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K-State Today

April 28, 2022

College of Veterinary Medicine presents fourth annual staff awards

Submitted by Joe Montgomery

After enduring two years of lockdowns, closures, advanced cleaning and sanitization throughout the pandemic, the College of Veterinary Medicine Staff Council took time to celebrate and recognize hard-working staff members.

The council, which represents all unclassified and university support staff within the college, hosted a luncheon on April 13 to acknowledge staff members for their contributions to the college’s mission.

“The staff awards are just a small token to recognize the hard work, dedication and amazing talent of our College of Veterinary Medicine staff,” said Christine Hackworth, nurse outreach program coordinator and Staff Council chair. “We have more nominees than we have awards, so we work with an outside panel who makes the difficult decision of the award winners. Every employee brings a unique technique, perspective and level of knowledge to the college, and while we would like to recognize everyone, unfortunately, we are limited to the number of awards we can present.”

The three award categories: High Five Award; Culture, Collegiality and Compassion Award; and Commitment to Excellence Award. Nominations can be submitted by any faculty, staff or administrators in the college, but must be accompanied by at least two letters of support.

“Our entire staff and staff council have gone above and beyond in the last few years,” said Bonnie Rush, Hodes family dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Through all the challenges, we have a team who finds a way to ensure this college fulfills its primary mission to educate students in veterinary medicine. We enjoy this opportunity to recognize these individuals who have been nominated by their peers and strive to make us better every day.”

The awards for 2022:

High Five Award — Presented to an employee who has gone above and beyond in enhancing one or more components of the College of Veterinary Medicine's mission of exceptional teaching, impactful research, outstanding service and extraordinary graduates.

This year's recipients are Barta Stevenson, program assistant for the Master of Public Health Program; Joe Montgomery, communications manager; Brandy Nowakowski, administrative assistant in diagnostic medicine/pathobiology; and Joel Sanneman, research associate in anatomy and physiology.

Culture, Collegiality and Compassion Award — Presented to an employee who enhances a feeling of belonging for all of the College of Veterinary Medicine and creates a more inclusive environment while enhancing the college's mission of exceptional teaching, impactful research, outstanding service and extraordinary graduates.

This year’s recipient is Kara Smith, laboratory manager in clinical sciences.

Commitment to Excellence Award — Presented to employees who have gone beyond in enhancing one or more components of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s mission of exceptional teaching, impactful research, outstanding service and extraordinary graduates.

This year’s recipients are Mark Koller, research compliance specialist in the veterinary diagnostic laboratory; Leigh Ann George, postdoctoral fellow in diagnostic medicine/pathobiology; and Barb Turner, graduate program assistant.