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Alumni Connections: School of Public Affairs, May 2011
Since I have worked at the UCCS School of Public Affairs, faculty and staff have won three amazingly prestigious awards. First Dr. Donald Klingner was awarded the title of Distinguished Professor. Earlier this year, Dr. Terry Schwartz won the Thomas Jefferson Award. In late March still yet another very prestigious award was won by a long time staff member of the UCCS School of Public Affairs: Ms. Mary Lou Kartis was awarded the Service Excellence Award. Many of you know her well because she has been part of the School of Public Affairs for the past 19 years. Everyone that does know her can vouch for her knowledge, her commitment, her passion. I now understand what Dr. Schwartz meant when she talked about the "little school that could!" Despite its size, the UCCS School of Public Affairs is a remarkable school comprised of truly remarkable people. Read more about: Sincerely, Cheri Lee P.S. The book discussion group is meeting this summer. Join us for Whistling Vivaldi. CU Announces $1.5 Billion Fundraising Campaign
The university has raised more than $900 million since the silent phase of the campaign began in July 2006. Major fundraising campaigns typically conduct a silent phase to build momentum and engage key constituents. The public phase will continue until the goal is reached. (More) Science & Engineering Building Now Osborne Center
During an outdoor ceremony, the Science & Engineering Building was renamed the Osborne Center for Science and Engineering. The ceremony featured comments by CU President Bruce Benson, UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak and both Osbornes. But stealing the stage were youngsters from the Family Development Center who performed two songs and presented Mary Osborne with a bouquet. The Family Development Center is one of several campus units benefiting from the Osborne's generosity. (More) Service Excellence Award Recognizes Outstanding Volunteer Service
This honor is presented to one qualified individual from each campus (Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder) and system administration, and includes a $1,000 cash award to be presented at the All Staff Council Conference in the spring. Each of the four recipients is invited to the luncheon, along with his/her nominator, supervisor, and one additional guest. (More) What people wrote about Mary Lou Kartis
What Mary Lou Kartis Does
Communiqué Award Announcement
"It's a great honor," Kartis said. "But I don't think people who serve do it for the awards and surprises." Kartis has worked at UCCS for the past 23 years, the last 19 of which she has spent working in the SPA as one of three members of the school's management team. Kartis's list of responsibilities includes overseeing all of SPA's budget and payroll, course scheduling and academic updates, and acting as the initial point of contact for current and prospective students. (More) Edna Daniels Selected for 2011 Alumni & Friends Award
Edna's work with the SACHS Foundation to promote scholarships for African American students at UCCS has been called extraordinary. She is involved in the selection, mentoring and general support of these students, with an obvious affection for them that underscores her dedication to Beth-El, UCCS and this community. A 1983 alumnus of Beth-El (prior to its merger with UCCS), Edna has made profound contributions to the welfare of Colorado Springs through her professional nursing activities and volunteer efforts. (More) Chill Out this Summer with "Whistling Vivaldi"
Get your brain working, get out of the house, and make new friends. The UCCS School of Public Affairs book club is a great opportunity to keep your brain active during those lazy summer months. It is also a great chance to discuss social issues all around us. Come join us as we delve into a work by Claude Steele, Whistling Vivaldi. (More) |
In This IssueCU Announces $1.5 Billion Fundraising Campaign Science & Engineering Building Now Osborne Center Service Excellence Award Recognizes Outstanding Volunteer Service What People Wrote about Mary Lou Kartis Edna Daniels Selected for 2011 Alumni & Friends Award Chill Out this Summer with "Whistling Vivaldi" Quick LinksUCCS Alumni and Friends Association Update your Contact Information Alumni Benefits and Services Special EventsLooking for a better way to stay connected to upcoming non-alumni events at UCCS? Sign up for the Communiqué RSS Feed to receive timely updates about news and special events at your alma mater. June 4: UCCS / American Heart Association Heart Walk - join our team! June 9: All Colorado Alumni Career Fair June 13: Roar on the Road - San Diego / Orange County, CA Volunteer OpportunityLooking for a way to give back to the Colorado Springs community? Volunteers are needed to help maintain the flower beds and shrubs around the Colorado Springs Senior Center and the Garden Club. Interested? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations for details. Order your UCCS License Plate
Alumni in the NewsThe Colorado Springs Gazette wrote about a UCCS alum in Remembering Maj. Philip Ambard: AFA professor's life full of inspiration. The Glenwood Springs Post Independent wrote about a UCCS alum in Garfield County interviews four finalists for lead county attorney. NaturalNews.com featured an article by a UCCS alum in ADD and ADHD symptoms can be a sign of excess sugar and boredom. The Golf Foundation of Colorado Announces Two Golf Events for 2011The Golf Foundation of Colorado awards partial/renewable scholarships to Colorado high school graduates wanting to attend a PGA Golf Management university programs. To learn about upcoming golf events that support this mission, visit the Golf Foundation of Colorado's website. |
I started as the Outreach/Student Services Specialist at the UCCS School of Public Affairs two years ago. One way I started learning about my job was going through many documents on the computer. In doing this I ran across a PowerPoint document that Terry Schwartz had used in presenting the School of Public Affairs to a local agency. It was about the "little school that could." 
University of Colorado President Bruce Benson recently announced Creating Futures, a $1.5 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign, the most ambitious in university history, which will benefit people, programs and places across CU's four campuses.
The largest building at UCCS was renamed in honor of its largest donors, Ed and Mary Osborne of Colorado Springs.
Each year the University of Colorado Staff Council (UCSC) recognizes and rewards individuals who have provided outstanding volunteer service to their campus, community/civic/professional activities, and the university as a whole through involvement in staff issues, committee work, teamwork, professional development of peers, and community relations.
Mary Lou has a demanding position in SPA, but is never too busy to explain a policy or process to faculty or staff, she willingly demonstrates new systems (sometimes more than once!) and is unfailingly available to students with a question or need. She has volunteered for recruitment events, given her own time to assist in meeting the School's growth goals. Her kind and helpful attitude and actions are part of SPA's excellent retention rates. When our graduate students complete their exit surveys, May Lou is regularly commended for the positive impacts she has had during their time in our program. The phrase, "it's not part of my job" is not in Mary Lou's vocabulary. She is an exemplar of positive customer service across the campus. (
With laughter, team spirit, commitment, dedication, perfection, Mary Lou:
Mary Lou Kartis, assistant to the dean, School of Public Affairs, received the annual Service Excellence Award for her contributions to UCCS.
Edna Daniels, chair, Board of Directors for the Community Partnership for Child Development, has volunteered and served professionally far beyond the environment of the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the UCCS campus.
Starting to feel like you are wasting away your summer with television reruns, working the same old routines or sitting around at home all day? Join us for our book discussion group!
