ALLIANCE, Ohio — As part of its annual Employee Recognition Ceremony, held virtually for the second consecutive year, the University of Mount Union presented awards to its faculty and staff. With a hybrid model of learning and a host of new implementations on Mount Union’s campus, these employees have been diligent in providing an exceptional experience on campus.

STAFF RECOGNITIONS

The Elizabeth W. and Joseph K. Davidson Staff Award is presented each year to a staff member that best represents the values and principles of Mount Union. The 2020-2021 recipient of this award is Mark Kolenz, director of information technology for operations. He has been at Mount Union in the Office of Information Technology (IT) since 2006.

The Outstanding Support Staff Award is given to a support staff member at the University of Mount Union to recognize the hard work and outstanding contributions made to Mount Union. The 2020-2021 recipient of this award is Traci McGary Finnegin, education coordinator in the Department of Education. She has been with Mount Union since 2003.

The Outstanding Hourly Staff Award is given to an hourly staff member at the University of Mount Union to recognize the hard work and outstanding contributions made to Mount Union. Recognized for the 2020-2021 edition of this award is Denise Hamsher, housekeeper. She has been with Mount Union since 2017.

Mount Union has also been in the process of implementing a new Student Information System (SIS) software system, which replaces and consolidates several legacy systems at the University. A Mount Union team consisting of representatives from the Offices of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, the University Registrar, Business Affairs, Student Financial Services, Enrollment Management, HR/Payroll and Information Technology have been diligently working on this project for the past two years.

"As we near completion, we would like to acknowledge and thank those who have essentially been given a second job to implement the new system," said Ron Crowl, associate vice president for planning and program implementation and chief planning officer. "They have continued to do their regular work and this important work to implement the new system. Thank you to all of you who have had any part in the process of this implementation."

FACULTY RECOGNITIONS

In their third year of presentation, the faculty awards are presented based on teaching, scholarship and service, as voted on by members of the Tenure and Promotion and Continuation Committee. 

Dr. Richelle Teeling-Smith, assistant professor of physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Grant Cook, Margaret Morgan Ramsey Professor in Music and director of choral activities in the Department of Music, was awarded the Distinguished Scholarship Award. Dr. Robert Ekey, professor of physics and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Leslie Shaffer, lecturer in education and employee with the Alliance City Health Department, was named the Outstanding Adjunct Award recipient.

SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Mount Union also recognized several individuals for their years of service, including 17 people with five years of service, 15 with 10 years of service, eight with 15 years of service, six with 20 years of service and three with 25 years of service.