Custodial employees honored for going 'Above and Beyond'
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
For General Services employees, summer is often the busiest time of the year at Pennsylvania College of Technology. On top of the many projects going on around campus, it is typically the only time they can get in and perform an intensive cleaning of the residence halls.
Because the residence halls are used for different campus events and functions throughout the summer, General Services leadership has the delicate task of making sure they remain operational. This requires a massive amount of coordination to ensure these rooms are prepared for the students to move into them at the beginning of the summer. Much of that work is handled by the college’s second- and third-shift custodial teams.
In an excellent example of a departmental employee recognition program, General Services recently applauded the efforts of two of its management staff for exceptional service and leadership in those efforts. Brian J. Coppadge, second shift, and Ryan P. McAfee, third shift, were each presented with a newly created General Services “Above and Beyond” award.
“Both were recognized for exceptional service to the department by exceeding expectations in the coordination, planning and execution of work related to residence hall turnover for Pre-College Program functions, as well as preparing for residential student move-in during Welcome Weekend,” said Timothy O. Rissel, executive director of general services. “A collaborative team effort allowed for seamless turnover of residential spaces, resulting in a safe and effective living and learning environment for the campus community, while minimizing service interruptions throughout campus.”
General Services leadership is always looking for ways to recognize staff who are living the mission of the department: Dedicated to maintain, enhance and preserve the campus facilities with integrity, professionalism and excellence.
Every week at the director’s meeting, Rissel noted, senior leaders start the meeting by discussing noteworthy accomplishments by the staff in their respective areas. Many staff members have been recognized through personalized discussions, handwritten notes and General Services’ “Coin of Excellence.”
“After discussing the accomplishments of Brian, Ryan and their teams,” he added, “it was decided there is a need to have a higher-level award of recognition to celebrate such a display of teamwork and accomplishment that greatly reflects on the mission, vision and values of Penn College General Services.”
After a short brainstorming session, the “Above and Beyond” award was born. The award was made in-house by members of the General Services team and is adorned with two coins, each displaying one side. The handsome plaques, along with a letter detailing the employees’ accomplishments, were presented to Coppadge and McAfee at a regularly scheduled staff meeting.
The General Services “Coin of Excellence” is a military-style challenge coin.
"It is presented to General Services employees or college employees who are being recognized for upholding the mission – or who greatly partner with General Services staff, allowing us to better service the campus community," Rissel explained.
The coin features the Wildcat on one side and the college seal on the other. Around the college seal are the Greek words for integrity, professionalism and excellence: the three values within the GS mission statement.
Because the residence halls are used for different campus events and functions throughout the summer, General Services leadership has the delicate task of making sure they remain operational. This requires a massive amount of coordination to ensure these rooms are prepared for the students to move into them at the beginning of the summer. Much of that work is handled by the college’s second- and third-shift custodial teams.
In an excellent example of a departmental employee recognition program, General Services recently applauded the efforts of two of its management staff for exceptional service and leadership in those efforts. Brian J. Coppadge, second shift, and Ryan P. McAfee, third shift, were each presented with a newly created General Services “Above and Beyond” award.“Both were recognized for exceptional service to the department by exceeding expectations in the coordination, planning and execution of work related to residence hall turnover for Pre-College Program functions, as well as preparing for residential student move-in during Welcome Weekend,” said Timothy O. Rissel, executive director of general services. “A collaborative team effort allowed for seamless turnover of residential spaces, resulting in a safe and effective living and learning environment for the campus community, while minimizing service interruptions throughout campus.”
General Services leadership is always looking for ways to recognize staff who are living the mission of the department: Dedicated to maintain, enhance and preserve the campus facilities with integrity, professionalism and excellence.
Every week at the director’s meeting, Rissel noted, senior leaders start the meeting by discussing noteworthy accomplishments by the staff in their respective areas. Many staff members have been recognized through personalized discussions, handwritten notes and General Services’ “Coin of Excellence.”
“After discussing the accomplishments of Brian, Ryan and their teams,” he added, “it was decided there is a need to have a higher-level award of recognition to celebrate such a display of teamwork and accomplishment that greatly reflects on the mission, vision and values of Penn College General Services.”
After a short brainstorming session, the “Above and Beyond” award was born. The award was made in-house by members of the General Services team and is adorned with two coins, each displaying one side. The handsome plaques, along with a letter detailing the employees’ accomplishments, were presented to Coppadge and McAfee at a regularly scheduled staff meeting.The General Services “Coin of Excellence” is a military-style challenge coin.
"It is presented to General Services employees or college employees who are being recognized for upholding the mission – or who greatly partner with General Services staff, allowing us to better service the campus community," Rissel explained.
The coin features the Wildcat on one side and the college seal on the other. Around the college seal are the Greek words for integrity, professionalism and excellence: the three values within the GS mission statement.
Photos provided