Exemplary service to be recognized at Shocker Pride Picnic May 2
By Carmen Hytche
 In special collections, Mary Nelson is noted for giving outstanding help to everyone from seasoned researchers to eighth-graders working on history projects. |
Nine WSU faculty and staff members will be recognized for exemplary service to WSU during the Shocker Pride Picnic May 2.
University faculty and staff are invited to congratulate Jim Conley, Dorothy Billings, Sally Fiscus, Phyllis Jacobs, Mary Nelson, Ben Rogers, Doug Sharp and Darrell Smith as they receive the President’s Awards for Distinguished Service. Charli Frederick will receive the Wayne Carlisle Award for Distinguished Service.
Conley, custodial supervisor, was nominated by the Office of University Conferences and Becky Anderson, Hughes Metropolitan Complex facility manager. Conley is often called upon to come in early, stay late and work weekends to accommodate the many events at the complex.
 Anthropology faculty member Dorothy Billings believes in the old adage that it is good to discomfort the comfortable if justice is to be served. |
He is also appreciated for taking the initiative to check on event arrangements and is wonderful at taking care of last minute complications, Anderson said. He sees to every detail and responds to any request with, "I’ll take care of it."
Trisha Self, director of the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, now located in the complex, said Conley is never too busy to come to her staff’s aid, and they recognize him as a source of information and support.
"His tremendous work ethic and congenial personality have made him a well-respected and appreciated individual in this building," Anderson said.
 Charli Frederick of the Media Resources Center is an active volunteer with numerous university groups, including the Wichita Radio Reading Service and the Council for University Women. She is receiving the Wayne Carlisle Award for Distinguished Service. |
Billings, associate professor of anthropology, was nominated by Dwight Murphey, a business faculty member.
She believes deeply in the ideals of community, mutual service and public life, and she acts on her principles, Murphey said. She is a member of the local NAACP and officer of the Global Learning Center, a local organization fostering international understanding.
Billings believes in the old adage that it is good to discomfort the comfortable if justice is to be served. It is noted in her nomination that for many colleagues, she has been a voice of conscience on more than one occasion. Not everyone embraces every cause she champions, but even her opponents often remark on the importance of the role she plays in the community.
 Doug Sharp, a business faculty member for 31 years, stands on the steps of Clinton Hall, which houses the W. Frank Barton School of Business. As dean of the business school from 1977-90, he oversaw a lot of the changes that are now hallmarks of Kansas’ largest business school. |
"She has shown the courage of her convictions and a willingness to speak for those convictions," said Murphey.
Fiscus, records manager for the College of Engineering, was nominated by Walter Horn, chair and professor of aerospace engineering.
She is in constant contact with students who consider her a lifeline to understanding enrollment and graduation requirements. Fiscus is described as dependable and detail-oriented.
Her campus activities include organizing the scholarship bash for the Council of University Women, being a WSU ambassador at the Kansas State Fair and serving as president of the Classified Senate last year. She manages her full-time job, university activities, the details of family and personal life, and her classes in pursuit of a degree with a consistently cheerful and upbeat attitude.
 As student records manager, Sally Fiscus is in constant contact with engineering students who consider her a lifeline to understanding enrollment and graduation requirements. |
Everett Johnson, chair and professor of electrical and computer engineering, said students consider Fiscus an advocate.
"In a frequently high pressure position and dealing with many students each day, Ms. Fiscus has developed a relationship with students where many request her as an adviser in place of a faculty member," Johnson said.
Frederick, director of media services, was nominated by Rosa Diaz-Mulryan, director of university publications and advertising. Frederick has served WSU for 17 years. She is described as an individual whose dedication to the community and the workplace surpasses that of the 8-to-5 employee. She has high standards for the projects and services she provides to campus clients.
Frederick has served with numerous campus organizations in different capacities. She served as vice president and president of the Council of University Women and editor of the University Dames newsletter. She has been a volunteer with the Wichita Radio Reading Service for 10 years and has often helped with KMUW’s pledge drives.
 As part of her job as an instructor in the School of Nursing, Phyllis Jacobs visits nursing students at clinical sites throughout Wichita. |
Her volunteer commitments extend to judging media competitions for the Kansas Scholastic Press Association, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and Women in Communications Inc.
"I truly value her knowledge, insights, and experience, and above all, her dedication to continual progress for WSU," Diaz-Mulryan said.
Jacobs, nominated by Naomi Werne, is an instructor and clinical educator in the School of Nursing. She also serves as director of the undergraduate curriculum.
She has held leadership positions at the department, college and university level. In addition, she represents the university in the community through involvement in Soroptimist International of Wichita, Victory in the Valley and mental health groups.
 Jim Conley, custodial supervisor, is often called upon to come in early, stay late and work weekends to accommodate the heavy event schedule at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex. |
When Werne, also an instructor, was seriously ill, Jacobs accepted all the responsibility for her teaching load and made frequent trips to the hospital without complaint.
More recently, during the illness and subsequent death of her 24-year-old son, Jacobs balanced time spent with her son and family with her commitment and responsibilities at WSU.
"We all had the opportunity to learn from Phyllis and her family what end-of-life decisions, letting go of a loved one, utilizing family love and spiritual faith can all do to help us accept the unfathomable," Werne said.
Nelson, special collections library assistant, was nominated by Michael Kelly, associate professor and curator of special collections.
Noted for her pleasant disposition, she gives the highest level of service to all, whether to a seasoned researcher or eighth-graders doing a History Day project, Kelly said. Her quality of service extends to those who are unable to visit the campus and contact the department through correspondence, telephone, or e-mail. Nelson also helps faculty members locate and select primary resources for use in their classes.
 Ben Rogers is recognized for being a mentor and role model to fellow faculty. |
She also maintains and develops the department Web site.
"Mary serves as an excellent ambassador representing WSU and Ablah Library everyday. This level of service and dedication is priceless," Kelly said.
Rogers, associate professor of philosophy, was nominated by David Soles, associate professor and chair of philosophy.
Rogers served on numerous departmental and university committees. He takes service responsibilities seriously and makes contributions to whatever task is being addressed.
He is also active in professional service, frequently refereeing papers for journals and professional meetings. He served on executive committees for the Kansas Philosophical Society and the Mountain/Plains Philosophical Society.
Soles believes Rogers’ most important contribution to WSU is hard to quantify.
"Ben has been a role model and mentor to a couple of generations of faculty. Ben showed us what it meant to be a faculty member dedicated to the highest ideals of learning and education. I am not the only one, but I know I am a much better teacher, scholar and university citizen because of Ben’s influence," Soles said.
Sharp, associate professor of accountancy, was nominated by Steve Harrast, assistant professor of accountancy.
It is noted that Sharp inspires students and encourages faculty. He is a leader and advocate of technology in the curriculum.
Sharp is relied upon for sage advice and good counsel on matters of delicacy. Particularly appreciated is his ability to see through all the nonsense surrounding a situation and focus everyone’s attention on the essential points, Harrast said.
He returned to teaching full time in 1990 after a stint as the business school dean and was named director of the School of Accountancy in 1997. Sharp plans to retire this spring after 31 years at WSU.
Smith, Physical Plant director, was nominated by Woody DePontier, also of the Physical Plant.
Smith has 32 years of service to WSU. He is described as dedicated, loyal and hard working with a positive attitude ready to serve WSU.
Criticism comes easy when one’s work environment is "too cold," "too hot," or "something doesn’t work right," and Smith gets these calls on a regular basis. There has never been a call, whether in the middle of the night or early in the morning, where he did not respond promptly and been the first on the scene, DePontier said.
"His ability to work and relate with such a diverse group of people, from laborers to administrators, is characteristic of his nature to get the job done," said DePontier.
Editor’s Note: A photograph of Darrell Smith was unavailable by press time.
