UW Employees Honored at Staff Recognition Day April 4

Ira Werger, a University of Wyoming Police Department crime prevention officer, was named UW’s outstanding employee of the year during the annual Staff Recognition Day program April 4.

He was named from among four individuals who had been selected for UW’s Outstanding Employee of the Quarter Award that recognizes excellence in the workplace.

Werger has been with the department for three years. In addition to being a patrol officer, Werger analyzes safety plans for buildings, coordinates with recognized student organizations and observes crime trends to adjust security.

More than 200 employees were honored for their years of service and contributions to UW during Staff Recognition Day. Sponsored by the UW Staff Senate, with support from the UW Office of the President, Staff Recognition Day is an annual event honoring the hard-working staff of UW. It provides an opportunity to show all staff members how much they are appreciated for everything they do to keep the main UW campus, and throughout the state, functioning and providing a top-notch educational experience to thousands of students.

“Out of This World” was the theme of the latest event that featured door prizes, entertainment, years of service recognition and awards to the university’s outstanding staff members.

Other staff members honored for their contributions to UW were:

Jodi K. Humphrey Inspirational Staff Award -- Dora Montez, Department of Psychology senior accounting associate.

Meyer Family Outstanding Staff Service Award -- Shannon Person, Library Services supervisor; and Ty Weber, Information Technology client support services technician.

Off-Campus Awards -- Dawn Kiesel, Admissions recruitment and enrollment specialist; and Natalie Pique, Student Educational Opportunity senior project coordinator.

Skilled Trades Award -- Scott Diederich, Preventive Maintenance technician.

Custodian of the Year -- Adele Aldrich, Custodial Services custodian.

True Grit Awards -- Vicki Glantz, American Heritage Center archives specialist; and Laurie Mendick, UW Libraries executive business manager.

All-Star Team Staff Award -- Rebekah Baggerly, office assistant; Cheryl Chesebro, senior office associate; Kara Enyeart, business manager; and Kayleigh Holmes, senior office associate, all from Wyoming Institute for Disabilities.

Unsung Hero Awards -- Tracy Bennett, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences accountant; Judy Johnson, University Counseling Center mental health counselor; Janine Reinhardt, UW Art Museum senior office associate; and Makayla Stewart, LeaRN Synergy and STEP LeaRN Programs manager.

Supervisor of the Year Award -- Ben Rashford, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics chair.

Pete Simpson Golden Gloves Award -- Heather Earl, Facilities Engineering contracts coordinator.