BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Business Manager Jerry Winans has been recognized by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities with a 2007 Outstanding Service Award, recognizing excellence in financial and facilities management leadership at institutions within the system. The award was presented at the system’s Chief Financial and Facilities Officers meeting in Minneapolis.

“The award was a nice surprise, and I am very happy to accept it,” Winans said.

The awards program, which began in 1997, publicly recognizes the outstanding contributions of the system’s college and university employees who work in finance and facilities management. The Outstanding Service awards are given to individuals who
demonstrated outstanding contributions toward furthering professionalism in financial management.

“Jerry is extremely well respected by our students, faculty, and staff,” BSU Vice President for Finance and Administration Bill Maki said. “He is seen as a go-to person on campus to get answers to just about any question someone may have. He has served several roles on campus outside of what one might expect of a traditional business manager, leading our student activity committee, serving on campus-wide planning and accreditation committes and numerous others. He provides wise counsel to me and to many others on campus.”

Joining Winans as recipients of Outstanding Service awards were Larry Margolis of Inver Hills Community College, Mark Rice of Minnesota State University Moorhead and Gary Adams of Lake Superior College.

Winans is just the second Bemidji State staff member to be recognized by MnSCU since the Chief Financial and Facilities Officers began the awards program in 1997. Maki was also the recipient of the Outstanding Service award for 2006.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities, community colleges, technical colleges and combined community and technical colleges located on 53 campuses across the state. The system serves approximately 242,000 students annually in credit-based courses and another 140,000 in non-credit courses.