Sandra Ortiz and Gloria Manzanares are the 2008 recipients of the Gerald W. May Award for distinguished service and dedication to the University of New Mexico. They will be recognized at an award ceremony and reception on Monday, Dec. 8, 4-5 p.m. in Student Union Building ballroom C.
UNM President David Schmidly and former UNM Presidents Gerald W. May and F. Chris Garcia will participate in the event. Refreshments and harp music will be provided.
The UNM Staff Council Rewards and Recognition Committee organizes the annual awards. The final award selections are made by the UNM president.
Ortiz, supervisor, administrative support, has stayed with UNM’s Department of Physics and Astronomy for more than 20 years.
“For many years Sandra has been the rock that holds this place together,” said Bernd Bassalleck, chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, in his nomination. “Even when we’re understaffed, she always stays calm and sees to it that the remaining staff provide optimum service to all of us.”
Several nominators said Ortiz has improved many processes to make the office function more effectively. Gary Harrison, facilities services manager in the department, said she recently made a change in how information is entered into Banner so that equipment isn’t paid for until it has been inspected. “It takes some time to determine if expensive lasers have been damaged before arrival to our department. Often there are no outward signs of damage,” he said.
Manzanares, associate director of admissions, Office of Admissions, serves as an ambassador for UNM.
Linda Johansen, manager, Banner Shared Components Team, said in her nomination, “Gloria has often been the first contact that applicants and their families have with UNM. Her calm and cheerful demeanor and extensive knowledge of university offices, policies and systems have helped hundreds, maybe even thousands, of students and families over the year get their questions answered and leave the encounter feeling that someone at UNM cares about them and their situation. Gloria has worked with entire families over the years, as word of mouth spread and people sent their brothers, sisters, cousins and friends to work with ‘that nice lady at UNM.’”
All nominees will be recognized during the award ceremony. They are: John Bach, David Binder, Trevor Blimes, Pug Burge, Barbara Busch, Roberta Chavez, Maria Daw, Bonita Ferus, Pam Hurd-Knief, Mary Jacintha, Maggie June, Sterling Kennedy, LeeAnn Lloyd, Cheryl Mann, Ignacia Fernando Maresma, Hollie Medina, Veroncia Mendez-Cruz, Mary Montano, John-Paul Montoya, Christine Nelson, Bob Notary, Heidi Perea, Cynthia Perez-Chavez, Susan Quintana, Carol Renfro, Naomi Schmierer, Carla Sarracino, Lex Snyder, Lisa Stewart, Clancy Tarbox, Leslie Trickey, Derlene Trujillo, Sue VanCleve, Cynthia Wooten and Acela Yerba.