April 27, 2006

Norman – In a recent celebration at the University of Oklahoma, many outstanding staff were recognized and honored for their years of service to the university. The recognition took place at the university’s 43rd annual Staff Senate Awards Ceremony held Wednesday, April 26, in the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom, Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Among the many individuals being honored at the event, three College of Arts and Sciences staff members received special awards, six college staff members announced their retirements and 20 college staff were recognized for their many years of service to the university.

Suzanne Harrell, manager of administration and operations for the College of Arts and Sciences, is the 2006 recipient of the Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award. As winner of the award, Harrell receives a certificate and monetary prize of $1,500.

“I was tremendously honored to receive the award and to hear the compliments from my boss and colleagues,” Harrell said. “It was a very special day in my university career.”

Two college staff members received the 2006 Informational Staff Association Distinguished Performance Award given by the Staff Senate. These individuals are Gary Bates, manager of the college computer network, and Grettie Bondy, academic counselor in the Department of English. Each of these two recipients received a certificate and monetary prize of $500.

“I’m touched to have been recognized with this award,” Bates said. “But I feel I don’t work any harder than the other members of my team in supporting the college. It is a team effort.”

College of Arts and Sciences staff retiring from the university this year also were recognized at the ceremony and received a plaque engraved with their years of service and the seed sewer figure. College staff retiring from the university in 2006 include, Bobby J. Collings, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 10 years; June A. Cossey, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 21 years; Arlene C. Crawford, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 13 years; Robert D. Littell, Department of Physics and Astronomy, 26 years; Susan E. Nostrand, Department of Philosophy, 33 years; and Geri Rowden, Department of Political Science, 41 years.

Many college staff members also were recognized for their years of service to the university. Paula J. Montague, Department of Zoology, was recognized for 35 years of service, while James D. White, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was recognized for 30 years of service.

Individuals recognized for 25 years of service to the university include, Janie Allen, School of Library and Information Studies; Frederick M. Dittmar, Department of Zoology; Anne B. Jones, Department of Mathematics; Stephen M. Kenton, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Gail L. Newland, Department of Botany and Microbiology.

College staff recognized for 20 years of service include, Diane K. Freeman, School of Social Work; Tami R. Kinsey, Department of Economics; and Neil Q. Wofford, Department of Botany and Microbiology, 20 years.

Staff recognized for 15 years of service include, Anthony H. Barrens, College of Arts and Sciences; Mary Ann Callaghan, African and African-American Studies; and Arlene C. Crawford, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Finally, staff recognized for 10 years of service include, Donna R. Cobb, Biological Station; Hongshin C. Lai, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Betty J. Leverich, Department of Human Relations; Shaoping Lin, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Michele E. Nabonne, College of Arts and Sciences; Sharron K. Oelke, College of Arts and Sciences; and Cynthia L. Russell, Department of Botany and Microbiology.