White Named Spring Employee of the Semester

VALDOSTA - Financial Services employee Jenny White was named the Spring 2009 Employee of the Semester at a Council on Staff Affairs meeting held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, in the University Center Rose Room.

A budget analysts for more than six years, White's dedication to creative problem solving and positive customer service have earned her a coveted place on the COSA Employee of the Semester plaque displayed in the president's office. She also received $100, a certificate of appreciation and an award basket stocked with VSU merchandise.

Holding a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration from VSU, White is responsible for day-to-day budget maintenance and working with budget managers to resolve problems through creative solutions and identifying available funding. She also provides support for the university's institutional reporting and accounting functions and works on other related special projects. White's nominations detailed her commitment to go above and beyond her responsibilities as well as her ability to respond to budget manager concerns with respect, timeliness, courteousness and professionalism.

Hazel McCoggle, a custodial supervisor in Campus Recreation, was honored as a first runner-up for excelling at her responsibilities and surpassing general standards. During her five years of service at VSU, she has been known for her patience, leadership, customer service skills and passion for the university's mission.

Mark Mears, administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, was also honored as a first runner-up because of his wise and thoughtful counsel, ability to manage the flow of daily operations, and promptness in responding to problems or needs. He has developed many techniques and processes that help faculty members, students and other members of the college in their efforts to reach success and fulfill the university's mission.

From left: Jan Fackler, Mark Mears, Karen Jarvis, Jenny White and Hazel McCoggle. Photo by Jennifer Tanner

Second runner-up, Jan Fackler serves as the director of Budget Services for VSU. Known as unfailingly polite and utterly dependable, the number cruncher is known for solving budget puzzles and probing unique possibilities for complicated problems, while displaying professionalism and passion for her responsibilities.

Like the Employee of the Semester, all runners-up received a cash prize and an award basket with gifts from VSU Athletics, the VSU Bookstore, Mail Services, Special Events and COSA.

Honorable mention recipients included Valerie Bayman, Brian Haugabrook, Jodi Gaiss, Sherri McDonald, Joshua Luke, Carolyn Price, Kathy Sundin, Linnie Kinard, Karen Jarvis, Cheryl Sault, Ted Davis, Jr. and Patricia Stone.

The Employee of the Semester recognition program began in 1994 as a method to recognize and celebrate the successes of classified staff employees who have gone above and beyond their assigned duties to make a significant contribution to the university. For more information, call chairman Richard Hammond at (229) 333-5898 or e-mail cosa@valdosta.edu.