Approximately 500 people attended the most recent Employee Service and Recognition Awards Ceremony, during which Mark Rosenberg, president of Florida International University (FIU), traced the history of the university by focusing on milestone events in increments of five years, matched to the equivalent years of service of those being honored.
The theme of the event, which took place on October 27, 2009, was “The FIU Story: Our Past, Present and Future.” Each historical marker brought memories to those who had been employed since that time.
Many members of the College of Business Administration’s faculty and staff were acknowledged for service spanning from five to 25 years. Rosenberg also paid tribute to retired members of the university community and set aside a moment of silence for colleagues who have died, including Elsa Villar, program assistant, Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER).
Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the business school noted the value of employees’ contributions and expressed her gratitude.
“It is their experience and determination that makes the college succeed and thrive,” she said.
Two staff members contributed to winning teams.
She also commended those who were nominated and recipients of the university’s recognition awards.
“Through their hard work and innovation, they have enriched the reputation of their departments, the college and the university,” she said. “They have set the bar for all of us to aspire to, which ultimately will take the college to heights never before achieved.”
Robert Garcia (EMBA ’97), director, Executive and Professional Education, received the Presidential Excellence Award for his contributions to the 15-person Performance Excellence Process (PEP) team. PEP is the newly instituted method for performance appraisals for all FIU employees.
Beverly Z. Welber, assistant director, communications, Department of Marketing, Communications and Recruiting, was recognized as part of the 17-member News@FIU team, which won the FIU Community Award, sponsored by Gabor Agency, Inc. News@FIU is the new university-wide news portal.
Service recognition
5 Years
Deanne Butchey
Aya Chacar
Kristi Chavez
Brice Dupoyet
Kaushik Dutta
Sumit Kundu
Isabel Lopez
Suchismita Mishra
Anthony Miyazaki
Paola Moreno
Sarah Perez
Kannan Raghunandan
Dasaratha Rama
Andrea Rodgers
Barry Shiflett
Maria Sierra
Helen Simon
Sonia Verdu
10 Years
Connie Freeland
Faisal Kaleem
Walfried Lassar
Adelaida Ojeda
15 Years
Gladys Bellon
Eva Gasson
Mary Ann Von Glinow
20 Years
Chun-Hao Chang
Barnett Greenberg
Shahid Hamid
John Tsalikis
25 Years
Constance Bates
Sushil Gupta
James Keys
George Kyparisis
Ronnie Silverblatt
John Wrieden
University Recognition nominees and awardees
FIU Sustainability Award: promoted FIU’s respect for the environment by providing knowledge, education, and modeling ways to achieve climate preservation as well as capitalize on the economic opportunities of the solutions developed. The following were nominated:
Angie Letona coordinator, BBA+ program
Beverly Z. Welber, as part of the News@FIU team
FIU Knowledge Award: served as a role model for the pursuit, generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge through professional development, mentorship, and/or peer development. The following were nominated:
Marguarette Johnson, senior secretary, School of Accounting
Lili Sasso, office manager, Department of Finance and Real Estate, as part of SASS Office
FIU Opportunity Award: promoted FIU’s vision of being a top urban, public, research university by contributing outstanding service to the university or community. The following was nominated:
Beverly Z. Welber, as part of the News@FIU team
FIU Torch Award: exemplified FIU’s institutional values of honesty, integrity and truth by exhibiting the highest standards of character and ethical behavior. The following were nominated:
Marguarette Johnson, senior secretary, School of Accounting
Jessica Ugaz, secretary, Department of Finance and Real Estate
FIU Community Award: supported the university’s mission of promoting exemplary public service and fostering innovation on a project or program that helped to advance the university or the community during the past year. The following were nominated:
Marguarette Johnson, senior secretary, School of Accounting
Beverly Z. Welber, won as part of the News@FIU team
Presidential Excellence Award: supported institutional, strategic and operational excellence by restructuring processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and quality; and/or by implementing critical programs; receiving recognition from peers in the academic community for excellence in research, scholastic or creative activities.
Marguarette Johnson, senior secretary, School of Accounting
Beverly Z. Welber, as part of the News@FIU team
Robert Garcia, won as part of the PEP team
