Spring Break
Univ. recognizes top workers
CAROLYN CRIST
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
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Blaschke, a senior computer science major from Watkinsville, addresses anything from broken printers to HTML programming as the department's computer specialist. He was named the best student worker at the Second Annual Student Employee of the Year awards luncheon Tuesday.
"It was easy to write this letter," Bill Kerr, associate professor of food science and technology, said as he read his nomination letter to the group of 100 top student employees at the luncheon.
The department lost its full-time computer specialist due to budget cuts, and Kerr recommended Blaschke, whom he met at church.
"I knew his level of skill, and it only got stronger," Kerr said. "Sometimes he's better than full-time specialists."
Blaschke created an online forum to answer technical questions, designed the department's Web site and addressed problems even University experts couldn't fix, Kerr said.
"He can work across platforms and is never quite happy until he solves the problem, which he usually does," he said.
Blaschke has worked with the department since summer 2004 and plans to graduate within the next year, he said.
Ashley Patterson, a senior dietetics major from Americus, works as a facility manager for Ramsey Student Center and was awarded runner-up student employee of the year.
"She opens and closes Ramsey, supervises the student staff and acts as a liaison between students and full-time employees," Amanda Gabriel, coordinator of informal recreation and event management, said. "She's a self-starter who goes above and beyond to pick up shifts for co-workers, set up and clean up activities."
Patterson applied more than a year ago and now manages the building. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in nutrition science or dietetics at the University of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Jennifer Brostrand, a senior biology and pre-medicine major from Mableton, works for the Hugh Hodgson school of music and was awarded second runner-up.
"She's one of the brightest, kindest, most intelligent and most generous workers," Mitos Andaya, associate director of choral activities, said. "This year was one of our busiest ... and she helped organize incoming registration or find utensils for Dave Brubeck's meal, all with a smile."
She found her job using the University's Dawglink her freshman year.
"I needed a job, and I like to sing, so I thought I'd fit in," she said. Brostrand plans to attend Mercer University for medical school in the fall.
More than 5,000 student employees work in various departments across campus.
"Think about this as more of a paycheck," Art Dunning, the luncheon's keynote speaker and vice president for public service and outreach, said. "Make it a rich experience by engaging and learning. We couldn't run this institution without you."
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