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UTPA staff honored at annual staff awards ceremony
By Melissa C. Rodriguez, Public Affairs Representative
316-7192
Posted: 05/01/2008
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Staff at The University of Texas-Pan American were honored during the 20th annual Staff Employee Awards ceremony April 30.

Employees were recognized for their length of service and meritorious contributions. Also honored were employees who retired during 2007.

UTPA President Dr. Blandina Cárdenas thanked the more than 200 employees assembled at the ceremony for their dedicated service.


UTPA Image
Pictured from left to right are UTPA President Dr. Blandina Cárdenas, Distinguished Service Award recipient Rose Marie Guerrero Galindo, and UTPA Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Paul Sale.
“I salute all of you, especially those who are being recognized and thank you for the spirit you bring to your work and the love you bring to this University,” Cárdenas said. “We are here to celebrate your work and commitment, so take pride in what you’ve accomplished and share these awards with everyone you know.”

Seventy-six employees were recognized for five years of service to UTPA; 56 employees for 10 years of service; and 21 employees for 15 years of service.

Also honored were 11 employees who have been with the University for 20 years; five employees for 25 years; and eight employees for 30 years. Esmeralda Guerra, Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, and Francisca Rios, assistant vice president for Business Affairs, were each recognized for 35 years of service.

Four staff members were honored for their participation in service and civic organizations and volunteerism including, Rick Gray, director of Student Health Services; Mark E. Lacy, athletics development officer; Rebecca Gadson, director of special programs for the Dean of Students; and TJ Rossow, professional nurse practitioner. Four employees were nominated by their peers for their exemplary job performance and were presented with Staff Senate Awards and a personalized plaque. Staff Senate Award recipients include Jessica M. Sanchez, Division of Academic Affairs; Norma Olague, Division of Business Affairs; Israel O. Galindo, Division of Community Engagement; and Patricia Koo, Division of Enrollment and Student Services. Kendall Tinker and Fernando Salinas, both locksmiths at UTPA, were recognized with a Special Senate Award. Additionally, 17 former employees were recognized who retired during 2007.


UTPA Image
Pictured from left to right are Vice President for Information Technology Bob Lim, Outstanding Suggestion Award recipient Jonathan Peña, and Janie Palacios, director of academic services.
The Meritorious Service Awards recognized employees whose performance and dedication were beyond that normally expected. The recipients this year were: Patricia P Cruthirds, Office of the President; Jessica M. Sanchez, Center for Learning, Teaching and Technology; Elva Inelda Galvan, Communication; Reyes Garcia III, Office of Graduate Studies; Eva G. Serrano, Physics and Geology; Francisca Anita Rivera, Budget Office; Melissa A. Rodriguez, Comptroller; Dalinda Sandoval, Human Resources; Bee Kian Loh, Payroll Office; Israel Galindo, CoSERVE; Juan Ovalle, Learning Assistance Center; Amy J. Martin, Office of the Dean of Students; Rosalinda Rossow, Student Health Services; Maria Isabel Infante, Computer Center; Russell K. Dove, Information Technology; Guadalupe Gomez Jr., Information Technology Support Services; Josue Rivas Jr., Information Technology Support Services; and Melissa Vasquez, Office of University Relations. Recipients received a personalized plaque, framed citation and a monetary award.

Jonathan Peña, computer user services specialist III, received the Outstanding Suggestion Award for his suggestions which resulted in significant savings for the University. Rose Marie Guerrero Galindo, assistant vice president for administration and academic budget officer, was honored with a Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding service as an employee who distinguished herself through acts of courage, selflessness, or dedication so outstanding as to clearly set her apart from her contemporaries. Recipients of the Outstanding Suggestion Award and Distinguished Service Award received a personalized plaque, framed citation and a monetary award.

For more information about the UTPA staff awards and for a listing of employees recognized visit the Web site at www.utpa.edu/humanresources/staffawardsweb.htm.

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