The University of Nebraska Office Professionals Association presented awards to UNL’s Richard Bischoff, Michelle Jacobs, Kathy Schindler and Susan Thomas during a Nov. 10 luncheon.
Bischoff, chair and professor in child, youth and family studies, was named the UNOPA Boss of the Year. Jacobs, administrative coordinator for the marketing department in the College of Business Administration, and Thomas, accounting associate for the HAPPI business center, were presented Floyd S. Oldt Silver Pen Awards. And Schindler, administrative support associate for agronomy and horticulture, earned the Floyd S. Oldt Outstanding Staff award.
The boss of the year award recognizes an NU employee who demonstrated outstanding skills in employee supervision and interpersonal relations. The award includes $500, an engraved plaque and a one-year UNOPA membership.
Bischoff was nominated by Lisa King, staff assistant in child, youth and family studies.
“Richard is open to new ways of doing things, allowing us to experiment with our work to find the best practices for our job duties,” King wrote in her nomination letter. “He actively seeks advice from the department staff and faculty about how to best go about the policies in our department.”
The Silver Pen Award honors office/service employees who have demonstrated superior performance while employed at UNL and who have made significant contributions to the university community. The recipient receives a $600 cash award, an engraved silver pen, a framed certificate and a one-year UNOPA membership.
Jacobs was nominated by Dwayne Ball, chair and professor of marketing.
“Michelle runs the day-to-day operations of the department with extreme skill, dedication, and tact,” Ball wrote in the nomination letter. “She has made sacrifices for our department far beyond the call of duty.”
Thomas was nominated by Schindler.
“Susan is willing to step outside of her comfort zone to answer questions, learn new tasks, and be a team player,” Schindler wrote. “Susan posses qualities of a positive attitude, friendliness, loyalty, top-notch skills, willingness to learn new tasks, and being a team player.”
The Floyd S. Oldt Outstanding Staff Award recognizes an outstanding university office/service employee who demonstrates distinguished service and contributions to the campus community. The recipient receives a $1,000 cash award, an engraved plaque and a one-year UNOPA membership.
Schindler was nominated by Susan Thomas, accounting associate with the HAPPI business center.
“Kathy’s ability to think holistically about the program and assist in strategic planning as part of a team,” Thomas wrote. “She has the skills to think about the future while being able to dig in to the details of tasks that need to be completed in the present.”
For more information about UNOPA, click here.
