May 10
UAS STAFF MEMBER WINS STATEWIDE AWARD

Rita Bowen, assistant to the Dean of Students at the University of Alaska Southeast, is one of three winners of the University of Alaska's Make Students Count award. University President Mark Hamilton started the awards last year to recognize staff who provide outstanding service to students.

"All three of these outstanding university employees were nominated by faculty, fellow staffers and students," Hamilton said. "Day in and day out they do the kind of outstanding work that inspires not only students, but all others who come into contact with them. It's a pleasure to honor them."

Bowen received nominating letters from many UAS co-workers. Elizabeth Schelle, a UAS academic advisor, has worked with Bowen for over six years. "I have been impressed with Rita's compassion and commitment to serving our students. She looks at each one as an individual and goes out of her way to find the resources or services that will make their stay at UAS academically and personally successful."

A Wrangell parent, Diane Ivy-Dahlin, supported Bowen's nomination. "Sending my children away from home for the first time," she said, "I found it a great comfort knowing the University employed such a person."

Karen Waldrip, who advises students on employment, said, "Rita is a role model for care, consideration and exceptional customer service."

"If there's a student in need, Rita seems to materialize to offer assistance," UAS Dean of Student Bruce Gifford said. "Of course, any one of our staff would do the same for a distressed student, except it always seems Rita is first on the scene, first to help."

The other statewide winners were Shelia Chapin, administration assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UAF, and Carol Piser, administrative assistant at the UAA Eielson Air Force Base military education center. Each winners will receive a $1,000 cash award and two vouchers for Alaska Airlines travel.