Employee Recognition Awards - Fall 2007

This winner is dedicated to his job and is referred to as the “math warden” in the Trio-Student Support Services program. This is a person of many talents, and probably his most outstanding is his patience. He helps students overcome their fear of math, and is willing to repeat the same material for students until they understand it. Students avow that he is a natural teacher with the ability to instill confidence and motivate them to reach their goals.

His belief in learning applies to himself, as he is a student in the master’s degree program at UNCC.   While he may be virtually invisible on campus – since he rarely leaves the tutoring lab -- to his students he is a constant, welcoming, and generous presence. 

Let’s thank a truly dedicated and deserving part-time employee—Dean Smithwick.

This winner is an exemplary employee who has the endorsement of many of her co-workers. Accolades include outstanding organizational skills, respect for all, a professional attitude, and a pleasant demeanor.

She has a tough job, covering a department of over 80 people, but is able to keep up with meetings, schedules, events, and construction projects—all with a smile. She is totally focused on the needs of every employee in Facilities Services and shows the patience of a saint. Her commitment to learning and her willingness to go the extra mile was evident when she handled the many details necessary to ensure that four grounds personnel could travel to received certifications and licenses.

As one nominator said, when Maria Harrell is on your team, you are in good hands! Congratulations, Maria!

This winner makes Cato campus a wonderful place for students, faculty, and staff. His calm and reasoned approach to his responsibilities and to people inspires respect and admiration for all who witness him on the job.

High expectations, problem solving, and trust enhance this administrator’s leadership and professionalism. He approaches his job with vigor and energy, while striving for and achieving excellence.

He balances a smile with a no-nonsense attitude - a perfect combination for his job. He walks around Cato with an easy step, talks with people in a calm reasonable voice, and is thinking all the time. These traits give students and staff confidence in the security of the campus while he maintains a pleasant demeanor and approachable attitude.

One nominator summarized: Lockwood Ray is the embodiment of both student success and the learning college—he is the catalyst that makes learning happen on a daily basis at Cato. He is truly the best!

The entire faculty in her department, who claim that her award is long overdue, nominated this winner. Her nominators say that the reason may be because she is behind the scenes, content to work out of the spotlight.

However, this faculty member is one who touches the lives of her students every day. She cares about every single one of them. She balances her caring nature with high standards for her classes. Her colleagues count on her knowledge and expertise in their subject matter.

She has shown leadership by generously devoting time to numerous College committees and volunteers to participate in many other College initiatives and projects—always with enthusiasm.

One student wrote about her: “Once in a lifetime someone meets an instructor who has a profound affect on his or her life, and she had that affect on me. She deserves recognition for her relentless dedication to CPCC and all of the students on whom she has had a positive impact. It is because of instructors like Linda White, CPCC is a better institution of higher learning”.

Linda, please come forward so that we may recognize you as Faculty member for fall 2007.

The nomination for the Classified Staff winner begins, “I have never seen anyone more dedicated to the job than this person.” That is quite a statement. It goes on to say that she comes to work hours early and stays late. When the new IT building opened, this person worked diligently behind the scenes installing computers and software, reimaging computers, and coordinating course set up requirements. This background work is what enables our faculty and staff to provide the effective learning environment that we can offer to our students at CPCC.

While this person is an inspiration to her co-workers for her work ethic, more importantly, she is admired for the person that she is. She develops relationships with her co-workers and students that continue even after they have left CPCC. She treats her employees as she would her own children, being honestly interested in their well-being and development. Whether it is her diligence in job performance, her empathy in helping students, or her informative nature with coworkers, she does all of these things with a willing and friendly heart.

Please recognize one of CPCC’s greatest assets, our classified employee of the year from Instructional Technology Services – Page Kelly.

FACULTY 2007 ANNUAL AWARD WINNER: Wilma Hood