Highlights from UM-Flint Staff Council's spring meeting and awards breakfast

The Staff Council at the University of Michigan-Flint held its 25th annual spring meeting and awards breakfast on May 16.

Staff members who attended the event enjoyed a complimentary padfolio gift, breakfast from Fandangles, and expressions of gratitude for their service to campus from administrators, faculty, and fellow staff members.

The program highlighted the accomplishments of the Staff Council over the past year, including its initiative to personally welcome new campus hires on their first day, hosting the inaugural Staff Tailgate Party, and the election of three council members to UM-Flint's 2018-19 budget committee.

Newly elected Staff Council members for 2018-19 were announced. They are:

Gary Ashley, University Outreach
Sarah Bennett, Financial Services & Budget
Matt Bohlen, Graduate Programs
Kathrine Colpaert, International Center
Jill Hubbard, Office of the Chancellor
Christopher Jones, Admissions and Recruitment
Bob Mabbitt, University Communications & Marketing
Julie Westenfeld, Admissions and Recruitment

Council members completing the second and final year of their term were also recognized. They are:

Helen Budd, Student Veterans Resource Center
Celia Dell, Office of the Registrar
Martha Hanley, Philosophy
Jennifer Phillips, Biology
Denise Taft, Biology
Lori Rathbun, Education (outgoing Staff Council Chair)

University Advancement's Matt Bueby was named new Staff Council chair for 2018-19. Joining Matt in the completion of their two-year term next year are:

Jason Gooding, ITS (vice chair)
Sara Cyrus, Financial Aid
Melissa Richardson, Education
Alex Straley, Housing & Residential Life
Leanne Vamossy, Counseling & Psychological Services

The following recipients of the Sterling Staff Award, presented to staff members who "make a difference" and "go the extra distance in their work," were recognized at the event:

Linda Blakey, College of Arts & Sciences
Matt Bueby, University Advancement
Sandy Campbell, Public Health and Health Sciences
Sara Cyrus, Financial Aid
Jeff Dobbs, Student Success Center
Suzanne Fielder, Facilities & Operations
Susan Gano-Phillips, College of Arts & Sciences
Maggie Golembiewski, Student Success Center
Michelle Graham, Financial Services & Budget
Steven Harrow, AIMS
Amy Hartwig, College of Arts & Sciences
Kristin Johnson, Biology
Darlene Lorence, Printing Services
Brooke Michaels, Student Success Center
Lori Rathbun, Education
Gentry Robinson, AIMS
Brenda Roth, Procurement and Contracts
Patti Ruhala, Public Health and Health Sciences
Suzanne Shivnen, Political Science
Chris Smith, Office of Extended Learning
Alex Straley, Housing & Residential Life
Peggy Sturtz, Financial Services & Budget
Jennifer Swank, Admissions
Tamasha Vorrice, College of Arts & Sciences
Kalena Williams, Public Health and Health Sciences

The Staff Recognition Award was established by Staff Council in 1995 to "recognize those members of the Staff Assembly who consistently serve the campus and University in an exemplary manner." This year's Staff Recognition Award nominees were:

Jami Caulkins, College of Arts & Sciences Deans Office
Carol Chaney, Music
Susie Churchill, Computer Science, Engineering, and Physics
Amy Clolinger, Recreational Services
Lacey Faulkner, History
Darlene Lorence, Printing Services
Anthony Mills, Information Technology Services
Lisa Pagano-Lawrence, Nursing
Monica Panik, University Advancement
Tonja Petrella, Human Resources
Crystal Quaderer, Event And Building Services
Antonio Riggs, School of Management
Louanne Snyder, Financial Aid

Jo Klingler, business administrator in Public Health and Health Sciences, was presented with the 2018 Staff Recognition Award. When he announced Klingler as this year's recipient, incoming Staff Council chair Matt Bueby said she "exhibits the rare ability of being able to balance her role while doing it with fierce compassion, whose door is always open, and who celebrates the highs and carries you through the lows. She has had a profound impact on UM-Flint over the years and has touched so many lives."

Klingler said she plans to retire later this year.

Staff Council vice chair Jason Gooding presented the event's final award—which was a surprise to the audience and recipient alike. Tom Price from Fandangles, who coordinates and conducts catering services at many UM-Flint events, was named 2018's "Outstanding Friend of the Staff."

Staff Council plans to continue recognizing "friends of the staff" with this award at the spring meeting and awards breakfast each year going forward.