Saint Martin's Abbey awards outstanding faculty, staff members

Wednesday, May 9, 2001

Lacey, Wash. - The Saint Martin's Abbey presented one faculty member and one staff member with awards for their outstanding dedication to the college and its students. Faculty, staff, students and members of the abbey all submit nomination forms and a special committee determines the winner.

Amanie Abdelmessih, associate professor of mechanical engineering, was presented with the Outstanding Faculty Award along with $1,500 from the Abbey in recognition of her excellence in the classroom. Abdelmessih, who was nominated by one of her own students, who resides in Olympia, has been teaching with Saint Martin's since 1997.

"I care about my students and truly enjoy working with them," Abdelmessih said. "I think it helps that I tell them to try and do better with their work and I expect the same thing of myself. I am constantly trying to improve on my work."

Josephine Yung, director of the Institute of Pacific Rim Studies, was presented with the Outstanding Staff Award. Yung, who was nominated by her peers, received a reserved parking space and $1,000 from the Abbey. The award recognized her work to strengthen the colleges international student programs and her management of the IPRS program. Yung, who is from Olympia, has been with the IPRS office since 1983.

"I enjoy the opportunity to bridge cultures and connect people--the IPRS program plays an important role in promoting intercultural understanding and broadening the international perspective of our students," Yung said. "It's reward enough to see that we are becoming closer to one another through our appreciation and understanding of each other's culture."

Other staff members nominated for the award, and deserving recognition for the contributions they've made to the college were Mary Law, college registrar; Linda McAuley, budget manager in the finance office; Chuck Minor, custodial supervisor; Gary Mulhall, director of institutional advancement; Todd Abbott, director of admissions; Gretchen Alford, administrative assistant for the office of academic affairs and student services; Carla Jacobs, administrative assistant for the education division; Linda Gersib, compliance coordinator for the athletics department; Julie Thielen, assistant web administrator and information center attendant; Jim Curtis, administrative assistant for the finance office; Burma Patterson, administrative assistant in the president's office; Renee Burden, program specialist in the registrar's office; and Orris Berg, maintenance supervisor.

For more information:
Christina Ramírez-Milhoan, communications specialist
Saint Martin's College Office of Communication
360-438-4541 or cramirez@stmartin.edu