L-R: Laina Stensvold, Aimee Jones, Dax Prather

The Awards for Excellence program, established by the State of North Carolina, recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of NC State employees who have made a significant contribution to their department, division, the University community or the lives of others. Laina Stensvold, Program Assistant, Office of Professional Development; Aimee Jones, Functional Lead, Office of Professional Development; and Dax Prather, Technology Support Engineer, Technology Training Solutions, were nominated for the Awards for Excellence for the Office of the Provost.

L-R: Greg Emma (Assistant Director, Client Relations), Ryan Lawrence (Building Superintendent), Chip Futrell (Director, Continuing & Professional Education)

In April 2017, the McKimmon Conference and Training Center was certified by the NC State University Sustainability Office as a Sustainable Workplace at the Steward level. Sustainable Workplace Certification offers campus departments the opportunity to be more sustainable and earn recognition for these efforts. Campus entities earn points for adopting, or completing, sustainable practices in these categories: energy and water, transportation, purchasing, food and events, health and wellness, waste reduction and sustainability leadership. The goal of Wolfpack Certified Sustainable is to further sustainability at NC State by providing helpful information and encouragement for campus entities to institute sustainable practices in workplaces and campus-related events.

Randy Jones, Business Office for the McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education, received the Mary Frances Hester Service Award in recognition for his dedicated and loyal public service–to both the constituents of the McKimmon Center and to his fellow University employees–thereby enhancing NC State’s commitment to public engagement.

His devotion to others and to the success of our organization is evident in his willingness to go out of his way to suggest better business-related activities to his employees, provide accurate and timely financial information to co-workers, and to improve the quality of life for all of North Carolina’s citizens, one small deed at a time. Randy never fails to ask how he can help anyone who appears to be in need, including clients who contact the Finance and Accounting department by phone, email or in person. Randy not only has a keen eye for accounting procedures, but he also has a huge heart and genuinely cares for people. Randy extends the University to previously underserved citizens by helping annually with McKimmon’s food drives, which provide food assistance to those in need around our campus through the Feed the Pack Pantry and our Upper Coastal Plain Learning Council and Gateway Technology Centers. In recent years, he spearheaded the collection of funds for the first Wilson Engineering Camp, sponsored by the UCPLC, to further the access of outreach initiatives to underserved, young middle school students. He also helped procure dental supplies to use in the UCPLC’s Wisdom Tooth program. Randy has also volunteered with NC State’s Packapalooza festival and currently serves on the NC State Staff Senate, an advisory body to the University Chancellor.

He is a kind, persevering person, McKimmon ambassador, and a valuable employee at NC State University.

L-R: Ralph Smith, Felekech Zena, Stanley Vinston, Kristen Kindred

It takes a lot of hard-working people to keep a building this size clean and in order for our clients and students. McKimmon employees are grateful for the efforts put forth by the building’s housekeeping staff; on September 14, employees gathered to recognize and thank the housekeeping staff (those pictured here, as well as others who could not be present) for their year-round contributions to helping us serve the public.

L-R: Kerrie Cave, Sandy Slezak, Julie Gates (MIX 101.5 co-host, The Gene & Julie Show)

Sandy Slezak, receptionist for the Office of Professional Development (OPD), was selected by radio station MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM for an Administrative Appreciation Luncheon held April 27, 2016 at Brio Tuscan Grill in Raleigh. Sandy was nominated by Kerrie Cave, Assistant Director, OPD, for her complete dedication to her job, exemplary customer service, and team spirit.

L-R: Ben Garner, Janice Sitzes, Holly Sullenger, Juanita Lanning, Ryan Lawrence

The Awards for Excellence program, established by the State of North Carolina, recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of NC State employees who have made a significant contribution to their department, division, the University community or the lives of others. Ben Garner, Assistant Director, Technology & Support Services for the McKimmon Conference & Training Center; Juanita Lanning, Manager, Print Services; Ryan Lawrence, Building Superintendent for the McKimmon Conference & Training Center; Janice Sitzes, Assistant Director, Marketing Services; and Holly Sullenger, Assistant Director, Technology Training Solutions, were nominated for the Awards for Excellence for the Office of the Provost. Holly Sullenger was also selected to represent the Office of the Provost at the University-level Awards for Excellence.

L-R: Ashley Schwed, Randy Schiener, Janice Sitzes, Andy Billingsley

Two promotion pieces created by Marketing Services received 2015 Excellence in Marketing Awards from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA). The brochure for MCE&CE’s Customized Contractual Education received a Bronze Award and was created by Andy Billingsley, Manager, Customized Contractual Education; Randy Schiener, Multi-media Designer; and Janice Sitzes, Assistant Director, Marketing. The postcard for the 2015 Summer Institute in English received a Silver Award; Janice Sitzes and Ashley Schwed, Program Coordinator, produced the postcard in conjunction with NC State’s Foreign Languages and Literatures.

L-R: Alice Warren, Ben Garner, Tricia Inlow-Hatcher

Ben Garner, Assistant Director, Technology & Support Services for the McKimmon Conference & Training Center, received the Mary Frances Hester Service Award in recognition for his leadership and loyalty to providing excellent customer service to every client–both internal and external–who relies on the McKimmon Center for successful programs and meetings.

Ben inspires and empowers his team to be their best so they can provide exceptional customer service to the various clients, attendees, and employees at the McKimmon Center. He and his team work quickly and professionally to respond to requests and solve any problems that may arise. Ben never fails to follow up after every event, asking if everything was set up properly, if the event well, and if everything worked to the client’s satisfaction. Not only is Ben professional and efficient, but he is always cheerful, positive, and helpful.

Ben’s professional and personal attributes exemplify the spirit of service and help improve the quality of life for North Carolina’s citizens.

L-R: Holly Basso, Martin Brossman, Darla Alexander, Karen Tiede, Heather Cutchin Evans

Darla Alexander, Program Assistant with Technology Training Solutions, recently earned her Certificate of Social Media Management. Darla completed 42 hours of social media training over 14 weeks, along with a capstone social media project, to earn her diploma.

L-R: Joseph Johnson, Chair of the African American Faculty and Staff Organization, Pat Cotton

The creative talents of Pat Cotton, Graphic Artist for the Center for Urban Affairs & Community Services, received university-wide recognition when her design submission was selected as the winning logo for NC State’s African American Faculty Staff Organization.

L-R: Stacie Varner, Cheryl McKenzie, Carrie Hayes-Bjorkquist, Ashley Schwed

The Awards for Excellence program, established by the State of North Carolina, recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of NC State employees who have made a significant contribution to their department, division, the University community or the lives of others. Carrie Hayes-Bjorkquist, Catering Coordinator for the McKimmon Conference & Training Center; Cheryl McKenzie, Program Assistant in the Office of Professional Development; Ashley Schwed, Program Assistant in the Office of Professional Development; and Stacie Varner, Executive Assistant with the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services (CUACS), were selected for the Provost Unit’s Award for Excellence. Cheryl McKenzie was also selected to represent the Provost’s Unit at the University-level Awards for Excellence.

L-R: Robert Hansen – UPCEA CEO, Alice Warren, Karen Sibley – UPCEA President

Alice Warren, Vice Provost for Continuing Education, received the Outstanding Service to Continuing Education Award by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) South Region. She was honored in front of her peers at the UPCEA South Regional Conference held in Birmingham, AL from October 16-18, 2013. Ms. Warren has been a dedicated leader in UPCEA at both the regional and national levels. She currently serves as the Chair of the 2014 UPCEA National Conference and Advisory Committee and is the former chair of the Awards Committee.

L-R: Brad Eargle, Rob Chapman, Odis Newsome, Ben Garner

Four McKimmon staffers have recently earned Certified Fiber Optics training certifications through Technology Training Solutions, in partnership with BDI DataLynk. Odis Newsome earned his Certified Fiber Optics Technician (CFOT); Rob Chapman, Brad Eargle, and Ben Garner each earned three certifications–CFOT, Certified Fiber Optics Specialist in Testing & Maintenance (CFOS/T), and Certified Fiber Optics Specialist/Splicing (CFOS/S).