Rachel Courtney and her husband Michael Wagner welcomed Emil Alexander Wagner into the world on December 28, 2012. Rachel is the physics lab coordinator in Schaefer Hall.
Archives for May 2013
Monthly Staff Recognition Award
Apr ’13
Carla Blanton, Office Associate II
“Carla goes the extra mile in providing customer service to all visitors, staff and students. She displays commitment to her team of co-workers by volun-teering to work extra hours when needed and rearranging her personal schedule for extended periods of time to cover co-workers emergency leave.” – Nominator
Mar ’13
Ty Reynolds, General Trades Mechanic
“Ty does more than the mini-mum and isn’t satisfied until the job is done right. She takes pride in her work and it shows in her positive attitude.”
-Nominator
Nomination forms for the monthly award are available in department offices and online. They are due the 3rd Friday of every month to Beth Byrd (eabyrd@smcm.edu or Alumni House).
Office News
- Green Dot is the Sexual Assault/Wellness Advocate’s new bystander intervention pro-gram that has the simple goal of reducing power-based violence in our community by asking people to recognize potentially risky situations (red dots) and choose to do something to intervene (Green Dot). Professional staff were Green Dot trained at a luncheon this spring. To learn more or submit a Green Dot you have done recently email them at greendot@smcm.edu, or contact them on Facebook or Tumblr.
- If you haven’t done so already, check out the Library’s Blog “Beyond the Bookshelves”. The Library also has a cool YouTube video with students showing where in the Library is their favorite place to study: “This is My Library.” It’s well done and has a terrific soundtrack! Watch it here.
- The Alumni Office and the Office of External Relations teamed up on a YouTube video to advertise Alumni Weekend, coming up June 7-9. Check it out here.
Welcome to St. Mary’s!
Advancement
- Nicole T. Lay, Fiscal Administrator
- Gregory J. Beyna, Annual Giving Officer
Business Affairs
- Jacqueline P. Trenholm, Accounts Receivable Specialist
Information Technology
- Benjamin P. Casto, User Support Specialist
Library
- Alana M. Verminski, Assistant Librarian
- Kent D. Randell, College Archivist/Librarian I
Hats Off to Our Incredible Staff!
- Kyle Bishop just completed her Ph.D. in counseling psychology with a concentration in counselor education. Congratulations, Kyle!
- Lee Capristo offered a professional development workshop on office writing on March 12.
- Sally Mercer offered two professional development workshops this semester; “12 Mistakes that Managers Make” on March 22 and “Leadership at Every Level” on April 4.
- Joanne Goldwater is codirector of the 16th annual Regional Entry-Level Institute at NYU in late May. She is also current chair of the Foundation Board of ACUHO-I and will present two programs at its annual conference in June. In September, Joanne will present a webinar for PaperClip Communications called “Dealing with Difficult Student Employees.”
- Chip Jackson graduated from Leadership Southern Maryland in May. The year-long leadership program has two other current SMCM staff as grads: Liisa Franzén, Class of 2009, and Lee Capristo, Class of 2011.
- Kelly Smolinsky is a first-time homeowner. She used the House Keys 4 Employees program for state of Maryland employees to help her get a good deal. Learn more about the program and its benefits here.
A Real Do-It-Yourselfer! By Hannah Brown ’13
Ashley Stopera, in addition to being the College’s graphic designer, runs a Do It Yourself Blog, Design-Waffle.com. The Blog accounts her most recent DIY projects, with photos and step by step walkthroughs. Starting in early 2013, Ashley has posted about projects related to her home, wedding, and graphic design.
What made you decide to start a blog?
I decided it was time to blog when so many people were asking me the same questions. It seemed easier to just write about the process and publicly share it rather than repeat myself. To date, no one has asked any more questions so I guess they’re reading! I also had quite a few people urging me to start blogging and I finally gave in.
What is your beginner’s advice to someone who’s thinking of starting their own blog?
I started blogging in January, so I definitely still consider myself a beginner. I’ve learned a lot in just a few short months. I recommend planning out your posts prior to setting up your blog. You need to identify the purpose for writing and what information you think is most useful
for your readers. Regardless of the subject, all readers want to see a lot of photos, and they won’t stick around to read a novel. I suggest keeping the text as concise as possible.
How did you first get interested in DIY?
I’ve been making all sorts of things since before I can remember. Like most people, it started with popsicle sticks and cotton balls in elementary school art classes. Then the next thing I know, I’m in my 20’s and I’ve graduated to reupholstering office chairs, making chandeliers, sewing Kindle cases and all the other crazy things I get myself into. Every project starts with a Google search of what I’m looking for (with the initial intent to purchase the item) and when I can’t find it (because I’m incredibly indecisive and picky) I figure out how to make it. Then I share my process through blogging.
What has been the hardest DIY project you’ve tackled so far?
So far, the most challenging project I have worked on was sewing all new cushions for my Mom’s sunroom furniture… 13 in total. I’d sewn only one cushion in the past and I was really in over my head with this project. Apparently one cushion made me an expert in my mind so I agreed to the project without thinking. The deadline was very tight, due to a magazine photo shoot, which had me really squirming, but who needs sleep, right? My Mom and I were very pleased with the results. Afterwards I was saying things like “I don’t think I want to do that again” or “why did I think this was a good idea?” I’m a good problem solver so when something doesn’t work out the way I’d planned, I always find a solution. I even fess up in my blog so my readers get a few what not to do tips.
What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on?
I have a project in mind that I know, when finished, will be the most rewarding project
I will ever have worked on. I’m currently in talks with helping fundraise and design a
public playground in memory of my nephew and other community members. I’d like to honor his life with a place he would have loved and to have a place where our family and the entire community
can enjoy. When I have an update on the progress, I’ll be sure to share with everyone at SMCM.
Joe Carroll Award
A 20-year member of our house-keeping staff, Joe Carroll died on July 17, 2011, at age 66. In his memory, the Joe Carroll Memorial Award was created by faculty and staff. This award recognizes non-exempt staff members who exemplify Joe’s commitment to the campus community. The award was first made at Awards Convocation on April 27, 2012.
The winner of the award for 2013 is Earl P. Dean, Equipment Room Supervisor for Athletics.
Congratulations, Earl!
Tuition Remission Program
The Professional Development Committee of the Staff Senate has been hard at work at your behalf and is excited to announce a new Tuition Remission Program for Full-time Staff of SMCM to attend Maryland Community Colleges!
As a public honors college, SMCM values education and encourages all to be lifelong learners. This value applies to staff as well as students. By providing financial assistance that enables staff members to pursue educational goals that encourage personal growth, as well as providing technical and professional skills that enhance job performance, SMCM demonstrates a real commitment to maintaining quality personnel to accomplish the College’s mission.
In encouraging others to pursue additional educational opportunities with both direct and indirect application to the employee’s position, the College emphasizes another of its stated goals—make education affordable and enhance our diversity.
Here’s how the program works:
- Full-time employees who occupy permanent positions are eligible to enroll in a maximum of six (6) credits per semester at a Maryland Community College.
- Employees may, with the approval of their supervisor(s), take one (1) course during working hours provided all lost work time is made up within the same work week.
- All fees and course-related expenses are then the responsibility of the employee.
Applications for the Maryland Community College program must be completed by the deadlines established by St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Information about deadlines can be obtained from the SMCM Office of Human Resources and the Maryland Community College of choice, such as the College of Southern Maryland.
Spaces for this program are limited. Please see https://www.smcm.edu/staffsenate/tuitionremissionforMDCC.html for more details about the pilot program starting in FY14 and to download the application.