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Show Weber ry Comment, Fall 1990 4 18 staff members receive development awards Eighteen staff members at WSC recently received staff development awards totalling $25,000 to develop programs or engage in other activities which enrich college staff lish a 1pus. ich was members. The 18 were selected from a large number of applicants by a 10-member committee. “Our mission is educating students, but we cannot do that without our support personnel,” said Dr. Allen F. Simkins, interim president. ‘ical ctor “Both faculty and staff roles are important, but too often we neglect the staff side. This recognizes the need for development on that side of the institution as well,” Dr. Simkins said. The financial awards encourage experimentation, training and the development of programs that will benefit the institution and, ultimately, the kind of education students receive, he said. “During the centennial when we geared up to provide additional funds to encourage faculty growth we also felt the need to recognize the critical role staff members play in the education of our students,” Dr. Simkins said. The $25,000 allocated for this year will be repeated in the coming years, he said. Recipients of the first-year program are: Sherry Burkes, coordinator of the Women’s Educational Resource Center, received $2,400 to sponsor a number of mic >ctor pa- ad or it. ents. liam 7” Sill ough that ~ y to yan ig ike ; felt State collective emotional state in a carved message on a campus restroom stall. It read: “This is the only place at the Harvard Business School where I really know what I’m doing.” I decided to attend graduate school and then try out in the N.B.A. after graduate school, just as Bill Bradley did. He went to Oxford and then tried out for the New York Knicks. The only difference is that, after a two-year layoff, unlike Bill Bradley, I didn’t make the team. But the value of goals is that you’re a better person for having strived for that impossible dream even if you don’t make it. I was a much better college ball player than I would have been if I hadn’t set a goal to play in the N.B.A. And even if I hadn’t been accepted at Harvard, I was a much better student at Weber State because of that goal. Now, I’ve mentioned luck several times. There are often opportunities and positions conferences designed to increase leadership skills, teach problem-solving methods and promote cooperation among WSC student services employees. Dr. Alan Dayley of the Adult Educational Resource Center, received $1,000 to attend a national conference in South Carolina. Richard O. Effiong, director of the WSC financial aids department, received $500 to develop video tapes for staff training on microcomputers. Pamela Fritch of the payroll office received $1,200 to attend a conference relative to the computer system used by the college payroll office. Karen Garcia and Diane Woodcock from Weber State’s educational support programs received $600 to host support workshops for secretaries in the student development area. The workshops cover such topics as project management skills, organizational skills, and other job-related information. Judy Glommen and Elaine Francis of the campus recreational department received $2,950 to purchase computer training systems for use by all college staff and to attend a professional management school. Drs. J.J. Fussell and Adeal Holbrook of the counseling and psychological services center received $4,476 to attend a seven-day national conference at Harvard Medical School. ; Stan Greenhalgh of human resources an Eric Jacobson of computing services received $3,000 to develop a certification that come our way that are not sought or planned for. The truth is that few opportunities ever come our way that we are not prepared for. But timing and luck do have something to do with success. I'll always remember what Coach Motta said about luck in winning basketball games. He said, “Sure, I believe in luck, but the harder I work, the luckier I get.” In most successes and in all achievements, there are some common basic principles: Realize your potential — that you can become whatever you want to be. And set high goals — dream impossible dreams and act as if you can do it. These are prerequisites of success. However, there are additional ingredients that are essential if success is to be achieved. Again, to quote Sterling W. Sill, “Much of success is being able to follow directions. We may succeed by formula. Science is merely a collection of successful formulas. A sick patient follows a prescription. A builder follows a blueprint. A businessman | follows definite rules and standards. In each profession, there are ingredients of preparation, education and specific experiences that should be included in your formula that will significantly increase your probability of success.” But a formula, once developed, is no good unless it is followed. Many people are not willing to pay the price to be successful. Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the woman, who, after hearing the music of a great violinist, said, “I would give half my life to be able to play like that.” The violinist replied, “Madam, that is exactly what I have given.” And, that is what everyone must be prepared to give. In pursuit of goals, there will be detours. Everyone has temporary failures. How we training program for all staff in areas of computer use. Robert King, WSC instructional technology, received $400 to host a series of time-management training seminars. Jeff Morris of the physically challenged department was given $2,000 to attend the International Conference on Deaf Education to be held in London. Destry Labrum of the college’s physical plant received $900 to attend a four-day seminar in Salt Lake City designed to promote campus air conditioning savings and improvements. Cory Lyman, of the counseling and psychological services department, was awarded $694 to attend a series of training sessions designed to improve group therapy skills. JoAnn Reynolds of the School of Social Sciences, received $300 to develop workshop seminars for the School of Social Sciences designed to increase computer efficiency with word processors. Dennis Kirby of the physical plant, was given $3,375 to attend a specialized training course designed to decrease utility costs while improving centralized office environmental controls. Carol Smith, of honors and integrated studies, was awarded $1,134 to attend a national conference on developing and fostering partnerships between public schools and higher education. deal with these detours often determines our ultimate success. We cannot let setbacks get the best of us. Thomas Edison put failure in what I consider to be the right, if you’ll excuse the expression, light. He was trying to find the long-burning filament to make his light bulb areality. After many months of trying various combinations, associates advised him to admit failure. He said, “I haven’t failed, I’ve succeeded. I’ve eliminated a thousand filaments that won’t work.” Each of us must rise above our temporary setbacks and be persistent in pursuing our goals. Within each is the potential to succeed. May I close with one additional thought. The world needs educated, competent leaders. Achievement and success often place one in a position to be highly influential. But in pursuit of their own goals, many in our society have forgotten what is most important. The recent cover of Time magazine carries the title, “Whatever Happened to Ethics?” It goes on to say, “Assaulted by sleaze, scandals and hypocrisy, America searches for its moral bearings.” In this day of insider trading, greed, deceit, and dishonesty, what the world needs more than anything else is men and women with high personal integrity and uncompromising honesty. My message is clear and simple: Never minimize your potential. Set high goals. Dream impossible dreams. Act and work as if you can do whatever you set out to do. Develop a formula that includes the key ingredients for your chosen profession. Be persistent. Above all, have your priorities right, and be men and women of strong character and high personal integrity. |