Winners of the Virginia Public Service Week drawings of $100 Macy’s gift cards:
Tuesday’s winner: Michael Jackson
Wednesday’s winner: Erin Metcalf
Thursday’s winner: Cris Dargan
Friday’s winner: Summer Phillips
2015 UMW Award Winners
Charles Coleman Memorial Service Award
Charles Coleman was an employee of 29 years who demonstrated pride, dedication, and loyalty throughout his many years of service. This award was established in honor of his dedication and exemplary service.
The 2015 Coleman Award Winner is Cathy Byram, Office Manager
Cathy helps keeps the Department of English, Linguistics, & Communication running smoothly. This year, especially, Cathy took on extra and unusual projects to help the department until a new full-time Office Manager could be hired. She served on the hiring committee, reading applications and participating in the interviews with candidates. During the period when the Department of English, Linguistics, and Communication did not have an Office Manager, Cathy was a driving force in getting the office cleaned, reorganized, and in a welcoming condition for the new hire. All in ELC are indebted to Cathy for her excellent attention to details and being willing to help solve problems as they emerge. Cathy’s Champion is Mary Rigsby.
Coleman Nominees
Timmy Wallace, HVAC Supervisor
Champion is Dan Quann
Timmy has shown great dedication and loyalty to the university, over the years by hard work and growing within his job and within his department. Timmy has always had the can do attitude, he steps up and takes on anything asked of him.
Kathy Sandor, Bookstore Manager
Champion is Erma Baker
Kathy is proud to tout the store as UMW brand central for campus, and represent the retail arm of our UMW family business. Kathy truly leads her team by example and always with the best interest of UMW in mind.
Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation
The intent of this award is to honor Mr. and Mrs. Hurley, who have consistently demonstrated a desire to recognize and reward outstanding service of University employees, and who have led by example in their work at Mary Washington.
The 2015 Hurley Award Winner is Martha Burtis, Alum and Director of the Digital Knowledge Center
Martha has gone above and beyond in helping improve course materials. She took on a survey project that took over two years to complete. Throughout, she was proactive and incredibly inventive. For instance, she developed a new WordPress Plugin. The project is so successful that it has now garnered national attention. As the Director of the new DKC, Martha has also been a huge help to UMW students. Students rave about their experiences with DKC tutors. More importantly, their work is substantially improved. In short, Martha’s work is a huge boon to faculty and students alike.
Martha has created DTLT’s new Digital Knowledge Center, which has been absolutely essential to the learning experiences of students. Students are increasingly using digital technologies and new media, which require resources and a support system outside the classroom. Martha is helping our students become digitally savvy; giving them the tools and resources they need for the future, whether graduate school or the job market.
Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation Nominees
Sallie Braxton
Assistant Dean for Advising
She loves this university and will do whatever she can to help students, faculty and staff to achieve our mission. We are blessed to have her in the College of Business AND at the University of Mary Washington.
Bethany Friesner
Associate Director of Residence Life for Staffing and Residential Education
Bethany is incredibly dedicated to helping students engage in learning experiences while living in University housing. In the last couple of years she has created and developed the Living Learning Community program which led to a University-wide initiative connecting living on campus with active learning and faculty relationships
Zafeer Mobashar
Audio Visual Tech
Zafeer is steadfast in all his tasks; whether videotaping a message from one of UMW’s donors or setting up sound and lights for an event. Zafeer always stay one step ahead of the weekly events.
Allyson Moerman
Associate Vice President for Finance and Controller
She is ALWAYS willing to take the time to explain a concept to her own employees, someone else’s employees, students, faculty, staff, etc., and she does it with incredible patience. She listens to concerns from all areas and tries to make quick but sound decisions for UMW.
Joni Wilson
Director Landscape and Grounds
Joni goes above and beyond to not only create a beautiful, healthy campus environment, but to initiate, innovate, and continue efforts to improve the environment, make UMW more sustainable, and connect her department to faculty and students.
John Wiltenmuth
Associate V.P. for Facilities Services
If it is 3:00 AM and there is an emergency on campus, you will always find John onsite, working alongside his staff bailing water, mopping floors, overseeing an excavation or running a snow blower, relieving staff and sending them home or inside to rest while staying on the job himself.
