The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Staff Service Recognition Ceremony honored staff members for service anniversaries and special accomplishments as 2018 drew to a close. Held December 18 in Lynn 1136 with a reception following in the Continuum Café, the event continued a long-standing tradition. In addition to recognizing staff members for significant service anniversaries, the ceremony also honored staff and faculty who have completed the Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine Certificate Program, and fall semester recipients of the Bravo Awards.
Dean Reed recognized staff with 15 years of service including (left-right) Julie Commons and Amy Huffman. (Not pictured: Louann Albregts, Deepika Dhawan, and Donna Tudor)
Dean Willie Reed began the ceremony by honoring staff members for every five years of service to the university. “Our College, as well as the university as a whole, benefits from the dedication, experience and expertise of these individuals,” Dean Reed said. “We are privileged to have a number of PVM staff members celebrating important service anniversaries this year.” The staff members honored during the reception for their service anniversaries are:
10 Years of Service:
- Melinda Cotton, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH)
- Molly Cripe Birt, VTH
- Jennifer Danaher, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS)
- Christina Deyoung, VTH
- Wright Frazier, Department of Veterinary Administration (VAD)
- Jeannine Henry, VAD
- Trinna Pierce, VTH
- Liane Shaw, VTH
- Lori Stout, VAD
- Jeremy Wampler, VTH
Pictured with Dean Reed (left-right): Elizabeth Brooks, Pamela Kirby, and Sheila Stingle celebrated 20 year service anniversaries.
15 Years of Service:
- Louann Albregts, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL)
- Julie Commons, VTH
- Deepika Dhawan, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS)
- Amy Huffman, VTH
- Donna Tudor, VTH
20 Years of Service:
- Elizabeth Brooks, VAD
- Pamela Kirby, VTH
- Sheila Stingle, VAD
25 Years of Service:
- Anisa Dunham, VCS
Barbara White celebrated 40 years of service at Purdue.
40 Years of Service:
- Barbara White, Department of Comparative Pathobiology (CPB)
“Thank you, again, to all of these members of our PVM family for your dedication and loyalty to our College and Purdue University,” Dean Reed said. “It is truly an honor to be able to celebrate these career milestones with you.”
Next, Dean Reed presented certificates to faculty and staff members who have completed the online Certificate Program for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine. “Diversity and inclusion are key components of our College’s values and culture, and we are proud of these individuals for their dedication in promoting a collegial work and learning environment enhanced by diversity,” Dean Reed said before introducing these recipients:
- Angela Bittner, histology laboratory technician, ADDL
- Allison Carey, communications specialist, VAD
- Angela Chan, molecular diagnostics development supervisor, ADDL
- Amy Fridlund, histology laboratory technician, ADDL
- Kayla Guenther, laboratory records clerk, ADDL
- Lizelle Hidalgo, histology laboratory technician, ADDL
- Aimee Highland, communications and special projects coordinator, ADDL
- Dr. Stephen Hooser, professor and head of toxicology, CPB/ADDL
- Dr. Stephanie Inoue, emergency clinician, VTH
- Natalia Knowlton, bacteriology laboratory technician, ADDL
- Chelsi Laposi, program coordinator for Global Engagement, VAD
- Velina Lindley, molecular diagnostics operations supervisor, ADDL
- Osmar Lopez, senior web developer, VAD
- Dr. Margaret “Peg” Miller, anatomic pathology training coordinator and professor of veterinary pathology, CPB/ADDL
- Farren Osborn, molecular laboratory technician, ADDL
- Eric Pouliot, molecular laboratory technician, ADDL
- Abigail Props, toxicology laboratory technician, ADDL
- Hilary Richards, toxicology laboratory technician, ADDL
- Mary Ruzicka, administrative assistant and building deputy, ADDL
- LeAnna Sanders, small animal surgery technologist, VTH
- Amy Smeltzer, accessioning records clerk, ADDL
- Margie Veverka, receptionist, ADDL
- Dr. Rebecca Wilkes, assistant professor and section head for molecular diagnostics, CPB/ADDL
Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff also were recognized at the ceremony for completion of the Certificate for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine online program.
Dean Reed concluded the recognition ceremony by presenting Bravo Awards, which recognize substantial accomplishments by Purdue employees that extend well beyond regular work responsibilities. The awards can be given to acknowledge exceptional efforts in any of four categories:
- Moving the University Forward — accomplishments or contributions that transform or advance university objectives;
- Innovation and Creativity — innovative work or suggestions well beyond standard job requirements that significantly improve operational efficiencies or introduce new or improved processes;
- Operational Excellence — extraordinary effort during times of critical departmental need; and,
- Fiscal Stewardship — significant cost saving or cost avoidance realized beyond normally expected or established standards.
The Bravo Award recipients received a certificate as well as a cash prize. The following awards were given based on nominations submitted for the second half of 2018:
- Mijana Beckett was recognized for Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence as laboratory technician in virology and molecular biology in ADDL
- Sean Brant was recognized for Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence and Fiscal Stewardship as Central Supply manager in VTH
- Alex Guadarrama was recognized for Moving the University Forward and Operational Excellence as instructional designer in PVM-IT
- Samantha McFarland was recognized for Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence as assistant director of financial affairs in VAD
- Kristy Myers was recognized for Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence and Innovation and Creativity as instructional designer in PVM-IT
- Shelly Opperman was recognized for Innovation and Creativity as academic advisor in the Veterinary Nursing Program in VAD
- Jeri Tullius was recognized for Innovation and Creativity and Operational Excellence and Fiscal Stewardship as an oncology technologist in VTH
- Amalia de Gortari, who recently retired from the VTH oncology section, where she served as oncology technologist/supervisor, was recognized for establishing and coordinating the Student Oncology Volunteer Program
- Margie Veverka was recognized for Operational Excellence as reception clerk in ADDL
The ceremony also recognized Bravo Award winners, which recognizes substantial accomplishments by Purdue employees. Pictured with Dean Reed (left-right) Margie Veverka, Jeri Tullius, Sean Brant, Shelly Opperman, Samantha McFarland, Alex Guadarrama, and Kristy Myers. (Not pictured: Mijana Beckett and Amalia de Gortari)
Congratulations to all of the award recipients!