Butler Named Employee of the Semester

VALDOSTA - Wendy Butler, senior secretary for the OASIS Center for Advising and First Year Programs, was named the Spring 2008 Employee of the Semester by the Council on Staff Affairs, at a breakfast meeting held Tuesday, March 11, in the University Center Cypress Room.

Nominated for her superb organizational skills, cooperative personality and inspirational leadership, Butler is considered “the glue that binds her department together,” by OASIS Director Pat Burns and fellow staff members. This is a powerful statement considering the department serves 1,400 students.

“She has established a culture of excellence in our department,” Burns said. “She has become a mentor to many of the students we serve and she is an inspiration to every individual in this department.”

The Ohio native has been a Valdosta resident since 2000, when she began working with OASIS as a student assistant. When she took the secretarial job in September 2006, she accepted the responsibilities of graduate and student assistant supervision, OASIS faculty and staff support, and daily administrative affairs, including budget, payroll, travel and work schedules. Although not explicitly designated in her job description, she goes out of her way to make a positive impact on students and other departmental members.

“One encouraging word spoken can carry another through a lifetime,” she said.

Butler said her favorite part of the job is hearing success stories from students whose lives have been positively affected. While she is sad to see the students leave, she feels pride as they move on to bigger and better opportunities.

With a background in customer service and campus excellence as well as military training, Butler strives for excellence at her job and in her studies, as she works toward a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Special Education. OASIS Assistant Director Shirley McClain said she has witnessed Butler’s genuine commitment to her responsibilities and her concern for professional growth and development. These qualities, along with many others, have propelled her toward excellence.

Happily married for 17 years, Butler has three daughters and loves music, yard work and traveling. She credits her success to “the Lord - her enabler” and the amazing team leaders that surround her with support and encouragement.

As Employee of the Semester, Butler received a $100 prize, a special parking decal for one semester and recognition on the Employee of the Semester plaque, which is displayed in the President’s Office. Runners-up include Patricia Stone, Modern and Classical Languages, Marty Spells, Campus recreation and Dan Coody, Facilities Planning.

For more information about the COSA Employee of the Semester program, please e-mail Robin Smith at robsmith@valdosta.edu .