Employees honored for student-centered efforts

December 17, 2009 | News, UToday
By Jeffrey Romagni



Since 2006, The University of Toledo Students First Committee has recognized faculty and staff members who go above and beyond their job requirements every day to help students and ensure their success.

Dr. Brian Randolph, left, posed for a photo with President Lloyd Jacobs and Michele Martinez, interim dean of students, after winning the 2008-09 Students First Award.

Dr. Brian Randolph, left, posed for a photo with President Lloyd Jacobs and Michele Martinez, interim dean of students, after winning the 2008-09 Students First Award.

Twenty nominees and recipients of the 2008-09 Students First Award gathered recently in the Faculty Club Lounge on Health Science Campus. President Lloyd Jacobs was present to congratulate each individual on his or her outstanding dedication to UT students.

“It is important to act as a recipient for cultural change and an exemplar of what our university stands for,” Jacobs said. “I know that you share something with me — a deep commitment to help equip people for a full, complete and prosperous life.”

Jacobs went on to explain the importance of student-centeredness at UT.

“The single most important thing is to care for other people and to make it clear in all sorts of ways — how one speaks, how one acts, and how one carries oneself,” Jacobs said. “It’s many traits and actions, but ultimately its one commitment, and that is to recognize that students are at the center of what a great university does.”

In addition to the monthly recipients, each individual nominated for the award was invited to attend the event. Individuals recognized during the event included Drs. Carol Bennett-Clarke, Mary Ellen Edwards, Alexia Metz, Richard Phinney, Susan Pocotte, Brian Randolph, Gwendolyn Walters and David Weldy, as well as Katherine Abu-Absi, Brittani Curtis, Melanie Dusseau, Jill Gierke, Charlene Hansen, Karen Hoblet, Lula Johnson-Ham, Jing Meyer, Diane Pfaff, Cecilia Rivera, Cheryl Thomas and Ashleigh Wade.

All award nominees and recipients received a certificate, specially designed pin, and photo with Jacobs. In addition, all award recipients received two gift certificates — one worth $75 for the UT Bookstore and the other worth $25 for Starbucks.

Randolph, associate dean in the College of Engineering, was chosen as the 2008-09 individual Students First Award winner and received a $1,000 check for his outstanding commitment to students.

For more information on the Students First Award or to nominate an individual, visit http://www.utoledo.edu/commissions/studentcenterdness/nominees06.html.

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