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Press Release - USM Board of Regents Honors Six Staff Members

October 10, 2001

USM Board of Regents Honors Six Staff Members 

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents presented its 2001 Staff Awards to six USM institution staff members at its October 5 meeting at the University of Baltimore.

"These awards recognize staff members who have made exceptional contributions to their organizations, to students, and to the university community," said Nathan A. Chapman, chairman of the Board. "I would like to thank all of our awardees for the outstanding efforts they are making for our institutions and our communities, and to thank the thousands of USM staff in Maryland and around the world who are the bedrock of our success."

Award winners are selected based on nominations and letters of support from colleagues, culminating in a formal recommendation from the Council of University System Staff. The Regents' Staff Awards, now in its second year, represent the highest honor bestowed by the Board for achievements of the exempt and non-exempt employees of the USM institutions. Each award carries a $1,000 prize, provided by the institutions and the University of Maryland Foundation.

The award-winning staff members are:

Shirleen Berry, police officer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Berry is an advocate for victims' rights and was the first Certified Victim Assistance Specialist in the State of Maryland. She received the Public Service Award in the non-exempt category.

Lettie Bratcher, administrative assistant at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Her colleagues say that she lends a helping hand and heart to UMBC's "needful students, including students with disabilities and low-income, first-generation college students planning for graduate study upon their completing their degrees at UMBC." Bratcher received the Service to Students Award in the non-exempt category.

Norma L. Green, program coordinator at UMBC. Her record of volunteerism includes Habitat for Humanity, Gardens of Hope, the Vijay Jose Memorial Scholarship Pool Tournament, the Pennsylvania Avenue Redevelopment Collaborative, and the Hurricane's Little League Football team, among others. She received the Public Service Award in the exempt category.

David Langford, associate athletic director for Academic Services at UMBC. He has developed a variety of programs to assist student athletes with their academic work, and, on his own time, has provided mentoring, tutoring and financial aid advice to students. He received the Service to Students Award in the exempt category.

George Vitak, director of telecommunications at UMBC. His colleagues describe him as "a walking, talking, real-time institutional mission statement." He received the Institutional Mission Award in the exempt category.

Karen Wensch, executive administrative assistant III at UMBC. Her colleagues describe her as "a gracious and helpful professional who goes out of her way to see the job through." Wensch received the Institutional Mission Award in the non-exempt category.


Contact:
Chris Hart
Phone: 301/445-2739
E-mail: chart@usmd.edu


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