To be nominated for Keuka College’s Student Employee of the Year award, a student must demonstrate excellence in several categories, including outstanding merit in reliability, quality of work, initiative, disposition, and contribution to employer.

The Center for Experiential Learning sponsors the annual award, along with the Northeast Association of Student Employment Administrators (NEASEA). Serving 11 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, NEASEA is a non-profit association of professionals from education, business, industry, labor and government who are involved with programs for students who work while attending college.

Eight students have been nominated for Student Employee of the Year, and thw winner will be the College nominee for the New York State Student Employee of the Year award.In the past eight years, four Keuka students have gone on to win the state award.

Here is look at the 2009 nominees:

 Becky Brundage

Instructional Technology Services (ITS) Help Desk Coordinator Judy Jones said Becky Brundage, a junior social work major has been a “wonderful addition” to ITS.

Not to mention the consummate team player.

For example, while Brundage was answering telephone calls, Jones was able to get new students setup with e-mail and computer access.

Jones, who nominated Brundage, says the Pottsboro, Texas, resident “can always be counted on for extra support.”

While Jones relies on Brundage to answer the phones, file, enter service requests, run errands and copying, Brundage “has gone beyond her job description by learning to do some computer service work, phone and Internet trouble shooting,” said Jones.

According to Jones, Brundage takes constructive criticism well and uses it to her advantage to make her job easier.

“She is friendly and courteous both on the phone and in person,” said Jones. “Becky’s quiet demeanor puts people at ease when they call or come in with a problem about their computer, phone or Internet. She relates well with the students that come in by understanding their problems.”

When ITS had a campus-wide phone problem, Brundage made some good suggestions, according to Jones.

Brundage “sets a good example for our other student workers by being punctual, pleasant and asking enough questions to obtain information to solve the student/customers’ problem,” said Jones. “She is detail-oriented and makes sure she gets all the necessary information, which helps make the service technicians’ job much easier.”

 Kristin Curran

Heather Bond, central intake /transition outreach coordinator, Yates ARC, helped create the D.R.I.V.E. (diversity, responsibility, inclusion, vision and experiential learning) program nearly two years ago, and Kristin Curran, a junior occupational science major, has been there from the beginning.

“Our vision for the D.R.I.V.E. program is to have students from all walks of life, and with all levels of ability, exploring their personal goals and dreams in an inclusive and supportive educational environment,” said Bond. “I believe Kristin is the embodiment of this vision, and her participation as a D.R.I.V.E. peer mentor has been integral to the successes with students who have developmental disabilities.”

Bond, who nominated Curran, a Portville resident, says Curran’s gentle and supportive approach enables the students to develop the self confidence and social skills they need.

“Kristin comes to each shift with a smile on her face, and she makes the needs of each student with whom she works her priority,” said Bond. “She is flexible and creative, which allows her to adjust quicky and efficiently to our D.R.I.V.E. students’ changing needs. She is dependable and has a maturity beyond her years.”

According to Bond, Curran goes out of her way to socialize with the D.R.I.V.E. students, and introduces them to her friends without hesitation.

“Kristin has also been supporting one particular individual whose dream was to join the College choir,” said Bond. “Despite her other obligations on campus, Kristin meets David once or twice per week so that he may participate in this experience. He beams with excitement when anyone asks him about this experience, and it would not be possible without Kristin’s hard work and dedication.”   

Bond says Curran’s work has helped make the D.R.I.V.E. program a success on the Keuka campus.

“We are highly visible and integrated into the College community, and our students are flourishing in this supportive and accepting environment,” said Bond. “Kristin not only gives our students the confidence and support they need to reach for their dreams and goals, she also shows her peers without disabilities on the campus what a world without prejudice and division could look like.”

Added Bond: “Kristin’s supportive nature allows the College community to see the benefits the D.R.I.V.E. program can bring to the greater student body.”

 Liz Lynough

When Elmira resident Liz Lynough enrolled at Keuka College, Assistant Director of Admissions Kristen Harter knew the unified childhood/special education major would stand out.

And Harter was not disappointed.

“Liz is one of the best student workers that I have had, and she brings enthusiasm and motivation to our office,” said Harter, who nominated Lynough, a senior. “She stands apart from the other students who work in admissions because she is active in starting projects for prospective students.”

According to Harter, Lynough’s desire is to help prospective students have the best experience while visiting Keuka.

“Liz has taken it upon herself to instant message perspective students at night in order to answer any questions they may have,” said Harter. “She has also offered to have students come visit Keuka and stay with her to show students what a typical day is like here. She works with prospective students on campus, through e-mail or on the phone, which in turn helps the student be more successful at Keuka.” 

And it’s not just perspective students who appreciate Lynough’s efforts. The admissions office has received multiple compliments on how personal she is with family members.

“Families comment on how Liz talks about her personal experience at Keuka and her ability to relate to the prospective student,” said Harter.

Harter says there are two qualities one must posses to work in admissions—dependability and trustworthiness—and Lynough has both.

“She has worked for all of the open houses and scholarship days,” said Harter. “Liz also worked for a summer helping the counselors and staff with getting mailings out to prospective students. She always knows what to do and takes initiative to get things done without guidance. Having these qualities has helped Keuka’s enrollment as a whole.”

Lynough served as a mentor and a peer counselor, is a member of the CEC-Special Education Club and women’s lacrosse team.

Added Harter: “Liz not only stands out for the high quality work she does in admissions, but also to the rest of the campus. I cannot think of a more deserving student for this award.”

 Chris Russell

According to Joe Smith, work-study supervisor, senior Chris Russell has become an integral part of Sodexo Food Services’ culinary staff.

Smith is so impressed with the political science/history major, this marks the second year in a row he nominated Russell for the coveted title of Student Employee of the Year.

A four-year employee, Russell, a resident of Youngstown, has worked “almost every position in our department,” said Smith.

Russell’s duties include serving as omelet cook on the weekends.

“Chris is an honest, dependable employee with a great amount of integrity,” said Smith. “When he graduates this spring, he will be sorely missed by everyone in dining services.”

 Ashton Watts

Amanda Bump, catering supervisor, says junior Ashton Watts has been an “outstanding” member of  the Sodexo Food Services catering staff.

“Ashton is a very capable and professional individual,” says Bump, who nominated the biology major with an organismal and forensic chemistry minor. “Her work is of the highest quality and she has an excellent attitude. She handles the pressures of our business well and always remains calm.”

A “valuable” member of the staff, Bump looks forward to working with Watts in the future.

“Ashton is a talented, compassionate, honest and hard-working individual and we are honored to nominate her for Student Employee of the Year.”

 Jessica Whitaker

Senior Jessica Whitaker began her work-study employment in the registrar’s office four years ago.

In that time, Whitaker, a Remsen resident, has “become an asset to Keuka, and our office, and we are very blessed to have her here,” said Kathy Areford, student services representative and one of two people to nominate Whitaker.

The other, Jessica Noveck, student services representative, agrees with Areford.

“Jessica exhibits the kind of work ethic and professionalism that one wishes were characteristic of all students,” said Noveck. “It is easy to see a glimpse of your younger self in her and in her desire to succeed.”

According to Noveck and Areford, Whitaker, a double major in adolescent mathematics education and mathematics with an American Sign Language minor, is never at a loss for work; when she completes one task, she is on to another.

“If there is a lull in her work flow, she will ask for additional tasks and does them without complaint,” said Areford. “She is consistent and careful in her work; many times catching errors previously overlooked. Her perfectionist attitude flows into everything she does.”

While student teaching, Whitaker would come in later in the afternoon.

“While some people were preparing to leave for the day, they would leave verbal instructions with Jessica to complete tasks,” said Noveck. “They felt comfortable in doing so because they knew that they could count on her.”

While carrying full course loads each semester and achieving an “almost perfect grade-point-average,” Whitaker shares her time and talents as a member of the American Sign Language Club, Residence Hall Association, Sigma Alpha Pi, President’s Leadership Circle, and Sigma Lambda Sigma honor society.

“In addition, Jessica serves as a role model to our younger students as a part of Keuka’s women’s lacrosse team and as a tutor for the Academic Success at Keuka (ASK) Center,” said Areford.

Added Noveck: “Jessica is truly an asset to the registrar’s office. She is an independent, intelligent, and industrious woman who will make a great mathematics teacher.”

 Laura Williams

Only one community service advocate returned to the Community Service Resource Center (Center for Experiential Learning) for the 2008-09 academic year.

Fortunately for Sally Daggett, associate director of the Center for Experiential Learning, it was Laura Williams, a senior form Odessa.

“In just a few short months, I have come to fully understand and learn why Laura exemplifies the characteristics of Student Employee of the Year,” said Daggett, who nominated Williams, a management major with a concentration in marketing and entrepreneurship. “Laura willingly took on the extra responsibility of training and supervising new community service advocates.

“While each has the passion and experience of community service and volunteerism, Laura was the one that showed them the ropes of understanding our programming and acclimating them to College policies, procedures, and expectations,” added Daggett. “By the end of the semester, we had a well-oiled machine. The students bonded well, and look to Laura for her leadership, guidance, and expertise within the Community Service Resource Center.” 

Daggett was particularly impressed with Williams’ work on the Drives of the Month, when a local not for-profit organization is chosen to raise awareness of their mission by soliciting donations.

“Laura worked with local elementary schools, the Needs ‘N Things Closet, Penny Jug War, and Child and Family Resource Center Inc., as well as Make a Difference Day,” said Daggett. “She also worked with the Sports Management 401 course to assist with Storm Madness, and assisted in raising awareness for the plight of hunger with Sodexo Food Service’s Cans Across America program and Food for the Needy. If there is a need, Laura is there to help and make a difference." 

In addition to serving as a community service advocate, Williams is president of Rotaract Club, project manager of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), and serves as vice president of Sigma Lambda Sigma. Williams also served as a peer counselor, and is a member of Sigma Alpha Pi Society for Leadership and Success and Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society.

“Laura also has another work-study position as a tutor for business and marketing courses with the Office of Academic Success at Keuka (ASK),” said Daggett. “She helps prepare students for tests and quizzes and assists them with research.”

Daggett sees a trend in Williams’ choices of activities.

“Laura has weaved a pattern of community service throughout the fabric of her college career,” she explained. “For Laura, it is more than just the academic degree. She wants to be that well-rounded individual going beyond the classroom and being an active participant in the community in which she lives.”

Added Daggett: “Without Laura’s initiative and reliability, the Community Service Resource Center would not be what it is today.”

Chris Yurko

In his 17 years of employment at Keuka College, Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Director of Athletics Jeff Bray has worked with dozens of outstanding student employees.

“During my time at Keuka, I have had a select few student employees who have been cut from a little different cloth,” said Bray. “This year I have one of those students, and he may be the best yet.”

Senior Christopher Yurko has “raised the bar” as to what duties Bray expects a student employee to perform. 

“During the four years he has been employed as a student athletic trainer, Chris has gone above and beyond on a regular basis,” said Bray. “He consistently looks for ways to improve our daily operation, whether it is how the other student athletic trainers are scheduled, how we cover athletic practices at off-campus sites, or what supplies and equipment need to be ordered. He fully understands the process for setting up for home sporting events.”

But it’s not just Bray who recognizes Yurko’s contributions to Keuka’s athletic teams.

“President Burke complimented him for his effort and quality work,” explained Bray, “and our entire coaching staff readily requests Chris when they need to re-schedule a practice if I’m not available.”

Twice during the soccer and basketball campaigns, the head athletic trainer at two other colleges sent e-mails to Bray after Keuka visited those schools.

“They complimented the outstanding effort Chris demonstrated while taking care of our soccer and basketball teams,” said Bray. “Chris certainly understands the importance of making a positive first impression, and receiving the recognition of professionals at other institutions speaks volumes for the quality of student employee Chris has become.” 

Not only has Bray observed Yurko as a work-study student, but in the classroom and Field Period settings as well.

“While they differ from the work study-student employee situation, I can say the effort, work production, and quality of work are first rate,” explained Bray. “Chris’ recent project with Pink Zone Breast Cancer Awareness Week was well received on both a local and regional level.”