ATHENS, Ohio -- Six Ohio University employees were given 2001 Outstanding Classified Employee Awards during a Feb. 18 ceremony at Baker University Center. University President Robert Glidden presented each recipient with a $500 check and a framed certificate.
The honorees include: Pat Gibson, an administrative coordinator in Dining Services; Barbara Grueser, administrative assistant in the Department of English; Brenda Llewellyn, administrative associate in Comparative Arts; Rollie Merriman, chemical storekeeper for the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Greg Weinfurtner, PC support specialist in the Department of Modern Languages; and Brian Welch, Facilities Management zone maintenance specialist for Scott Quadrangle, Morton Hall and the Botanical Research Greenhouse.
University Human Resources sponsors the 16-year-old awards program, which was created to recognize distinguished service among classified employees. Eligible employees may be nominated by students, faculty or staff and must be full- or part-time permanent civil service or bargaining unit employees with a minimum of five consecutive years of service.
Gibson, an employee in the Office of Dining Services for 27 years, is described as the backbone of the operation. She has been instrumental in facilitating the many changes the office has undergone recently. She chairs the Uniform Committee, the Floater program and is considered Dining Services' "unofficial historian." Her co-workers labeled her as someone with a passionate desire to see Dining Services succeed.
Grueser is known for her cheerful personality, patience and calm demeanor. She created a system for tracking applicants for graduate student admission and maintains personal contact with them to keep them informed of their status. One of her duties is preparing and mailing dossiers and confidential letters of reference for the department. After 11 years at the university, she is described as a pleasant, professional and courteous person who has saved English Department faculty and staff numerous hours of work time.
Llewellyn, has managed the School of Comparative Arts' affairs through three school directors during the last four years. She regularly handles the affairs of the school's students, faculty, directors and deans, while also meeting budgetary deadlines, locating space for teacher assistants and preparing faculty contracts. Last May, she was one of only two Ohio University employees who qualified as a certified administrative professional by passing four national examinations. Llewellyn is described by co-workers as a person who is "utterly dependable," with unwavering integrity. Her mother, Carolyn Sinclair, was a 2000 recipient of the Outstanding Classified Employee Award.
Merriman has earned the nickname, "Mr. Merriment," because he is never in a bad mood. A master at finding the best price, he coordinates all supplies purchases for the Chemistry and Biochemistry departments. He has an in-depth knowledge of licensing issues and perishable biochemical materials. Merriman currently owns the school record for purchasing card transactions with 1.7 percent of all university card transactions and 1.9 percent of the total dollar volume. He is described as someone who always goes the extra mile.
A 16-year employee of Ohio University, Weinfurtner has evolved alongside his job duties. After beginning his career as an audio lab technician in the Ellis Hall Language Lab, he is now called "the Computer Dude," by co-workers. He designed a circuit that automatically sets up and configures the consoles for the audio lab and regularly designs and manufacturers gadgets that increase technological efficiency. Described as a dependable and creative person who goes beyond his job duties, he can often be found on Saturdays performing trouble shooting services and routine maintenance.
Welch, who has 11 years of service at Ohio University, is known as a gifted communicator who can please the most demanding clients. Many times, his excellent repair work has saved university departments the expense of purchasing new equipment or frequenting costly repair shops. Dedicated to his job, he once voluntarily refinished and repainted the furniture in the Department of Mathematics' office, which now regularly impresses the office's visitors.
"As a committee we were faced with terribly difficult choices, because all of the nominees were exceptional," said Connie Pollard, chair of the award's selection committee. "We decided to look for employees who set themselves apart by going the extra mile and this group did that."
