Ninth Annual Awards and Recognition Program

For the ninth year, the Georgia Center for Continuing Education recognized outstanding employee service through its Annual Awards and Recognition Program, with a presentation ceremony held December 18, 1997. The program includes the "Award for Excellence," the "Outstanding Service Awards," occasional special awards (such as the "Teamwork Award" this year), and recognition of years of service "milestones" (5, 10, 15 years, etc.) and retirees.

All 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." The names of those honored are displayed permanently at the Georgia Center.

Award for Excellence

Margaret H. Caufield, conference coordinator, Department for Program and Conference Development

The 1998 "Award for Excellence" recipient wasn't present at the Awards and Recognition Program ceremony to hear her name called, to hear the applause of her Georgia Center colleagues, to be surprised.

She was multitasking, as usual, in effect earning the award to the last second. "I had a conference in the building. I was running around trying to get things done, checking on dinner for the group. I was heading toward the auditorium, and someone said 'You've got to get to Masters Hall right away,' " Caufield said.

Not being there for the initial announcement did not lessen the effect. "I think I'm still in shock about the award. It's even more meaningful since I was nominated by people who work at the Georgia Center. There are so many who work here who do an excellent job. Being chosen from all of the employees makes it incredibly special," Caufield said.

On the Georgia Center staff since 1991, Caufield serves as a conference coordinator. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism (in public relations) and a master's degree in adult education, both from The University of Georgia. "As a coordinator, I am responsible for all details relating to a conference or event. I enjoy helping a program develop from the very beginning and then seeing it through to the end. It is a very rewarding experience," she said.

"I've coordinated conferences for 10 people and for more than 1,200 people. Each one is different. I like that kind of variety. I enjoy working at the Georgia Center; it is the staff that makes it such a pleasure," she said.

"All the units throughout the Center work together as a team to ensure that the conferees have a quality experience while they are with us," Caufield said. "How could I do my job without the help of everyone?"

The "Award for Excellence" is presented annually for "sustained, exemplary, and meritorious performance in support of the mission of the Georgia Center."

Outstanding Service Awards

Gayle K. Burnham, administrative secretary, Department of Community Learning Resources

Bradley B. Cahoon, public service assistant, Department of Community Learning Resources

Trudy P. Cain, public service assistant, Department for Program and Conference Development

Carmen E. Shuler, public service representative, University System of Georgia Independent Study

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."

The "FOREsight" Overview Committee. Back row - l. to r., Travis D. Kitchens; F. Mitchell Skelton; Edward G. Simpson, Jr., UGA associate vice president for public service and outreach and Georgia Center director; Richard C. Field; R. Wayne Nobles; and Jeff G. Chandler. Middle row - l. to r., Marjorie R. Gibbs; Josephine F. Reynolds; John D. Fluevog; Amy H. Skelton; Linda S. Gilbert; and Margaret H. Caufield. Front row - l. to r., Joyce A. Fleeman; Cheryl B. Prichard; Sandra J. Dinnan; and Cathy R. Gleaton. Not pictured: Helen H. Mills.

Teamwork Award

"FOREsight" Overview Committee

The "FOREsight" Overview Committee was formed in 1993 to help guide the administration and continuing improvement of "FOREsight," the Georgia Center's management information system developed in-house. Members of the "FOREsight" Overview Committee: from Administrative Services - Sandra J. Dinnan, accountant III; R. Wayne Nobles, accountant III; from Computer Services - Jeff G. Chandler, senior programmer; John D. Fluevog, assistant department manager; Marjorie R. Gibbs, computer services specialist II; Travis D. Kitchens, senior programmer; Cheryl B. Prichard, department manager; from the Division of Communication Services - Cathy R. Gleaton, senior administrative secretary; from the Department of Community Learning Resources - Helen H. Mills, senior public service associate; from the Department of Conference and Event Services - F. Mitchell Skelton, administrative specialist; from the Department for Program and Conference Development - Margaret H. Caufield, conference coordinator; Richard C. Field, department head; Joyce A. Fleeman, conference coordinator; Josephine F. Reynolds, office manager; Amy H. Skelton, administrative specialist; and from the Office of Staff Development - Linda S. Gilbert, human service training specialist II.

The "Teamwork Award" recognizes "the importance of significant contributions to its mission through people working together." It is given occasionally "to that group of individuals providing exemplary leadership and inspiration in pursuit of a common goal."

1997 Retirees, Years of Services, and Last Position Held

Roger E. Comley, 1986-1997, associate director, Division of Hotel and Operating Services; S. Jeannie Epps, 1980-1997, assistant facilities manager, Department of Lodging Services; Bonnie H. Lawson, 1980-1997, public service associate, Department for Program and Conference Development; Lamar Thomas, 1958-1997, custodian II, Department of Lodging Services.

Years of Service Recognition

30 Years - Rosa L. Slaughter, food service worker I, Department of Food Services.

25 Years - Roger Griffith, food service worker I, Department of Food Services; Helen H. Mills, department head, senior public service associate, Department of Community Learning Resources; E. Wendell White, maintenance foreman, Department of General Services.

20 Years - Trudy P. Cain, public service assistant, Department for Program and Conference Development; Allen C. Henderson, public service representative, Department for Program and Conference Development; Jane S. Mathews, keypunch/data entry supervisor, Department for Program and Conference Development; Catherine W. Shollenberger, conference coordinator, Department of Conference and Event Services.