Outstanding Work Performance Award
The Outstanding Work Performance Award recognizes performance far beyond what is normally expected of an
employee. It includes taking on additional responsibilities or increased workload, accepting and completing special
projects that are not part of the employee’s normal work duties, developing or modifying procedures or exhibiting
behavior that enhances the employee’s workplace. The result is improved effectiveness and efficiency of service offered
by the work unit or the University.
The recipients of the 2013 Outstanding Work Performance Awards are:
Nancy Habermann
Nancy works as the Academic Department Associate in the School of Health Care Professions. Nancy assisted with the
Clinical Laboratory Science accreditation online format for self-study and arranged for on-site visits. She has coordinated
efforts to familiarize new faculty to campus. She assists with electronic media for classroom teaching and meetings with
faculty from off-campus. Nancy also developed an electronic filing system for increasing numbers of students in health
care majors and articulation agreements. She has organized the advising of over 500 students in such a way that students
are advised face-to-face in a timely manner, and that has greatly helped faculty with their time management. Colleagues
say she is a go-getter, a true taskmaster, the go-to person who is able to answer any question, and a tremendous asset to
her department and outstanding ambassador for the university.
Tou Her
Tou works for Facility Services as an academic custodian in the College of Professional Studies. He is described as cheerful
and friendly, always saying hello and asking how people are doing. He takes great pride and ownership of the CPS building,
ensuring floors are vacuumed, garbage cans emptied, offices cleaned, and sidewalks shoveled and salted before most
people even start their workday. If he does have to vacuum while employees are in their office, he is thoughtful and
considerate and always asks first if it is ok. He is always available to help when there is a need. Best of all, Tou sings lovely
songs while he works, spreading cheer to everyone who hears him.
Becky Martin
Becky is a Financial Specialist 4/Budget and Office Manager for the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education (WCEE).
Becky works beyond the expectations of her position by assisting with Search and Screen Committees, volunteering to help
train and/or orient new staff, managing paperwork associated with numerous amendments of the UW-Extension IAA
budget, and helping to facilitate the more than two year process of getting an exhibit case identified, ordered, and
installed, to name a few. She immediately responds to questions and provides pertinent resources to help solve problems;
she tries to provide the “why” behind processes. One colleague describes Becky as “a gem who positively radiates within
the WCEE, CNR, and campus,” and goes on to say, “While some view classified staff in a ‘supporting’ role, we know that
Becky is a driving force behind many of the accomplishments and successes of the WCEE.”
Dave Spranger
Dave works for Facility Services as a custodian. He is said to go above and beyond every day in his job. He has saved the
University thousands of dollars a year with repairs and preventative maintenance he does on the machines, always
thinking of better ways to do things that is a cost savings. His supervisor says he is always willing to work any times
possible, help out at the last minute, and takes great pride in his work. He is described as selfless, taking time to train staff
properly on the machines in order to save the department down the road. He is always busy and proactively finds things to
do, searching out problems and fixing them to keep the department running.
Kathy Stedl
Kathy works in Printing and Design as a Lead Printing Technician. She has performed extra duties by learning off-campus
print buying procedures, the new digital store front and billing software, training others on the new software, and learning
how to run the department in order to provide back-up when the manager is out of the office. Her boss describes her as
always in a jovial mood toward coworkers and clients and having a happy and upbeat attitude with everyone. “Kathy has
become an irreplaceable valued asset to this department and the campus community. She does all this somewhat behind
the scenes with little or no recognition.”