Ten to be feted as top staffers for spring 2017

Contact: Jeanne Baron

WMU Make a Difference Award logo.KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Ten Western Michigan University staff members will be honored as outstanding employees during a reception at 2 p.m. Monday, April 17, in 157 Bernhard Center.

The University community is invited to attend the event, which recognizes the spring 2017 recipients of the Semiannual Make a Difference Award. The recipients will each receive $300, before taxes, and a commemorative certificate.

Spring 2017 award recipients

Barbara S. Adams, administrative assistant I, School of Music

Kelli A. Bond, executive assistant senior, Office of the Vice President for Research

Regina E. Buckner, business manager, University Libraries

Eric N. Epplett, marketing specialist, College of Aviation

Tom Grossman, chief flight instructor and director of flight operations, College of Aviation

Michelle E. Hruska, executive assistant senior, Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Deborah A. O'Keefe, budget analyst, School of Music

Carol Reid, academic advisor, College of Education and Human Development

Colleen A. Sante, administrative assistant II, Department of Spanish

Laura C. Weber, risk analyst, Business Services

Make A Difference program

The Make a Difference Award Program is a campuswide peer-to-peer initiative that recognizes University staff members for their outstanding accomplishments and daily investment of energy and creativity.

Up to 15 staff members may receive the award in each of two semiannual award periods every academic year. These fall and spring semiannual award winners constitute the pool from which four Annual Make a Difference Award recipients—the best of the best—are chosen. The annual award comes with a before-tax prize of $1,200.

All award winners are selected by a committee of their peers from the employee groups that participate in the award program. The groups are the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Michigan State Employees Association; Police Officers Association; and WMU Staff Compensation System, members of which are represented by the nonbargaining Administrative Professional Association and Professional Support Staff Organization.

For more information or for a year-round nomination form, visit wmich.edu/makeadifference.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.