Staff Senate & Staff Association

Supporting employee wellness and achievement

Archives for December 2013

Monthly Staff Recognition Award

November 2013
Ben Casto, Learning Technologist
“Ben is a true team player and a great resource for faculty, staff and students resolving issues at the IT Support Center and supervising many student workers.”
– Nominator

 

Nominate a worthy staff member today! Winners receive 5 FREE tickets to the Great Room. 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).

Now That’s Service!

Congratulations to the following staff who have served the College for 5 to 25 years If you see these folks on campus or in town, stop and say “Thanks for a job well done!”

25 Years of Service:

  • Jeffrey A. Barnes – Senior Database Administrator, Information Technology
  • Richard T. Wagner – Director of the Campus Store

20 Years of Service:

  • Thomas B. Brewer, III– Laboratory Coordinator, Schaefer Hall
  • Michelle L. Forinash – Assistant Director of Human Resources
  • Joanne A. Goldwater – Associate Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life
  • Steven W. Gregory – Superintendent of Grounds
  • Richard D. Platt – Associate Dean of Faculty, Academic Affairs

15 Years of Service:

  • James S. Gott –Assistant Supervisor of Trades, Physical Plant
  • Nadine L. Hutton – Director of Financial Aid
  • Kathryn S. Lewin – Office Associate II, Goodpaster Hall
  • Mark Mimay – HVAC Mechanic, Physical Plant
  • Kennie A. Rodgers – Assistant Supervisor of Housekeeping, Physical Plant

10 Years of Service:

  • Derek K. Thornton – Assistant Vice President of Campus Operations, Physical Plant
  • Marsha L. Wilcox – Financial Aid Coordinator, Financial Aid

5 Years of Service:

  • Joshua D. Allen –Senior Web Administrator, Information Technology
  • Kyle K. Bishop – Director of Counseling Services
  • George E. Bryant – Caretaker I, Physical Plant
  • Kevin T. Duffy – Groundskeeper/Gardener I
  • Sahra I. Grube – General Support Staff/Mail, Physical Plant
  • Patrick G. Hunt – Procurement Officer/Director of Auxiliary Operations, Business Affairs
  • Roberto N. Ifill – Interim Dean of Students
  • Richard W. Loheed, II – Assistant Director of Waterfront Activities, Waterfront
  • Gabriel A. Mbomeh – Director of Accounting/Comptroller, Business Affairs
  • Clinton B. Neill – Assistant Director of Student Activities
  • Kathryn D. Newkirk – Head Women’s Field Hockey Coach, Athletics & Recreation
  • Sylvester L. Parran, Jr. – Groundskeeper I
  • Catherine A. Robinson – Budget Analyst, Business Affairs

Off to the Wild Blue Yonder with Our Best Wishes
Can’t imagine ever leaving this place? The following staff and faculty made the leap to retirement during 2013:

  • Julia R. Bates (10 years) – Facilitator for Educational Studies and St. Mary’s Projects
  • Gail Dean (29 years) – Administrative Assistant, Office of Academic Affairs
  • Janet M. Kosarych-Coy (23 years) – Assistant Professor
  • Jack D. Short (16 years) – Computer Programmer/Analyst, Information Technology
  • Lois T. Stover (16 years) – Professor of Educational Studies
  • Lane A. Anderson (19 years) – Media Infrastructure Specialist, Library
  • Janet M. Lawrence (21 years) – Office Associate I, Admissions
  • Donna Richardson (32 years) – Professor of English

Hats Off to Our Incredible Staff!

  • Tina Garner recently joined the Calvert Commission for Women. This organization helps females by passing on important and vital information with a creative positive movement twist.
  • Joanne Goldwater was interviewed on the Fox 45 (Baltimore) Morning News on Sun, Nov 17. A colleague, Katie Boone, from UMBC joined her. They shared information on Gender- Neutral Housing  (called “Open Housing” at SMCM). Arminta Stanfield did a great job prepping Joanne and Katie for their interview.
  • Frances Titus completed the 7-week (21 hours) Citizen Academy offered by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department. The program allows participants (anyone over the age of 18) to see the day-to-day operations of the department and the opportunity to learn about topics such as the K-9 unit, Forensics/Crime Lab, Community Policing, and Uniform Patrol. Frances says, “I learned so much ‘behind the scenes’ information. The experience increased my appreciation and respect of our local law enforcement. I encourage others to attend.” Get more info and the program application at http://www.firstsheriff.com/citizensacademy.asp

Staff Spotlight: Meet Ben Casto, Senior Learning Technologist

How long have you been at SMCM?
I’ve been working for the College almost two years, but have been an active member of the SMCM community for almost seven years now. I attended St. Mary’s from 2006-2010 for undergrad, 2010-2011 for MAT, and have worked here since 2012.

What path led you to St. Mary’s?
I came here after a family friend told about the school. I regularly came back for alumni events, and found an opportunity to work and live in the area, with the help of my former adviser, Katy Arnett, at the end of 2011.

What do you do by day?
I field some calls to the IT Support Center, and do some Tier 1 troubleshooting, but my main responsibilities are administering the SMCM Course Evaluations, providing Blackboard and Google training, and writing support documentation for SMCM campus systems.

What do you do with your evenings/weekends?
Netflix is a crucial aspect of my evenings during the week, but I tend to go to beer tastings, art events,
and compete in bikeathons on the weekend.

What is your favorite off-campus lunch spot?
I will never say “no” to a Hot Ciabatta Mama from St. James Deli.

What would colleagues be surprised to find out about you?
My Lego collection takes up most of my walk-in closet.

What is the most interesting/surprising job you’ve ever had?
I used to be a manager at the Daily Grind.

Staff Spotlight: Meet Alicia Lyons, Web Specialist

How long have you been at SMCM?
I have been at SMCM for three and a half years. I started as program assistant at the Center for the Study of Democracy, then event coordinator in the Events Office and now web specialist in Web Services.

What path led you to St. Mary’s?
I have a bit of a unique background. I received a BA in Acting from Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London. My final year of drama school, I was teaching first year acting and running college entrance auditions as well as writing and producing short films. After drama school I moved to New York and worked in theatre and film. I then moved to Hawaii and continued to write for film and I had a very tiny part on a TV show. I met my boyfriend whilst in Hawaii. We moved to Philadelphia and I worked as a casting director and acting coach. Then we moved here for my boyfriend’s work.

What do you do by day?
I maintain the College’s website and we have just started the process of redesigning the website.

What do you do with your evenings/weekends?
Hang out with my friends and do some things around the county. I love Oyster Fest. I went to Sotterley’s ghost tours and we eat out a lot. I also like finding crazy things to do. I recently went ghost hunting at Point Lookout and took trapeze lessons in DC. In the summer, I enjoy fishing, crabbing, hiking with the dogs and going out on the boat.

What is your favorite off-campus lunch spot?
If I have the time, Courtney’s.

What would colleagues be surprised to find out about you?
I come from one of the oldest gypsy families in England.

What is the most interesting/surprising job you’ve ever had?
I’ve had a lot of weird ones. I was a street performer in college. I used to do fire poi.

Winter foods that make us go “Mmmm!”

  • Beth Rushing—Hot apple cider and kale soup. Not together, though!
  • Tina Garner– Sugar cookies
  • Angie Draheim—chicken pot pie with lingonberry jam
  • Peggy Aud—anything cooked in the crock pot!
  • Thomas Ford—Chili with cornbread
  • Lee Stutka—Spaghetti & meatballs, merlot, hot crusty bread
  • Dana Burke—grilled cheese & tomato soup
  • Nairem Moran—coquito (Puerto Rican eggnog)
  • Jim McGuire—stuffed ham
  • Adam Werblow—beef stew, oysters, oyster stew, hot chocolate,anything warm
  • Kriantae Plater—fried sweet potatoes, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate
  • Linda Wallace—Pumpkin soup & chocolate pecan pie
  • Stacey Goddard—homemade chicken noodle soup
  • Lea Waldridge—soup, soup, and more soup
  • Lisa Youngborg—Red beans with sausage
  • Alan Lutton—gingerbread!
  • Sandy Quattlebaum—Vin Chard (mulled wine) & Bailey’s Irish cream with coffee. Both are good for taking off the winter chill 🙂