Tulane University Excellence Awards Program

Tulane University Excellence Awards Program - 2001

	Christopher Daigle, Director for the Office of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Life 9 years of service Humanitarian - Chris began reaching out to students by having literature dealing with coming out, safe sex, resource directories and self-esteem and awareness available for interested students. Before long, students were requesting visits with him, seeking help concerning gay issues on campus. Chris helped students identify and resolve their personal challenges. In doing so, he also helped to educate other employees around him, fostering greater sensitivity to the sometimes unique challenges many gay students face.
	Miriam Espinosa, Library Administrator 14 years of service Increased Productivity - Miriam has implemented an innovative accounting procedure which has saved the library time and money, and has reduced errors and duplications in ordering and paying for library materials. In addition, she ensures that library department heads are accountable for planning and managing their budgets. She has a critical eye and is not content to simply improve current operations and procedures. She is a challenger. Miriam is recognized for her overall extraordinary value to the library's mission, for her innovative and critical approach to her job, which has yielded tangible savings and productivity, and for her courage to persevere to do the right thing by her own high ethical standards and for the eventual benefit of the University.
	Jolene Galmon, Library Conservator 13 years of service Cost Savings - Jolene has been instrumental in helping save the library a significant amount of money. One could not imagine the amount of money, not to mention the priceless resources which have been salvaged through her conservation efforts. After more than a year, we are still in awe of the materials which come through our department: rare books, 18th century books and earlier, not to mention the countless new materials which one day will be classics themselves.
	Charles Garrett, Senior Veterinary Specialist 14 years of service Humanitarian - Mr. Garrett's most obvious value is shown by his commitment to our experiments. What sets him apart from a merely satisfactory employee is his attitude, both toward the animals and in regard to our experiments. Mr. Garret handles changes with equanimity and accommodates our requests even when it means sacrificing his time. I've observed that he has an ease with the animals, and his gentle handling ensures that the animals are under less stress than they would be in the hands of a less capable or caring person.
	Valerie Harel, Information System Specialist 5 years of service Enhanced Objectives- Valerie excels as webmaster for the slide room and as computer point person for the art department faculty and staff. She created and maintains the art department website which has enabled the faculty to create individualized websites of images for use with courses. Now students can review course materials seen in class on an individual basis and at their own convenience. Humanitarian- Her overall performance has regularly and consistently exceeded expectations and has reflected a high level of trustworthiness and respect. She radiates cheerful efficiency, quiet assurance, and blessed dependability. She has a wonderful effect on everyone, calming frayed nerves and maintaining rationality when others lose it.
	Vincent Illustre, Service Learning Assistant Director 3 years of service Increased Productivity - During the time Vincent has worked with service learning, the program has grown tremendously. It began with a few courses in Psychology during 1977, but really began to take off when Vincent became the only full-time staff member in 1998. Because of his excellent work, the program began to gain acceptance by faculty and students and has grown to include 51 courses with a service learning component. Vincent has been the driving force behind the growth of the program.
	Tami Jenniskins, Research Administrator 4 years of service Increased Productivity - As a result of Tami's knowledge, tireless efforts and friendly personality, she makes grant and contract problems much more manageable and significantly reduces the amount of time needed to resolve them. Humanitarian - The day-to-day responsibilities of Tami's position are very time-consuming, yet she readily volunteers to go the "extra mile." She is the "rock of Gibraltar" within the Office of Research Administration.
	Diane Koga, Department Administrator 13 years of service Enhanced Objectives - Ms. Koga excels in her ability to calmly handle multiple tasks well and her example inspires other employees, whom she supervises, to the same standard of excellence. This attests to her competent efficiency, compassion and professionalism.
	Herb Lassalle, Courier 11 years of service Humanitarian - Herb performs his assigned duties and responsibilities conscientiously and cheerfully, but also goes far beyond what is just expected of him as described in any formal job description. No other employee can match Herb's excellent customer service. He has earned the respect and admiration of all of his coworkers.
	Earl Retif, Registrar 25 years of service Enhanced Objectives - Earl was recognized for the outstanding work he has done to enhance the University's academic traditions and ceremonies. He was recommended for this award in honor of his vision and commitment to the Unified Commencement at Tulane University.