July 30, 2012
Continuous Quality Improvement Awards to be recognized Wednesday
Twelve awards will be given to finalists in four categories at the 2nd Annual Continuous Quality Improvement Awards Luncheon, to be held in the Conference Center Ballroom on Wednesday. All finalists in the categories of Distinguished Teaching Awards, Distinguished Full Professor Awards, Staff Employee of the Year, and Continuous Quality Improvement Team Awards will attend the luncheon to be recognized. As Columbus State readies for Reaffirmation of Accreditation in September, the team projects and individuals being celebrated at the luncheon will take center stage.
For the Distinguished Teaching Awards, faculty members are nominated by their students and reviewed by a committee of peers. Finalists are:
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Reuel Barksdale, Associate Professor, Business Programs
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Henry Bawden, Instructor, Interactive Media
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Amy DiBlasi, Instructor, Business Office Applications
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Jennifer Dragoo, Instructor, Developmental Education
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Christine Evenson, Professor, Interpreter Education Program
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Lydia Gilmore, Assistant professor, Business Management
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Carolyn Kaufman, Associate professor, Psychology
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Theresa Kegley, Instructor, Mathematics
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Jon Lundquist, Associate professor, Interactive Media
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Merideth Sellars, Instructor, Biological Sciences
The Distinguished Full Professor Awards highlight the stellar performances of Columbus State’s finest professors. The finalists are:
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Jeffrey Bates - Environmental Science, Safety and Health
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Robert Fitrakis - Social Sciences
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Thomas Habegger - Sport and Exercise Studies
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Lisa Cerrato - Health Information Management Technology
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James Taylor - Hospitality Management
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Gerald Mueller - Mathematics
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Tom Shanahan - Paralegal Studies
The Staff Employee of the Month Award recognizes those who excel as team players, go above and beyond, and most importantly, make a real difference to the Columbus State community. Finalists for the Staff Employee of the Year are:
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Candice Spangler - Program Coordinator, Curriculum Management
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Joel Mathias – Systems Administrator, Information Technology
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Treschelle Kendrick - Program Coordinator , Human Resources
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Tara Narcross – Supervisor, Transitional Workforce
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Diane Jones - Office Associate, Admissions
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Sabrina Ayers - Office Associate, Student Engagement and Leadership
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Kellie Brennan - Director, Student Life
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Shona Wainwright - Office Associate, Library
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Billy Williams – Coordinator, Public Safety
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James Smithhisler – PC Specialist, IT Support Services
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Linda Reid - Office Associate, Business Programs
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Tori Sims – Coordinator, Financial Aid
Finally, the Continuous Quality Improvement Team Awards recognize groups that have had the most impact on the college by incorporating the values and strategic goals set forth by the Board of Trustees. The finalists are:
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The Colleague Training Team
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The Biggest Learner Team
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The Cougar Challenge 5K Team
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The Generation One Trailblazers Team
Congratulations to all of the finalists in this year’s awards. The winners will be profiled in upcoming issues of Update!
Casino will hire Columbus State grads first for food service
Hollywood Casino Columbus came to Columbus State to announce how it will work with the college to hire and train foodservice workers, giving priority to Columbus State students and graduates. See a video of Friday’s news conference here!
Deadline near for employee fee waivers
The deadline for Employee/Dependent Fee Waivers for Autumn Semester is Wednesday, August 15. A Request for Fee Waiver form must be turned into Human Resources by 4:30 p.m. to guarantee that fee waivers will be processed before late fees are assessed.
You may also pay your fees first and then be reimbursed within 30 days from the start of the semester by completing the Request for Fee Waiver form and submitting an official payment receipt into Human Resources by September 28. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Thompson or call ext.2406.
Theatre Columbus State presents The Good Doctor, starting Wednesday
Neil Simon’s classic comedy is on full display for Theatre Columbus State’s production of The Good Doctor.
The Good Doctor is on stage at Nestor Hall Auditorium from Wednesday, August 1, through Saturday, August 4 at 8:00 p.m. nightly, with a 3:00 p.m. matinee on Thursday, August 2 . Admission is free. See a video preview on CSTV here: http://cstv.cscc.edu/the-good-doctor/.
Global Bridges program to share culture
The Diversity, Study Abroad and TRIO Programs department is seeking a dynamic group of students interested in understanding more about the world and each other while connecting via monthly activities. Over the course of two semesters, Global Bridges plans to explore, expand, and excite in order to build a true Global Bridge in the campus community. Students in the program will meet for three hours per month from September – May, and participate in culture sharing activities, team building events, community service, and participate in the Strive to Make a Difference Symposium at OSU. They will also receive a $100 scholarship for successful completion of the program in May. If you know a student who might benefit from this new program, please have them apply through Vanessa Kumar, International Student Specialist, at 287-5503. The deadline to apply is August 20.
HPC "Train the Trainer" raises SES scholarship funds

After the Train the Trainer fundraiser looking tired but happy are, front from left: Elizabeth Mitchum and Zac Homes, and back row from left: Don Laubenthal, Anne Justice, Mandi Cecil, Dawn Skedell, Tim Davis, Teresa Browning and Jason Apt.
The Sport & Exercise Studies-Human Performance Center “Train the Trainer" fundraiser benefitting the Dr. David W. Litt Scholarship Fund for SES Exercise Science students raised $750 July 26. The event allows HPC clients the opportunity to pay back their personal trainers while paying it forward for Columbus State Sport & Exercise Studies students. Clients scheduled a 30-minute personal training session for a minimum $10 donation.
In the event’s first year, 2008, the SES-HPC raised $475 and the event total has grown yearly. Dr. David Litt died in January, 2008.
"Dr. Litt was a crucial visionary for the Sport & Exercise Studies Exercise Science program,” said Mandy Cecil, HPC coordinator. “His ability to see the future of the exercise science industry helped develop the SES-Human Performance Center year after year."

Kimberly Hall is currently Deputy Chief Counsel in Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office. She will now serve as an advisor to Dr. Harrison as a key member of his leadership team.
Her hard work and dedication earned her the Staff Employee of the Month award, which was given July 5 in a surprise meeting attended by her two departments.

