The Georgia Center for Continuing Education's Annual Awards and Recognition Programs turned eight on December 20, 1996, as the Center acknowledged outstanding employee service and retirees. Each year since 1989, the "Award for Excellence," the "Outstanding Service Awards," and occasional special awards, such as the "Teamwork Award," are given during a December ceremony just prior to the Center's holiday celebration.
All Georgia Center employees are invited to nominate colleagues for consideration; votes are cast by a committee made up of the director, the associate directors, and the two most recent recipients of the "Award for Excellence." Also recognized annually are those who retired during the calendar year or who reached "milestones" (5, 10, 15, 20, etc. years of employment). The names of those honored are displayed permanently at the Georgia Center.
"It's very important to recognize the Georgia Center's talented faculty and staff who serve with exceptional merit. They are richly deserving of the honor bestowed on them by their colleagues," said Edward G. Simpson, Jr., Georgia Center director and University of Georgia associate vice president for public service and outreach.
Congratulations to all!
"I think everyone has the same response when your name is called -- shock! I don't really remember walking up there to receive the award," said Burgess.
With the Center since 1987, and The University of Georgia since 1984 (working with the University's Personnel Services, now Human Resources, from 1984-1987), Burgess is responsible for numerous tasks that "keep things rolling" in the Department of Television Services. These include maintaining departmental budgets, billing, programming the Center's television series that run on Georgia Public Television and local cable systems, handling the processing of sales of the department's books and videotapes, and assisting with the presentation of teleconferences. She is also a member of the Center's Committee on Organizational Culture and Staff Advisory Group.
"There are so many Center employees who do an excellent job. Receiving the award makes you feel appreciated. Knowing that you were nominated by colleagues is even more special," said Burgess. As a recipient of this award, Burgess will be asked to be part of the Awards and Recognition Committee for the next two years. "With so many worthy of recognition, it will be a challenge to narrow down the nominations to just a few," she said.
"What makes the Center an enjoyable place to work is the staff. The professionalism, the camaraderie -- all create a wonderful environment."
The "Award for Excellence" is presented annually for "sustained, exemplary, and meritorious performance in support of the mission of the Georgia Center."
The "Outstanding Service Awards" are presented annually for "excellence in job performance, outstanding support of the public service concept, and significant achievement in the mission of the Georgia Center."
A special "Teamwork Award" was given to the entire staff and faculty of the Georgia Center for their participation in helping Atlanta and The University of Georgia host the 1996 Olympic Games this past summer. The University of Georgia was the site of Olympic Soccer, Volleyball, and Rhythmic Gymnastics for the Centennial Olympic Games.
During the two-week period, the Georgia Center sponsored a number of cultural events and performances and served as one of the main "gathering points" on campus, with its hotel and dining facilities in maximum use. Staff and faculty were called on to arrange and rearrange schedules of conferences and programs in order to accommodate requests and provide services for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Richard A. Granum, public service associate, Department for Program and Conference Development, 1975-76, 1990-96; Robert W. Sheats, utility worker II, Department of General Services, 1962-1996; Joanne C. Spooner, senior secretary, Department for Program and Conference Development, 1992-1996; and Barbara R. Willis, administrative secretary, Off-Campus Credit, 1977-1996.
35 Years: Eugene Sims, building supervisor, Department of Lodging Services.
30 Years: Thelma J. Robinson, cook II, Department of Food Services.
25 Years: Laura G. Moore, custodian I, Department of Lodging Services.
20 Years: Teresa L. Palmer, program specialist, Governmental Training; Charles C. Gammill, public service associate, Department for Program and Conference Development; Carol C. Huff, administrative secretary, Department for Program and Conference Development; Jean M. Nash-Pullian, senior secretary, Department for Program and Conference Development.
Web administrator: webmaster@gactr.uga.edu All contents copyright © 1997 University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. All rights reserved. Last revised: Tue, Mar 18, 1997, 1:20 PM URL: http://www.gactr.uga.edu/GCQ/GCQwin97/awards.html