Counseling Department's Mary Cash Receives College of Education's 2004 Staff Award for Excellence

Mary Cash, office manager for the department of counseling and human development services, has received the College of Education’s 2004 Staff Award for Excellence.

Cash was presented a plaque and a $1,200 cash award in ceremonies May 14 at River’s Crossing. First runner-up, DeAnna Palmer, senior secretary in reading education, was awarded $750, and second runner-up, Judy Harper, office manager for the department of communication sciences and disorders, received $300.

The three finalists were selected from a list of 12 nominees that included Shirley Anderson, Brenda Arnold, Donna Bodiford, Marty Davis, Larry Fuller, Carolyn Howell, Valerie Kilpatrick, June Smith and Linda Taylor.

Faculty and staff members describe Cash as among the most efficient, dedicated knowledgeable and productive staff members with whom they’ve ever worked.

“Mary is always the person one turns to for guidance, knowledge and direction,” said one faculty member. “Her knowledge in the areas of budgets, contracts and grants, payroll, curriculum and report preparation and submission is outstanding as well as her ability to locate and access information.”

Cash, who has worked in the counseling department for 15 years, was said to be a “model to be emulated by the university community of a professional staff member committed to making things work.”

First runner-up Palmer, who was worked for the College of Education for five years, is described by faculty and staff as handling clerical aspects of the department of reading education’s Reading Clinic in an exemplary manner.

She is often asked to accomplish tasks that require complicated problem solving and is always ready to go “the extra mile” to keep the clinic running smoothly, one faculty member
said.

Second runner-up Harper, who has worked in the College of Education for 29 years, is lauded for her extensive knowledge about departmental, college and university procedures.

“She is skilled in effectively using or securing resources to help solve our problems,” said one faculty member.
Harper is described as being committed to ensuring that any project is done correctly and efficiently.

“She is always reliable, always finds a way to make things work, and always friendly,” said another faculty member.

In addition to the Staff Awards for Excellence, several staff members were also recognized for years of service to the College. They included: Michael Childs, Jeremy Granade, Holly Kaplan, Pam LaSalle, DeAnna Palmer, Penelope Rabon, Heidi Sartain Linda Taylor and Loretta Wheatley, five years; Nancy Dellaria, Christy Glazer, Kimberly Wood and Art Sturgill, 10 years; Harriet Elder, Janet Goetz, Ann Seagraves and Bill Strickland, 15 years; Margaret Turner, 25 years; Linda Chester, Anita Miller and Elizabeth Platt, 30 years.


Friday, May 14, 2004

WRITER: Michael Childs, 706/542-5889, mchilds@coe.uga.edu
CONTACT: Julie Sartor, 706/542-4693, jsartor@coe.uga.edu