Two Fredonia staffers, Julie Sticek and Diana Beckwith, were recognized for “a job well done” at the Fall 2016 Secretarial/Clerical Conference recently held at the College Lodge.
Ms. Sticek, secretary in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), received the Barbara Saletta Meritorious Service Award, which recognizes a secretarial or clerical employee with an outstanding service attitude. Ms. Beckwith, of the Office of Admissions, received the Poummit Secretarial Award, named in honor of Janet Marks, a former secretary to the Fredonia president.
After her initial appointment as Calculations Clerk 2 in Student Accounts in 2007, which was followed by a one-year placement as Secretary 1 in the Department of Biology, Sticek was tabbed to serve as the first secretary of the new College of Visual and Performing Arts, which encompasses the School of Music, the Department of Theatre and Dance, Department of Visual Arts and New Media, Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center and Marion Art Gallery.
“Many of the processes we have put in place over the past three years are new, and I can say with confidence that we could not have done them without Julie,” said Ralph Blasting, dean of the CVAP. “She has contributed not only competence but also foresight, creativity, a truly collaborative spirit and an impeccable work ethic and integrity.”
Sticek is known for going out of her way to help others, as demonstrated by her consistent focus on service.
“In any interaction with students, staff, faculty or administrators, her first concern is getting the person what he or she needs as quickly as possible. Her interpersonal style is always – and I do mean always – welcoming, attentive and respective,” Dean Blasting explained.
Sticek assists students with their needs, makes travel arrangements for the Provost’s office, has served as a liaison for vendors, and initiated monthly meetings of all secretarial staff in CVPA to share best practices and concerns.
Creativity and resourcefulness are utilized by Sticek in handling every challenge, Blasting noted. Sticek also provides administrative support for the chairs and directors of the CVPA and has created a sense of teamwork among those who report directly to the CVPA dean.
Ms. Beckwith, an Office Assistant 1 in Admissions since 2013, is charged with daily importing and indexing of thousands of documents, but she’s also dedicated to helping Admissions run smoothly by answering telephones and greeting visitors as needed.
Beckwith has what has been described as the Herculean task in the application process of matching records – sent either physically or electronically – to a prospective student and his/her application. She works extensively with Banner and Onbase scanning systems.
David Steiner, her supervisor, says Beckwith is “very much a team player.” When a clerical vacancy occurred, Beckwith learned new job duties and covered other tasks while still taking care of her primary responsibilities.
“Diana is a very hard working individual. She is very diligent about making sure her work is done on time or even before it is expected to be done. She is constantly contacting others to be sure they have what they need and to make sure things are done according to policy,” Mr. Steiner said.
Beckwith has been instrumental in the scanning process and accurate documentation of all applicant materials, and has helped train other members of the President’s Office, the Educational Development Program and Financial Aid office on proper document scanning and indexing. It was noted that a strong work ethic has enabled Beckwith to get documents into applications quickly and efficiently so students can receive quick admissions decisions.
Both awards were established through the Fredonia College Foundation to honor secretarial/clerical staff members for an outstanding service attitude, creativity, resourcefulness, demonstrated team effort and personal integrity and leadership. Recipients received a framed certificate and monetary award.
