During a picnic at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, several staff members were recognized for going above and beyond their daily responsibilities. Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president, presented awards to each winner at the Mary and Bayless Butler outdoor classroom located by Le Fer Lake.
The Carolyn J. Mock Staff Excellence Award was presented to Frankie Enochs ’93, associate vice president for information technology. This is given to a staff member each spring who collaborates with other departments and the outside community while using creativity and innovation in their job.
Her nominator said she displayed quick thinking and leadership during her years at The Woods, and especially when COVID caused students and employees to leave campus. She and the IT department went through a near overnight shift from face-to-face to fully online.
“Frankie has been on several committees including the COVID-19 task force and strategic planning committees,” her nominator wrote. “She’s also been integral in making sure that the technology is set up for the new residence hall.”
Along with a certificate, Enochs was awarded $300, five additional personal days and a parking spot of her choice for one year.
Zach Whitkanack was presented with the Outstanding Staff Award, which is given in the fall and spring. The award is given to an individual who goes above and beyond their normal responsibilities and actively participates and supports College activities outside their regular job.
Whitkanack serves as an admissions counselor and coach for the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams. His nominator said that he always has a smile on his face and is ready to speak with prospective students. He also organized the new student registration events for 2020 and 2021.
“He is known to champion for students, whether it’s working with financial aid to see if the student can attend here or…making sure they’re successful in the classroom,” the nominator wrote.
Winner of the Outstanding Staff Award receives $100, two additional personal days, a parking spot of their choice for six months and a framed certificate.
The COVID-19 Task Force, led by Janet Clark, Ph.D., vice president for academic and student affairs, was also recognized. This team actively worked day and night to ensure students and employees did not lose a day to COVID.
“The Task Force members each in turn contributed to the planning, meeting daily and often dropping everything to respond to pandemic-related issues,” the team’s nominator wrote. “Together, we pivoted. We were thoughtful and creative. We launched protocols and worked out new solutions. We were resilient. We rallied. We gave our blood, time and prayers. Most of all, together we believed.”