Categories

Ambassador Award

Tanya Brown, VCU Police

David Plunkett, Grants and Contracts Accounting

Behind the Scenes Award

The Real Estate Team: Kellie Slutzah, Will Martin, Laura Vtipil, Schirra Hayes, Mitzi Lee and student workers Jenson Larrimore and Sierra King

Rosalyn Rippy, General Accounting

Beyond the Call of Duty Award

Matt Bentley, Parking and Transportation

Chris Preuss, VCU Police

Bright Idea Award

Tamara Highsmith and Bruce Schabinger, Business Services

Howard “Mike” O’Berry, VCU Police

Firefighting Award

Ed Hartless and Mark Powell, Facilities Management

Vicky West, Office of the Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration

More with Less Award

Melanie Barnes, Parking and Transportation

Connie Jefferson and Jessica Burruss, Controller’s Office

Fun at Work Award

Karen Fields, Human Resources

William “Bret” Lewis, Financial Reporting

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