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Kudos Corner! Highlighting stories of DFA Employee Excellence
Koehne receives CIO Excellence Award
Congratulate our colleagues with a DFA Hurray!

Kudos Corner! Highlighting stories of DFA Employee Excellence

Kudos (noun): /ˈk(y)o͞oˌdäs,ˈk(y)o͞oˌdōs/  - praise and honor received for an achievement

From time to time, our campus partners are so impressed by the work of people in the DFA that they reach out to the leadership team to give a shout-out about their excellent experience. Sometimes the stories reflect work of our team on are big, multi-faceted projects and sometimes they are about more everyday work, but they always involve someone exceeding expectations. (In addition to these external kudos, division employees can use the DFA Hurray! system to share notes of recognition with colleagues.)

We’re sharing the “kudos” stories below as examples of how your division colleagues are putting the DFA guiding principles into action. As you go about your daily work, whatever your specific projects or decision points are, one or more of these principles will be useful to helping you determine the best course of action.

  • Generate effective results through structured and inclusive decision-making.
  • Convey and confirm intent and respect for all OSU community members through communication and engagement that is responsive, clear and transparent.
  • Improve effectiveness and efficiency through process consistency balanced with flexibility.
  • Provide for OSU community members’ success through community safety, support for well-being and respect for all.
  • Ensure the long-term success of the university through proactive stewardship of resources in alignment with OSU’s strategic plan.
  • Balance innovation and compliance through active assessment and management of risk.
  • Remove barriers to success and expand access to services through clearly defined and integrated policies, standards and processes.
  • Improve the satisfaction of OSU community members through empowering employees with appropriately delegated decision-making authority.

Bruce Daley

Bruce Daley, Associate Vice President for UFIO University Facilities, Infrastructure and Operations - Bruce was recognized for his instrumental role in the construction of the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Arts (PRAx). The PRAx executive director highlighted Bruce's exemplary collaboration and precision, saying his approach to the multifaceted challenges of opening a new arts venue has been crucial. Peter noted, "Bruce has been wonderful. He’s clear, collaborative, accurate, and realistic,” and he emphasized Bruce's ability to handle complex situations with a clear and pragmatic approach. 

Bruce’s efforts illustrate how the division is improving the satisfaction of OSU community members through empowering employees with appropriately delegated decision-making authority. Thanks for your excellent contributions, Bruce! 

 

Jennifer Hill

Jennifer Hill, HR Strategic Partner with University of Human Resources - Jennifer’s exceptional human resources experience and her caring support and guidance were noted by a director in the College of Business as she navigated a new leadership role. Jennifer was described as “a great guide” and “an ally I can go to who has expertise and knowledge,” underscoring her invaluable role in providing support and building relationships within the university.  

Jennifer’s work demonstrates how all of us can convey intent and respect for all OSU community members through communication that is responsive, clear and transparent. Excellent work, Jennifer!


Bonny Ray

Bonny Ray, Associate Director of University Human Resources-Benefits - Bonny received a shout-out for her quick action and customer-centric approach. An OSU vice provost recognized Bonny’s efforts to solve a benefits issue with a third-party service supplier by going above and beyond expectations to connect the right individuals to address the problem.

Bonny shows us how we can all improve effectiveness and efficiency when we balance process consistency with flexibility. Phenomenal job, Bonny!  


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Erik Chavez

Erik Chavez, Undergraduate Student Employment Specialist with University Human Resources - A lab manager at the Hatfield Marine Science Center who works with a lot of student employees commended the excellent and friendly UHR student employment team, saying he has been particularly “impressed and grateful” for Erik Chavez and the always-immediate assistance Erik provides.  

 Erik’s example reminds us that everyone in the division can provide for OSU community members’ success through community safety, support for well-being and respect for all. Keep up the great work, Erik! 


Portrait photo

Anne Gillies

Anne Gillies, Search Advocate Program Director with University Human Resources - A program director from another Oregon university recently participated in an OSU search advocate training workshop. He took time to write to appreciate the program’s structure and the foundational knowledge. He commended the way that Anne presents the information, saying he’s “gained all sorts of insight” and feels the program was “deeply beneficial and refreshing.”  

 Anne’s work to reflect OSU’s values in our recruiting processes reminds us that we can generate effective results through structured and inclusive decision-making. Your ongoing contributions are appreciated, Anne!  
Kudos and thank you to everyone featured this quarter’s update! Your work and attitudes are impressive. We appreciate your care and contributions to the OSU community.

Koehne receives CIO Excellence Award

OSU's chief information officer, presents a slate of annual awards to promote a culture of appreciation and recognize exceptional contribution members of the information technology community who exemplify OSU IT's goals.

We're proud that Jennifer Koehne, Procurement Contract Officer with Procurement, Contracts and Materials Management was recognized this year, joining three DFA colleagues who received CIO Excellence Awards last year.

Jennifer Koehne proved to be an excellent and collaborative partner supporting the Administrative Modernization Program (AMP) procurements with 3 requests for proposals and Workday contract negotiations. Her extraordinary service and expert guidance ensured an equitable and inclusive vendor selection process. Jennifer served as an advocate for agreements that benefit the external partners while safeguarding OSU now and into the future. Jennifer’s collaboration and attention to alignment with strategic goals were recognized.

Congratulate our colleagues with a DFA Hurray!

Everyone can use the DFA Hurray! system to send quick notes of gratitude for people across the Division of Finance and Administration who exceed your expectations. When you do, they will receive a thank you email from the Office of the Vice President, with copies to their supervisor and the senior leader for their unit. Each month, DFA Hurray! recipients are entered into a drawing for a prize. I am pleased to share this list of your colleagues who have been recognized over the last six months:

July 2023

William Gardner, Accounts Payable and Travel

Gwen L. Frye, Student Billing and Receiving

Laura Annette Frye, Accounts Payable and Travel

Karen Ahonen, University Business Services

Emma Bramwell, University Human Resources Central

Tracy Elmshaeuser, Senior Associate Vice President of Finance and Administration

August 2023

Shain Panzeri, EPPMO

Katrina L. Robson, Oregon State University Police Department

Jamie Bridenstine, College of Forestry

Christina Saechao, Financial Strategic Services

Cameron Cox, University Facilities, Infrastructure, and operations

Owen Taylor Markley, Finance and Administration Information and Technology

Emma Bramwell, University Human Resources Central

Virginia Kestler, Financial Strategic Services

Alex Sims, Accounts Payable and Travel

Zachary Bishop, Finance and Administration Information and Technology

Morgan E. Hatch, Central Payroll Office

Russel Brown, Finance and Administration Information and Technology

Gregory Balck, University Business Services

Carrie Trant, Capital Planning and Development

Scott Bond, Capital Planning and Development

Scylise Little, Capital Planning and Development

Rebekah Pike, Finance and Administration Information and Technology

September 2023

Scylise Little, Capital Planning and Development

Cole B. Hansen, University Business Services

Katie A. Vorderstrasse, Insurance and Risk Management Services

Andrea Hykes, Community Relations and Administration

Brittney Dawn Dewberry, Accounts Payable and Travel

Christina Fierro, Financial Strategic Services

Christina Saechao, Financial Strategic Services

Courtney Seton, Financial Strategic Services

Gwen L. Frye, Student Billing and Receiving

James Nightengale, Financial Strategic Services

Jonah R. Koerner, Financial Strategic Services

Jonathan Robert Rosa, Financial Strategic Services

Kira Lueck, Community Relations and Administration

Mark A. Nash, Financial Strategic Services

Renee Lyon, Accounts Payable and Travel

Virginia Kestler, Financial Strategic Services

Wenjie Xu, Financial Strategic Services

Dana Ainsworth, Financial Strategic Services

Robert Davis Schellenger, Financial Strategic Services

Natasha M. Gaspar, Financial Strategic Services

Meaghan Alexandra Deitz, Financial Strategic Services

Ethan Monie, Financial Strategic Services

Matt Stoye, Finance and Administration Information and Technology

Paul J. Odenthal, Finance and Administration

October 2023

Melissa Medina, University Human Resources Central

Sandra M. Larsen, Financial Strategic Services

Manmeet Singh Khetarpal, EPPMO

Candice L. Vasallo, University Human Resources Central

Melissa Stuart, Central Payroll Office

Tracy Elmshaeuser, Senior Associate Vice President of Finance and Administration

November 2023

Angel Silkbaron, University Human Resources Central

Christina E.B. Schaaf, University Human Resources Central

Rhonda Thomassen, Controller’s Office Administration

Andrew Cadotte, Finance and Administration Information and Technology

Courtney Seton, Financial Strategic Service

Tricia R. Olson, University Human Resources Central

Stephanie Pearse, Financial Strategic Services

Erica Dodson, Financial Strategic Services

Rebekah Pike, Finance and Administration Information and Technology

Shain Panzeri, EPPMO

December 2023

Rebecca Houghtaling, Capital Planning and Development

Angel Silkbaron, University Human Resources

Katy Lee Ahlvin, University Human Resources Central

January 2024

Ruth Nelson, University Human Resources Central

Lake C. Larsen, Financial Strategic Services

Matt Stoye, Finance and Administration Information and Technology

Kevin Christman, Facilities Operation and Maintenance

Dwight David Brimley, University Business Services
Last Updated: 
02/19/2024