Eight Employees Honored with Distinguished Staff Awards

Eight employees have received 1999 Distinguished Staff Awards in recognition of their exemplary service to Ferris State University and the community.

Those honored were Helen Bacon, administrative assistant to the director of Criminal Justice; Meg Hackett Carrier, assistant general counsel; Frank Hartley, biology lab technologist; Elaine Kamptner, executive secretary to the president; Anita Kunnen, Automotive Center account clerk II; Shirley Ream, Health Center supervisor of nursing; Marilyn Stolberg, Allied Dental programs Clinical Education director; and Margaret Wozniak, administrative secretary to the dean of University College.

The eight were chosen for the award by President William A. Sederburg based upon nominations from peers and recommendations of the Distinguished Staff Award Committee.

The award, patterned after FSU’s Distinguished Teacher Award, recognizes those employees not directly involved in teaching. Criteria for selection are a positive attitude and enthusiasm for Ferris, excellence in performance of duties, interest in students or demonstrated cooperation with other staff, and participation as a member of the University community and public service to others.

Bacon has served Ferris students, faculty, staff and administrators for the past 20 years, beginning her career as a project secretary for the Michigan Vocational Industrial Clubs of America grant in the College of Education. In addition to her administrative assistant duties, she provides administrative support for the Teacher Education, Child Development and Military Sciences areas.

Bacon also spends time helping students with their teacher certification and law enforcement certification requirements. She is involved in numerous Ferris committees and projects and Big Rapids community activities, such as the Mecosta County Medical Center Ice Cream Social. She received the Outstanding Service Award from Michigan VICA in 1993, the Dean’s Recognition Award from the College of Education in 1993, and the outstanding Student in Training in Business and Industry Award in 1998.

Hackett Carrier joined the University’s Office of the General Counsel in September 1995. As the assistant general counsel, she advises and represents the University in legal proceedings and on a wide variety of legal matters.

As a member of several professional associations, she is actively involved in a variety of civic and charitable organizations. She is president of Ferris Professional Women, sits on the board of directors for the Ryerson Library Foundation and the Notre Dame Club of Grand Rapids, and is vice president of the board of directors for the Stepping Stones Montessori School.

Hartley, who has been employed with the University for 22 years, is responsible for the maintenance of living microbial cultures used in a variety of laboratory classes. He has also worked as a part-time faculty member and often serves as a mentor for special projects associated with biology classes. In his dedication to the University, Hartley has gone far beyond his regular hours to routinely work weeknights and weekends.

In the community, he is actively involved in the theater group STAGE-M and at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

Kamptner began her employment with the University in 1985 as a part-time employee in the Copy Center. After five and one-half years, she began her full-time employment with the College of Business in the Clerical/Technical Association position of secretary to the Management Department. A year later, she became the assistant secretary to the Office of the President and was also acting secretary to the president for a time. In 1994 with the appointment of William Sederburg to the presidency, Kamptner was assigned to her current position.

Kunnen began her career at Ferris in 1979. In her current position as Account Clerk II, she supports 20 faculty, two staff members and over 300 students in Automotive Service, Auto Body, and Automotive and Heavy Equipment Management.

Kunnen has served as a volunteer fire fighter for the Rogers Heights Mecosta Township Fire Department. As noted by her colleagues, she is an expert at “keeping many balls in the air at one time and does it with a flare and passion,” going beyond normal duties in her commitment to students, faculty, staff and guests.

Ream has worked at Ferris for over 31 years at the Birkam Health Center, supervising and assisting nursing personnel, assisting with medical procedures, and giving immunizations and allergy shots. She also directs the Flu Clinic each year for students, spouses, faculty and staff. Ream is a charter member of the “WE CARE” program and participates in First Impressions, FSU Parent Orientation, the Bulldog Bonanza and Hallopalooza.

She is active in her church as director of Children’s Ministries, as a Sunday School teacher and as secretary of the Board of Christian Education.

Stolberg started at Ferris in 1982 after graduating from dental school. She has served as director of Clinical Education for the Allied Dental programs, as acting program director for the Dental Assisting program, and as the Dental Hygiene program director.

Recently, Stolberg assisted a dental hygiene student to complete her degree after the student was confined to a wheelchair as a result of an automobile accident. Stolberg not only helped the student overcome pressures and prejudices in working with patients, but she went the extra step in finding two practicing dentists with similar injuries to be role models. Stolberg also convinced a manufacturer to redesign dental equipment for the student that was hand operated.

Stolberg is involved with various dental associations and community service organizations, such as the United Way, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Project Starburst.

Wozniak has been with the University for 15 years. She was the departmental secretary in the Biological Sciences for 13 years before becoming the administrative secretary to the dean of University College in 1996. In her current position, Wozniak is responsible for many duties, including supporting all University College search committees and the hiring and training of a secretarial staff of eight.

She is involved in many important Ferris committees and projects such as the Hiring Process Review Committee, the Quality 2000 Process Improvement Team, Ferris Professional Women, and First Impressions.

Her community activities center around St. Ann’s Church in Baldwin and the Mecosta County Relay for Life.

Honorees will each receive a one-time bonus of $500, individual plaques, and recognition at a Board of Trustees dinner and meeting. The recipients will have their names engraved on a plaque permanently displayed on campus.