The Purdue Veterinary Medicine family gathered at the end of 2019 to honor staff and faculty for special accomplishments and to recognize staff members celebrating service anniversaries. During the recognition ceremony held in Lynn Hall, Room 1136, on Tuesday, December 17, Dean Willie Reed individually congratulated staff members who reached key service anniversaries in 2019, and then honored those who recently completed the Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine Certificate Program, before concluding the program by presenting several Bravo Awards.
“One of the privileges I have as Dean is recognizing the loyalty of our staff members,” Dean Reed said. Then he called forward staff members celebrating service anniversary milestones in groups according to their years of service. The following individuals were recognized for service anniversaries ranging from 10 to 40 years:
10 Years of Service:
- Jim Brown, technical support analyst – Laptop Program, Department of Veterinary Administration (VAD)
- Brenda Dittmar, Small Animal Hospital receptionist, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH)
- Theresa Jeffrey, veterinary farm manager, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS)
- Abhijit Mukhopadhyay, laboratory research technologist, VCS
- Michelle Ruedin, technical support analyst, VAD
- Jennifer Smith, Veterinary Nursing instructional technologist, VAD
- Linnette White, lead advisor, IU School of Medicine – West Lafayette (IUSM)
15 Years of Service:
- Danielle Buchanan, Clinical Skills Laboratory manager, VAD
- Mary Jayne Downey, business manager, VTH
- Valery Patsekin, research scientist, Department of Basic Medical Sciences (BMS)
- Susan Xioufaridou, director of alumni relations and special events, VAD
20 Years of Service:
- V. Lynn Carmony, human resources account clerk, VTH
- Jennifer Nunan, account assistant, VAD
- Nicole Rosen, Clinical Pathology Laboratory supervisor, VTH
- Saralyn Sharp, Small Animal Primary Care technologist, VTH
25 Years of Service:
- Kyle Clever, Equine Community Practice technician, VTH
- Donna Fulkerson, medical program administrator, IUSM
- Jason Lee, systems engineer, VTH
30 Years of Service:
- Kathryn Ragheb, laboratory technician, BMS
- Ingrid Schoenlein, research assistant, BMS
35 Years of Service:
- Carlene Linn, Office of Academic Affairs administrative assistant, VAD
- Pamela Phegley, Veterinary Nursing clinical rotation/mentorship coordinator, VAD
40 Years of Service:
- Kathy Allen, business manager, VAD
- Barbara Cochran, Office of the Dean administrative assistant, VAD
- Lisa Wright, account clerk, VAD
As photos of the groups were taken, it was pointed out that another honoree is Dean Reed himself, who was recognized for 20 years of cumulative service to Purdue, most recently as Dean and, in the 1980s, as chief of avian diseases in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, a position he held along with his role as a faculty member in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology.
Following the service anniversary recognition, Dean Reed presented certificates to individuals who 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 I am proud of these individuals for their dedication in promoting a collegial work and learning environment enhanced by diversity,” Dean Reed said. The following certificate recipients were honored:
- Barbara Cochran, Office of the Dean administrative assistant, VAD
- Dr. Paulo Gomes, clinical assistant professor of dermatology, VCS
- Leanne Nieforth, graduate research assistant for human-animal psychology, CPB
- Katharine Zehr, Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion senior administrative assistant
Lastly, Dean Reed presented Bravo Awards, which recognize substantial accomplishments by Purdue employees that extend well beyond regular work responsibilities. “These awards are for concrete or measurable goal achievement or contribution, for which the employee receives no other honor, award, or compensation,” Dean Reed explained. Winners may be recognized 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 recipients were chosen based on nominations submitted for the second half of 2019, and each received a certificate to display with pride as well as a cash prize. Congratulations to the following Bravo Award recipients:
- Timothy Arlowe, laboratory technician in the Gross Anatomy Prep Laboratory, recognized for “Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence and Innovation and Creativity”
- V. Lynn Carmony, human resources account clerk, VTH, honored for “Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence”
- Julie Commons, nephrology and urology technologist, VTH, recognized for “Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence”
- Mindy Cotton, behavior technician, VTH, honored for “Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence”
- Cindy Lavignette, client liaison representative, VTH, recognized for “Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence”
- Abhuit Mukhopadhyay, laboratory research technologist, VCS, in appreciation for “Moving the University Forward, Innovation and Creativity, and Operational Excellence”
- Cynthia Ralston, client liaison representative, VTH, honored for “Innovation and Creativity and Operational Excellence”
- Janet Rivers, purchasing account clerk, VTH, recognized for “Exemplary Contributions to Operational Excellence”
- Sheila Stingle, account assistant, VAD, honored for “Operational Excellence”
- Louann Albregts, Tracey Clark, Brenda Turner, and Becca Witman, members of the Serology section in the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, recognized for “Operational Excellence and Fiscal Stewardship”
Dean Reed concluded the ceremony by saying, “We appreciate and thank all of our staff members for their dedication and commitment to the College of Veterinary Medicine.” A reception for the honorees was held in the Veterinary Medical Library after the ceremony.