Outstanding staff members celebrated

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Five employees recently received the University’s 2016 Outstanding Staff Awards.

Nearly 40 nominees were honored at a ceremony in the Student Union Auditorium.

Winners this year were:

• Tammy Brittian, administrative assistant in the Department of Emergency Medicine. She has worked at the University 22 years.

“Tammy is a natural-born helper and ridiculous multi-tasker; she’s never too busy to stop the millions of projects she’s simultaneously working on to help anyone who asks,” one nominator wrote. “Tammy emulates our mission by continuing to provide everyone she encounters on a daily basis with the utmost respect. On top of that, she serves as each of these constituent’s personal guide, helping him or her navigate the complex University system.” Another noted, “Tammy pushes herself and leads by example. She doesn’t need anyone to tell her what to do or how to get something done; she’s resourceful and doesn’t stop until she accomplishes what she set out to. Tammy is motivated by organization; the more organized, the better functioning her department.”

• Peggy Ery, publications editor of the Law Review in the College of Law. She has worked at the University for 29 years, first in Carlson Library, then transferring to the College of Law as a secretary before taking on Law Review for the past 22 years.

“As a student-run journal, we all must work as a team, and she is a great silent captain,” one nominator wrote. “She brings with her 22 years of experience and shares her knowledge with all who ask. Because of her dedication and hard work, she holds those around her accountable for their work and expects the highest degree of effort.” Another noted, “She motivates and inspires every member of the Law Review to do our best. Our Law Review is ranked 109th out of more than 500 general journals. Our success and continued excellence as a publication can be directly attributed to Peggy’s dedication. Peggy is always willing to drop her administrative and editorial duties — even if it makes her job harder — to answer editing questions and address managerial concerns.”

• Katherine Goans, associate director of the Department of Laboratory Animal Resources. She began her career at MCO in 1975 in Environmental Services, leaving in 1977 to continue her education at UT and start a family. She returned in 1982 to the Medical Records Department. One year later, Goans transferred to her current department as a laboratory animal aide. She has been promoted throughout the years to her current position.

“Dedication, commitment, helpful, pleasant — all of these words describe Kathy. She will be missed when she retires in 2017,” one nominator wrote. “The facilities are well-maintained, and the research animals receive premium care and treatment.” “She began working as an animal care aide before moving into the role of operations manager and in recent years associate director. In each of these roles, she has been an active team member in assisting department staff and UT faculty, staff and students to promote an excellent environment for research involving laboratory animals,” another noted. And another wrote, “She considers no question unworthy of a thoughtful answer and no individual beyond her ability and willingness to train to a successful level of proficiency. Her positive attitude inspires others to believe in themselves.”

• Scott McBride, business services officer in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. He has worked at the University since 1994.

“For research, he manages grant paperwork — $2 to $4 million a year — and is responsible for purchasing, accounting, balancing, and then fixing and adjusting to best meet faculty requests when all does not go as planned,” one nominator wrote. “He demonstrates extraordinary creativity to support faculty wishes while always meeting regulations. He confronts challenges with humor and creativity, always with the highest ethical standards.” Another wrote, “Scott has been running the business component of our department since he arrived. And he does so with a smile on his face every day and without complaining. Quite frankly, in our discipline with a combined annual budget of some $3 million in externally funded research and several dozen graduate assistants on the payroll, we would be lost without his competent help.”

• Marissa Reid, success coach in You College. She has worked at UT since 2013. Reid received a bachelor of arts degree in pyschology from the University in 2011.

“When success coaching started, new coaches were faced with the task of building a program from scratch that would retain students and build confident young adults,” one nominator wrote. “Marissa took the initiative right off the bat to begin organizing experiential learning opportunities for You College students. She spent her own personal time organizing, planning and prepping students to experience volunteerism and service learning through the Boys and Girls Club.” “She knows how to connect with her students and even provide tough love when needed,” another noted. “Marissa also gives back to the community, and it is not uncommon to find her at campus events or representing UT on various community groups where she is passionate about helping students be successful at UT.”