'Celebrate UC' to Honor Eight Quality Service Award Winners

UC employees are invited to join President Joseph A. Steger at a special event on Wednesday, Oct. 16, to celebrate the university, its world-class achievements and the staff members who help to make it a success.

"Celebrate UC" will gather at Corbett Auditorium at the College-Conservatory of Music. The event, sponsored by UC's Quality Service Initiative, will feature the inaugural presentation of the President's Quality Service Awards, given to up to six individuals and two teams and selected by a committee from among more than 100 nominations.

Individuals winners are:

• Maha Groeber, parking attendant, Parking Services
• William Love, director of building services, Facilities Management
• Clarence McLain, MD, professor, obstetrics and gynecology
• Lisa Ventre, senior photojournalist, Photographic Services
• Steve Smith, custodial worker, Facilities Management
• Danielle Signorile, senior administrative assistant, University College

Team winners are:

• The Moving Crew, Facilities Management Moving Services
• Blackboard/Faculty Technology Resources Center Support Team, Educational IT Services, UCit

"Celebrate UC" begins at 1 p.m. In addition to President Steger, Vice Presidents James R. Tucker and Greg Vehr will address the gathering. To attend, reservations are suggested by Oct. 9. Employees may hold their spot by e-mailing look@uc.edu. Seating is limited.

The event also offers employees a preview of UC's Mascot Mania, the Alumni Association's Bearcat decorating contest modeled after the Big Pig Gig. The adorned mascots will be displayed beginning at 11:30 a.m. Employees will cast votes for "UC's Choice" Mascot and be eligible to win a $400 parking voucher.

"What we're trying to do is promote pride in the university. I think a lot of employees see the university through their single job and what they do," say Tucker, who oversees UC's Quality Service Initiative and is the vice president for Administrative and Business Services. "They sometimes don't see the big picture or understand they are contributing to the success of the university overall each and every day. We also sometimes sell ourselves short. We hope this event will remind employees of the valuable contribution they make and encourage them to feel proud of their employer."

"I think it's important for the institution to let the employees, who are one of our best sales forces, know about some of the great things that are happening here. We have a lot to be proud of," says Vehr, vice president for Governmental Relations and University Communications. "My hope is that Celebrate UC will become an annual event."

The program is expected to last one hour. It will be followed by a reception in the Baur Room at 2 p.m.

Those who cannot attend are invited to watch via streaming media on the Web.

Award criteria