Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College recognized 58 employees for their years of service to the institution at the President’s Christmas Dinner.
“As employees, we carry the mission and legacy of this place with us each day. The Woods is as much a part of us as we are of it – we are a family,” said Dottie King, Ph.D., president. “I am honored to be able to recognize the years of service of our dedicated and talented employees.”
SMWC recognized service awards for both 2021 and 2020, as last year’s event was put on hold due to the pandemic.
Five individuals were recognized for 25 years of service and one for 40 years of service. Years of service are recognized annually starting at five years of service.
Donna Rader-Cooper has been with Sodexo and now Bon Appétit for 40 years, when the dining room was still part of the old Foley Hall.
“Teamwork, professionalism and dedication are all traits that make Donna a cornerstone for the foodservice program on the SMWC campus. Her care for students, faculty and staff is felt every day for all who enter Doherty Dining Hall. She truly knows all the students by name,” said King during the event.
Becky Barbour, Marilee Bridgewater, Richard Collins, Ph.D., Tracy Richardson ’88, Ph.D., and Sara Schultz ’98, M.Ed., were honored for 25 years of service.
Barbour began her career 25 years ago welcoming students to the Women’s External Degree, now Woods Online, Office. Now, she serves as the Executive Assistant to the Provost interacting with all facets of the SMWC community.
King said, “Becky exhibits strong initiative, dedication, knowledge and customer service skills, and in four short years as an assistant in Academic Affairs, she has created remarkable and welcomed efficiencies. She takes pride in her work, our students and the College — most of the time behind the scenes.”
Bridgewater began working part-time in 1996 in WED Admissions and was quickly moved to full-time as the Systems Manager. Today Bridgewater has her hands in everything technology-related for Academic Affairs, working with the education department, career center and Accuplacer.
“She registers Woods Online students and does everything she can to ensure each student experience is the best it can possibly be. You will also see her cleaning out rooms in Guerin, bringing her trailer to move furniture across campus, setting up classrooms and taping down floors during COVID. Marilee’s commitment to SMWC is unparalleled,” said King.
Collins began 25 years ago as an assistant professor in the Department of Theology, Philosophy and Gerontology. He is a past chair of the Theology Department and taught graduate students in the former Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology program. He is currently a member of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department teaching theology on campus and WOL.
King shared, “Richard is known for holding his students to high standards, and for taking the time to provide the students with detailed feedback. He is valued by his colleagues for his sense of humor as well as his insightful analysis of challenging issues.”
Richardson was recently appointed Dean of the new Division of Arts and Social Sciences, after having served as the Dean of Graduate Therapy and Counseling Programs since January 2020. She also directs the music therapy graduate program.
King said, “Tracy has proven herself as a creative faculty member. She spearheaded and developed the hybrid delivery Master of Arts in Music Therapy and the MTED certificate which have brought national recognition to SMWC. And, in her spare time, Tracy is an active songwriter and spends time in Nashville collaborating with other songwriters and performing live!”
Schulz began her 25-year career at The Woods as an instructor, assistant operations manager and coach for the Western Equine team. She was promoted to Assistant Professor, serving for a time as the chair of the department, spearheading numerous new initiatives for the department such as launching the Certified Horseman’s Association, a horse adoption program for the Mari Hulman George family, a faculty-led study abroad experiences to Ireland in 2018, and student involvement in the Hoosier Horse Fair. Sara was awarded the Pomeroy Award for Teaching in 2010.
“The students revere Sara. They know she has a wealth of horse-related knowledge, the ability to teach, and a life-long learner continuing to compete and win professional equestrian events. She continues to be a great role model for our students today,” said King.
Others who were recognized for their service to the institution include:
2020 faculty and staff
Five years:
Sara Amstutz, MBA
Deanna Babcock, MS
Margaret Bose
Chris Lozier
Cindy Morgan
Abraham Nasser
Brennan Randolph, MBA
Brenda Shay ’17G
Tabatha Taylor, MS
David Thomas
Wendy Walter, Ph.D.
Ten years:
Deanna Reed ’08
Travis Walters
Fifteen years:
Rebecca Andrews, MFA
Michael Boswell, MM
Mary Samm ’10
Christine Wilkey, MSW, LCSW
Twenty years:
Ronald Maurey
Rebecca Naccarato – Follet
Glenna Simons, JD
Heather Tighe
Frank Whittle, MBA
2020 faculty adjunct
Five years:
Deborah Bates, Ph.D., MT-BC
Barbara Battista, SP
Bridget Ireland ’08, ’12G
Amanda Steiner ’06, MS, MT-BC
Ten years:
Frances Goldberg, MM, FAMI, MT-BC
Scott Powell
Cynthia Searfoss
Stella Stepney
Fifteen years:
Michelle Morahn
Alan Turry, DMA, MT-BC
2021 faculty and staff
Five years:
Crystal Cox
Andrew Delnat, MSN, RN
Kara Leturgez
Catherine Saunders ’98
Abdessamad Tizaf ’21G
Jaclyn Walters
Zach Whitkanack
Meredith Williams, MBA
Yeijin Yeom, Ph.D., RN, CNE
Ten years:
Lesli Marnewick
Fifteen years:
Jamie McCracken ’99, Ph.D.
Elaine Yaw ’95, MFA
Twenty years:
Kathi Kortz
2021 faculty adjunct
Five years:
Michelle Henderson, Ph.D.
Sarah Maxwell ’08G, MA, MT-BC
Maria Sellers
Ten years:
Sheila Conder
Louise Dimiceli-Mitran, MA, LCPC, MT-BC, FAMI
Peter Meyer, MA, MT-BC
Twenty years:
Roberta Williams