Press Release - USM Board of Regents Honors Six Staff Members
October 10, 2001
USM Board of Regents Honors Six Staff Members
The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents presented its 2001
Staff Awards to six USM institution staff members at its October 5 meeting at
the University of Baltimore.
"These awards recognize staff members who have made exceptional
contributions to their organizations, to students, and to the university
community," said Nathan A. Chapman, chairman of the Board. "I would
like to thank all of our awardees for the outstanding efforts they are making
for our institutions and our communities, and to thank the thousands of USM
staff in Maryland and around the world who are the bedrock of our success."
Award winners are selected based on nominations and letters of support from
colleagues, culminating in a formal recommendation from the Council of
University System Staff. The Regents' Staff Awards, now in its second year,
represent the highest honor bestowed by the Board for achievements of the exempt
and non-exempt employees of the USM institutions. Each award carries a $1,000
prize, provided by the institutions and the University of Maryland Foundation.
The award-winning staff members are:
Shirleen Berry, police officer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Berry
is an advocate for victims' rights and was the first Certified Victim Assistance
Specialist in the State of Maryland. She received the Public Service Award in
the non-exempt category.
Lettie Bratcher, administrative assistant at the University of Maryland,
Baltimore County (UMBC). Her colleagues say that she lends a helping hand and
heart to UMBC's "needful students, including students with disabilities and
low-income, first-generation college students planning for graduate study upon
their completing their degrees at UMBC." Bratcher received the Service to
Students Award in the non-exempt category.
Norma L. Green, program coordinator at UMBC. Her record of volunteerism includes
Habitat for Humanity, Gardens of Hope, the Vijay Jose Memorial Scholarship Pool
Tournament, the Pennsylvania Avenue Redevelopment Collaborative, and the
Hurricane's Little League Football team, among others. She received the Public
Service Award in the exempt category.
David Langford, associate athletic director for Academic Services at UMBC. He
has developed a variety of programs to assist student athletes with their
academic work, and, on his own time, has provided mentoring, tutoring and
financial aid advice to students. He received the Service to Students Award in
the exempt category.
George Vitak, director of telecommunications at UMBC. His colleagues describe
him as "a walking, talking, real-time institutional mission
statement." He received the Institutional Mission Award in the exempt
category.
Karen Wensch, executive administrative assistant III at UMBC. Her colleagues
describe her as "a gracious and helpful professional who goes out of her
way to see the job through." Wensch received the Institutional Mission
Award in the non-exempt category.
Contact:
Chris Hart
Phone: 301/445-2739
E-mail: chart@usmd.edu
