Bemidji State University recognized 68 employees with 970 combined years of service, four faculty members who have been granted emeriti status and winners of the university’s inaugural Awards of Excellence at its annual Employee Recognition Celebration April 27.

BSU’s Awards of Excellence include the Spirit of BSU Awards, Outstanding Contribution Award, Excellence in Teaching Award and Distinguished Service Award.

The Spirit of BSU Award recognizes individuals or teams whose positive attitude and infectious enthusiasm embody the Spirit of BSU through active support of students, student-athletes, coworkers and community members.

The Outstanding Contribution Award is given to an individual who has gone above and beyond expectations to contribute in areas of student success, civic engagement, diversity, sustainability and/or public service.

The Excellence in Teaching Award is given to a faculty member who has demonstrated teaching excellence through evidence of exceptional learning outcomes and quality student advising.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a faculty or staff member who has been at BSU for at least five years with an ongoing record of superlative performance and professional excellence combined with significant personal impact in the areas of student success, civic engagement, diversity, sustainability and/or public service.

• Spirit of BSU Award (individual) – Diane Renken, administrative and technical specialist in the Office of Admissions
• Spirit of BSU Award (team) – The Student Achievement Conference planning committee, under the direction of Dr. Mahmoud Al-Odeh, associate professor of technology, art and design.
• Outstanding Contribution Award – Bill Blackwell, Jr., executive director, American Indian Resource Center.
• Excellence in Teaching Award – Dr. Glen Richgels, professor emeritus of mathematics.
• Distinguished Service Award – Dr. Sandra Kranz, professor of accountancy.

Years of Service

• 40 years of service – Roger Paskvan, professor of integrated media.

• 35 years of service – Jean Lanners, office and administrative specialist for Finance & Administration; Richard Marsolek, environmental health and safety officer.

• 30 years of service – Gwen Bailey, assistant director of financial aid; Barb Eriksson-Capes, director of health services and nurse practitioner, Student Center for Health and Counseling; Belinda Lindell, director of procurement and logistics; Richard Moen, building maintenance supervisor; Dr. M.C. Morgan, professor of English; Rita Vincent, administrative specialist, Central Receiving.

• 25 years of service – Kierstin Hoven, director of campus recreation; Dr. Patrick Donnay, professor of political science.

• 20 years of service – Melissa Arneson, technical support analyst; Lori Deering, office and administrative specialist, departments of accountancy and business administration; Dr. Eric Forsyth, professor of human performance, sport and health; Stephanie Hendricks, office and administrative specialist, American Indian Resource Center; Deb Hovland, accounting technician, Business Services; Rich Jahner, associate professor of human performance, sport and health, assistant football coach; Mark Johnson, painter, Physical Plant; Mike Smith, network manager, Programming, Network & Servers.

• 15 years of service – Andy Bartlett, associate director of communications and marketing; Dr. Tim Brockman, professor of technology, art & design; Crystal Cleven, assistant professor of TRIO/Student Support Services; Dr. Lauren Cobb, professor of English; Kris Engesather, programmer, Programming, Network & Servers; Dr. Todd Frauenholtz, professor of mathematics and computer science; Dr. Debbie Guelda, professor of biology; Christopher Haley, Printing Services supervisor; Nancy Haugen, associate director of career services; Laura Holm, office and administrative specialist, Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex; Lynn Johnson, director of distance learning, Center for Extended Learning; Dr. Mark Lawrence, professor of geography; Dr. Keith Marek, professor of chemistry; Sharon Olson, account clerk senior, Cashiers Office; Debbie Slough, office and administrative specialist, Intercollegiate Athletics; Troy Solo, administrative specialist, Printing Services; Kris Williams, coordinator of industrial training, Optivation.

• 10 years of service – Molly Aitken-Julin, director of internships and employer relations, Career Services; James Bronczyk, stationary engineer relief, Physical Plant; Dr. Stephen Carlson, professor of music; Maureen Gibbon, professor of English; Mike Kruse, electronics technician senior, Physical Plant; Dr. David Massaglia, assistant professor of accountancy; Dianne Narum, assistant professor of library and library science; Dr. Carla Norris-Raynbird, associate professor of sociology, gender and women’s studies; Kelli Steggall, director of TRIO McNair/Student Support Services and Upward Bound; Shane Veenker, Dr. James White, professor of human performance, sport and health.

• 5 years of service – Dr. Valica Boudry, associate professor of integrated media; Eric Carlson, head women’s golf coach, Intercollegiate Athletics; Jackie Carroll, office and administrative specialist, Office of the President; Beverly Dahlgren, administrative specialist, College of Arts & Sciences; Maria Eastman, customer service specialist, Disability Services; Scott Faust, director of communications and marketing; Amber Fryklund, assistant women’s ice hockey coach, Intercollegiate Athletics; Mary Gish, accounting supervisor, Business Services; Cherish Hagen-Swanson, director, International Program Center; Monte Hegg, accounting officer, Accounting Services; Rebekah Hessenger, assistant trainer, Intercollegiate Athletics; Arthur Kern, general maintenance worker, Physical Plant; Teresa LaFriniere, office and administrative specialist, Department of Professional Education; Dr. Michael Murray, associate professor of economics; Dr. Francois Neville, assistant professor of mathematics and computer science; Zach Olson, academic coordinator, TRIO/Upward Bound; Scott Pula, campus security officer, Public Safety; Rick Supinski, head softball coach, Intercollegiate Athletics; Dave Towley, assistant professor of technology, art & design; Dr. Janine Wahl, associate professor of professional education; Linda Wolf, management analyst, TRIO/Student Support Services.

Retirements

Michael Hellmann, 39 years; Jon Utley, 35 years; Diane Morris, 27 years; Christopher Brown, 31 years; Danny Statton, 29 years; Dennis Noska, 13.5 years; Dr. Mary Ward, 8.5 years.

Emeriti Faculty

• Dr. Dwight Fultz, professor emeritus of psychology, 28 years
• Dr. Glen Richgels, professor emeritus of mathematics and computer science, 24 years
• Ms. Patrice Conely, professor emerita of library and library services, 22.5 years
• Dr. Blanca Rivera, professor emerita of languages and ethnic studies, 17 years