Dean Walter Wagor, center, with Stephanie Tarver, left
and Kristi Yerian

Each year, Kent State University at Stark recognizes outstanding staff members who have been nominated by their peers. One award is given to an outstanding member of the support staff and one award is given to an outstanding administrator. On Friday, April 8, members of the faculty, staff and administrators gathered in the Kent State Stark's Main Hall auditorium to recognize the 2011 Staff and Administrator Excellence Award recipients.

Dean Walter Wagor presented Stephanie Tarver, an administrative clerk in Student Services, with the Staff Excellence Award and Kristi Yerian, student activities coordinator, with the Administrator Excellence Award.

Several weeks prior to the ceremony, the campus community was asked to nominate employees with written recommendations supporting the people they believed were deserving of the recognition.

Wagor read a highlight from one of Tarver's nominations, stating, "Whether she's speaking to a stressed student or parent on the phone, simultaneously serving three students at the front desk, clearing yet another copier jam, training a co-worker, or attempting to complete data entry for the seventh time on the same file; Stephanie does it all wearing a smile, projecting a genuine tone of concern in her voice and emitting a warm, contagious laugh."

One of Yerian's nominations read by Wagor says, "The attitude displayed by Kristi in her day-in and day-out interactions with students, faculty, staff and community members is nothing short of amazing. She always maintains a courteous, professional demeanor no matter which constituency she is working with. Kristi continues to make herself available anytime, anywhere. Whether helping a student with a personal issue, working a late night or weekend program or following up with work from home, Kristi is available 24/7/365."

Each recipient was awarded with a commemorative clock and a cash prize in recognition of the excellence they display in their jobs on a daily basis.