2012 BOR Staff Awards Recipients
Each year, the Council of University System Staff (CUSS) accepts nominations for the Board of Regents University System of Maryland Staff Awards. These awards are an excellent opportunity for USM institutions to recognize outstanding staff members. The awards represent the highest honor bestowed by the Board of Regents for achievements of Exempt and Non-Exempt Staff employees from institutions within the University System of Maryland. All of the USM institutions are encouraged to submit nominations for the Board of Regents' Staff Awards.
In accordance with Board of Regents Policy, nominations must be reviewed at each institution before submission to the CUSS Awards Review Committee. At UMCP, the Senate Staff Affairs Committee reviews all nomination packages and submits recommendations to the President. The President reviews the committee's suggestions, makes the final campus selections, and sends the recommendations to CUSS. The CUSS Awards Review Committee then selects the final system-wide candidates to be submitted to the Board of Regents. Recipients are announced in early summer with formal presentation of the award recipients early each fall.
The Board of Regents, meeting in executive session on Friday, June 22, 2012 at Salisbury University, approved the following staff members as recipients of the 2012 BOR Staff Awards:
For Exceptional Contribution to the Institution and/or Unit to Which a Person Belongs
1) Arlene Wergin, Exempt Staff - UMBC
2) Janet Magruder, Non-Exempt Staff - UMBC
For Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment
1) Tracy Miller, Exempt Staff - TU
2) Patricia Baker, Non-Exempt Staff - UMCP
For Extraordinary Public Service to the University or the Greater Community
1) Ann Townsell, Exempt Staff - FSU
2) Gail Price, Non-Exempt Staff - TU
For Effectiveness and Efficiency - Administrative Transformation
1) Mary Murrel, Exempt Staff - UMUC
The University Senate wishes to congratulate Patricia Baker on this incredible accomplishment!
Patricia C. Baker, Program Management Specialist in Fire Protection Engineering (FPE), will be honored by the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents (BOR). The BOR has selected Baker as a recipient of the 2011-2012 USM Board of Regents' Staff Award in the category of Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment - Nonexempt Staff.
Baker is the only staff member from the College Park campus to be recognized this year. The award is the highest honor to be bestowed by the BOR to recognize exemplary staff achievement. She will be recognized publicly at a ceremony prior to the start of the next BOR meeting on September 28, 2012 at Bowie State University. In addition to the Regents' honor, Baker will be recognized by campus with a President's Distinguished Service Award on October 9, 2012 at the 29th Annual Faculty and Staff Convocation in the Memorial Chapel.
Baker joined the University in 1978 as a secretary in Counseling and Personnel Services in the College of Education. In the early 1980s she came to the School of Engineering and, over the years, held positions as the graduate secretary in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. She has nearly 34 years of service with the University.
Known for her many contributions and kindnesses, Baker is a favorite of students, alumni, faculty and staff who routinely attest to her positive qualities. Pat plays an especially important role in the lives of the students, supporting them and making a difference in their lives as they progress through the FPE undergraduate and graduate programs.
"She thrives on making people feel better and in giving of herself," says Dr. Marino di Marzo, professor, director of facilities for the Clark School and past department chair. "She makes anyone who comes to her desk, whether it is a student, faculty member, alumnus or visitor, feel as though their request is the most important task at hand."
"Pat is the glue that holds our department together," says Dr. James A. Milke, professor and chair, fire protection engineering. "Students approach her when they are faced with any sort of difficulty or need help with administrative issues. In all cases, she maintains a positive demeanor and assists them. Similarly, Pat is always willing to assist faculty and staff with any administrative matter that they need to have addressed."
In 1995, Baker was the recipient of the Clark School's Outstanding Staff Service Award.