Employees Caught in the Act of Service

Published: April 01, 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes

As its inaugural year draws to a close, the PEAK Quality Service program recently recognized the top individual and department whose work over the past semester has preserved the SUU tradition of quality service and sincere concern for its students.

Of the University’s more than 750 faculty and staff members, Brent Jones, career and academic advisor, was awarded SUU’s first Pinnacle Award, an individual accolade honoring the service of one employee that reaches far beyond their job description to serve and motivate others.

Jones was nominated by both colleagues and students for this award.

“Brent thinks of giving not as an obligation but an opportunity, and serving others is simply second nature to him,” said Jones’ colleague, John Gally. “He has positively changed hundreds of students’ lives since he began working at SUU three years ago, and that ripple effect will continue for years to come.”

For his efforts, Jones received a plaque commemorating his service, as well as a $200 award, though his efforts are of a far greater weight. Jones reaches past his required job — giving students direction on what major to choose — by helping each student he works with see their potential and worth. He encourages them to reach higher and helps them map out a plan of action.

Of the award, Jones humbly said, “This is proof that we may not always think that our acts of service make a difference or are being noticed, but whenever we reach out of our way to serve others it makes a positive impact and can completely change a person’s perspective.”

In addition to an individual service award, the PEAK program also conferred its first High Altitude Award to recognize the positive impact of an entire department or office within the campus community that has embodied the SUU spirit of service and cooperation.

The inaugural High Altitude Award was given to the Gerald R. Sherratt Library for its excellence in teaching and assisting students in their varied educational pursuits.

“Our entire team strives to make the Library a place where students and employees can receive help with virtually any question,” said John Eye, dean of Library Services. “We work tirelessly to serve the entire SUU community, and this award empowers us to continue.”

The Library was given a plaque that will be passed from one High Altitude department to the next on a semi-annual basis. The plaque is on display in Library main entrance. Library team members were also awarded an office movie excursion and pizza party, a brief respite for hours of dedicated work in SUU’s favor.

With a refined nomination and selection process after conferring its fall awards, the Quality Service Committee is now soliciting nominations for the Spring 2013 Pinnacle and High Altitude service awards, recognizing excellent service to students, faculty or staff. Service award nominations must be submitted online by April 15 at suu.edu/qualityservice.

Eligible individuals must have been employed by SUU for at least six consecutive months and must not be self-nominated. Student employees are also eligible, as are full-and part-time faculty and staff.

In addition to these more prestigious semi-annual awards, the PEAK Service team runs its Red Handed Service Awards throughout the year. The number of these awards to be conferred is unlimited, as they are designed to recognize any noteworthy act of service. Red Handed submissions to recognize the great service you have witnessed or received may also be submitted online.

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