2023 Bender of Twigs

"Ask Stephanie." Those two words, uttered thousands of times over the past 25 years, sum up the impact Stephanie Sauls has had on all who’ve had the good fortune to have her as a colleague. Stephanie's insight and knowledge of the campus, its policies, procedures, its people, and her basic, no-nonsense common sense have made her the go-to person whenever her colleagues aren't sure about a budgeting procedure, a human resources policy, who to contact at the foundation, or just where to start with a proposal.

I met Stephanie in the summer of 2007 when she interviewed for the administrative assistant to the dean position. She was definitely head and shoulders above the rest. At the time, Stephanie was employed as an administrative assistant at the KU School of Medicine. Before that, she spent eight years as a senior administrative assistant for the WSU Conference Office in Continuing Education, where she planned and facilitated many events including History Day and Commencement. We were impressed with her overall knowledge of the campus, and her conference experience was exciting as the University Libraries had plans to expand its public programming. What truly wowed us, though, was how close Stephanie was to completing her WSU bachelor's degree in accounting, a degree she started while working full-time at WSU and being a mother to two growing girls. Here was a person who understood numbers and knew how to multi-task! Stephanie was definitely the person for us.

During her 16 years with the University Libraries, our first impressions were confirmed as Stephanie met and far exceeded our expectations. Her responsibilities continued to grow as she worked with four deans. In addition to working directly with the dean, Stephanie's position requires she work with all other members of the dean's team, work closely with the dean on budgeting state funds, handle the financial activities associated with purchases made using more than 60 library funds established with the WSU Foundation, serve as primary or secondary search coordinator for all staff and faculty library vacancies, serve as the dean’s office manager, carry out the duties of timekeeping reviewer, and many other responsibilities as they arise.

Stephanie is a strong booster for the university and its libraries and takes great pride in the place where she works. She views it as a privilege to work where she is surrounded by students and learning. Stephanie once mentioned to me that the energy and excitement she feels from the students when walking around campus make it seem like a place where magical things can happen.

Congratulations Stephanie on your induction into the honorary order of Bender of Twigs!