Lester Named Classified Employee of the Year

Ann Lester, Student Program Advisor for the Financial Aid Department, Scholarships & Student Employment, has been named the 2007 Classified Employee of the Year for Fairmont State University.

Lester was honored with the award during the annual Classified Staff Luncheon on Nov. 7 in the Turley Center Ballroom. Lester started her career at Fairmont State in 1974. Many departments on campus provided gifts for the award winner.

"This is a roomful of people who contribute so much to our students and our campus," Lester told those gathered for the luncheon as she accepted her award. "Over the years in my various capacities, I have had the opportunity to make lifelong friendships. I have learned about employees and the generous things they do that no one ever knows about. I know of students who would not have graduated if employees in departments on campus had not adopted them and supported them both economically and emotionally. We have employees who just 'do' because there is a need that needs to be met. What we do makes a difference in the lives of students."

Other nominees for the award were Jolie Carpenter, Accounting Assistant II for the Procurement Office; Becky Miller, Administrative Assistant for the Procurement Office; Debbie Rogers, Purchasing Assistant II for the School of Fine Arts; Harriet Snyder, Administrative Secretary Senior for the Departments of Behaviorial Science and Social Sciences; and Janice Watts, Program Assistant II for the School of Education.

Lester currently works as a Student Program Advisor for the Financial Aid, Scholarships & Student Employment office. Previously, she worked in the area of Student Affairs for over 31 years. She has served as Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs, Supervisor of Women's Housing, Student Program Advisor with Student Employment in Career Services, Judicial Affairs, Summer Pre-Registration, Parking Administration, Testing, Recruitment, Academic Advisor for Undecided Students, Advisor to Women's Panhellenic and Interpanhellenic Councils and Student Organization Development. She has served in the volunteer position of Faculty Advisor for the national sorority, Phi Mu; Classified Staff representative on the Board of Governors; and was successful in bringing the American Cancer Society Relay for Life to our campus. She also currently serves on the Classified Staff Council.

FSU President Dan Bradley and Pierpont Community & Technical College of FSU President Blair Montgomery praised classified staff members for their hard work and dedication to serving students.

"I would like to hank all the classified staff members for making Fairmont State the great institution that it is and for providing the service you do for our students," Bradley said. "Without you, we wouldn't be able to function."

"You are the heart of this institution," Montgomery said. "You and the students make everything happen."

Also during the luncheon, the Office of Human Resources honored employees for their years of service to Fairmont State.

Honored for 35 years of service were Brenda Davis, Program Assistant II, and Joseph Rogers, Athletic Equipment Coordinator. Honored for 30 years of service were Beverly Johnston, Program Assistant II, and Cindy Knight, Administrative Secretary Senior.

Honored for 25 years of service were Carol Mainella, Food Service Manager II; David Sanford, Trade(s) Specialist Lead I; Larney Moore, Campus Service Worker Lead; Kenneth Satterfield, Landscape Worker; Vera Thomas, Library Tech Assistant I. Honored for 20 years of service were Sheila Warnick, Program Assistant II; Louella Rennie, Administrative Secretary Senior; Thomas Willard, Landscape Worker.

Honored for 15 years of service were Paul Boyce, Trades Specialist I; Paul Bulka, Trade(s) Specialist Lead I; Terry Rinehart, Landscape Worker; Beverly Jones, Program Assistant I; Linda Mackey, Campus Service Worker; Kathleen Hurst, Academic Lab Manager I. Honored for 10 years of service were Chrystal Retton, Student Records Assistant, and Penny Gallucci, Administrative Secretary Senior.

Honored for five years of service were Heidi Mahaney, Administrative Secretary Senior; Tina Stuart, Career Services Technician; Linda Ogden, Campus Service Worker; Valerie Woofter, Administrative Secretary Senior; Tina Malcomb, Program Assistant I; Jean Phipps, Library Tech Assistant I; Heidi Rogers, Budget Analyst Senior; Linda Toothman, Program Assistant I; Ron Chrislip, Chef; Kimberly DeMeester, Program Assistant II; Elizabeth McCutcheon, Human Resources Assistant III; Rita Ice, Food Service Worker.