Ira Werger Named UW Staff Employee of First Quarter

Ira Werger is known as an advocate for the improvement of the University of Wyoming campus, with a passion for the safety of all individuals.

Those qualities have earned him UW’s Staff Employee of the First Quarter award.

Werger, the crime prevention officer for the UW Police Department (UWPD), has been with the department for three years. In addition to being a patrol officer, he says he analyzes safety plans for buildings, coordinates with recognized student organizations and observes crime trends to adjust security.

“He not only works to make our department better but is truly passionate about care for others,” says UWPD Detective Kelsey Anderson.

Werger also works closely with the NO MORE campaign, the Dean of Students Office and with ROTC programs as well. Additionally, he volunteers to sit at various tables in the Wyoming Union, says Chad Bade, a nominator and UWPD sergeant.

“Officer Werger works diligently on improving campus safety from both an environmental, prevention and response approach,” says UW Police Chief Mike Samp. “His proactive efforts and outreach with student groups have created positive working relationships and better reporting and communication.”

Werger’s presence on campus to make himself available to all students, staff and employees is a quality praised by all of his nominators.

“He is consistently volunteering for extra duties, dealing with the public on sensitive issues, and treating everyone in the campus community with empathy and professionalism,” Samp says. “He makes the extra effort to ensure issues are resolved in a timely manner and that crime victims receive the treatment and results they deserve.”

Nominator Stephanie Anderson, head of the School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies, had an example of Werger’s work ethic sent to her that proved his integrity and professionalism.

“He was a consummate professional making assessments to ensure that all parties involved were safe, but also that the appropriate responses also were made,” says Anderson’s contact. “He came up with an alternative solution that would work best with his superiors, the dean of students and myself to everybody’s benefit. He also made sure to follow up on the case later on.”

Werger offers a few words of thanks to some people who make his job possible.

“I would like to specifically mention the dispatchers at UWPD who are facilitating our response to emergencies. Without them, we would not be effective at what we do,” Werger says. “I also would like to mention Detective Kelsey Anderson, who has been a great mentor and teammate since I began working.”

A reception honoring Werger is scheduled Thursday, April 26, at 2 p.m. at the UWPD, located at 1426 E. Flint St.

Werger graduated from UW in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Employee of the Quarter nominees can be any UW staff employees, and each must receive three nomination forms from three separate individuals. Nominations must be submitted to the Staff Senate office. The forms are on the web at www.uwyo.edu/staffsenate/employee-of-the-quarter.