Yesterday’s Work+Life Manager/Supervisor Award ceremony at the SUB ballroom was standing room only for the second consecutive year. The annual event is co-sponsored by the Department of Human Resources and the Staff Council Work+Life Committee.
The awards committee received 75 nominations hailing the management practices of 30 of UNM's managers and supervisors. Babs Baker, department administrator in the College of Fine Arts Department of Art and Art History, was announced the victor. Associate Vice President for Human Resources Susan Carkeek presented Baker with the spoils – an engraved plaque and $1,000 award. Guests honored Baker with a standing ovation.
“I always believed that managers work for the employees they supervise,” Baker said, accepting the award that recognizes managers and supervisors who foster a work environment that assists faculty and staff in balancing personal and UNM responsibilities.
A 24-year employee of art and art history, Baker is noted for promoting flextime, employee exercise programs and career development. The award was created with Baker in mind, a nominator said.
Another nominator wrote: “She is an athlete, a gardener, an artist and a community servant who has been unrelenting in promoting better lifestyle choices for her staff.”
A coworker wrote, “Overall, Babs realizes that it’s in the department’s best interest to have a staff full of healthy, happy, and fulfilled employees.”
The 2005 work+life award nominees are: Adriana Aceves, Mathematics and Statistics; Ralph Alires, Physical Plant; Alexander Aller, Parking and Transportation; Jim Anderson, Banking, Taxation & Investments; Elizabeth Barton, Admissions; John Brandt, Cancer Research & Treatment Center; Julie Bustamante, College of Arts & Sciences; Denise Corcoran, Extended University; Veronica Mendez-Cruz, El Centro de la Raza; Ron Darling, Health Sciences Library; James W. Davis, Division of Government Research; Dr. William Gannon, Animal Care & Compliance; Danita Gomez, Evening and Weekend Programs; Andy Gutierrez,CIRT/AIS; Judith Liddell, Center for Development & Disability; Sandra Carter-Mayes, CIRT; Dr. Martha McGrew, Family and Community Medicine; Susan McKinsey, Communication and Marketing; Linda Miller, CIRT; Douglas Nelson, General Accounting; Lorraine Parker, Department of Neurology; Catherine Penick, Human Research Protections; Marie St. Claire, Anesthesiology; Mimi Swanson, Human Resources; Bret Tallent, SOM Office of Research; Annie Verchick, Telecommunications; Chelsa Walker, Physics & Astronomy; Kevin Wiley, Health Sciences Library and Dr. Robert Williams, RIOS Net.
Contact: Laurie Mellas, (505) 277-5915