COB's Technical Team, 2004 President's Quality Service Award Winner

While technology challenges cause frustration in many corners of the world, within the UC College of Business, they have created an opportunity to excel for the college’s "Tech Team."

The team of Mike Emig, Shannon Funk, Michael Hittle, Kevin Kessler and Norman Pearson take on the computing issues within the college and have made many fans because of their know-how, enthusiasm and dedication to service.

"First and foremost, people value the Tech Team for their strong desire for excellence, pushing themselves, their peers and student workers to go the extra mile," says Marianne Lewis, the college’s associate dean for Innovation and Program Development. "The result is an understanding throughout the college that, when a Tech Team member is in charge, the issue will be handled quickly, thoroughly and professionally."

Susan Sadlier, the college’s director of International Programs, says, "They perform with an exceptional level of quality, responsiveness and professionalism in this very challenging, frenetic Internet environment. The promptness, friendliness and reliability of their service are indeed remarkable: they are acutely aware of the sense of powerlessness we have when a technology-related problem occurs, and make us feel that we are their most important client!"

The team has led the college headlong into the challenges (and opportunities) presented by burgeoning fields such as information technology and distance learning. Despite having a large faculty with a wide variety of experience levels with high technology, they have helped the College of Business emerge as one of the leading high-tech environments at UC.

Wayne Hall, UC vice provost for Faculty Development and professor of English and Comparative Literature, has been assisted by the Tech Team on several occasions while working on projects within Lindner Hall. Says Hall: "Their approach to these situations has always been to assume that the need for technology support was an important one, that it required a quick and friendly response, and that they would make it clear that further support was available if needed. They truly exemplify excellence, not just in their support for and service to the College of Business, but to the wider UC community as well."