Hogue honored with Support Staff Award

It's amazing how a last minute change can alter life's path. As a student, Chris Hogue, laboratory supervisor in the Chemistry Department, planned to attend another university when a last minute financial aid mishap made him reconsider. He decided to visit USI and fell in love with the Chemistry Department and what it offered. He enrolled as a chemistry major and became a student worker in the laboratory stockroom. The experience paid off.

During his last semester, the laboratory supervisor position opened and he applied. He's glad he did. This year, Hogue is celebrating an employment milestone of 15 years and is  the 2014 recipient of the Staff Council's Support Staff Performance Recognition Award. "I was already riding a little bit of a high knowing I've been doing this for 15 years," he said. "Then, when I won, I thought how do I even express my appreciation to everybody? It was a great moment, great experience and I'm really grateful."

Hogue plays a pivotal role in the department, ordering and maintaining the inventory required for chemistry lab courses, working with faculty on program development, training student workers on lab maintenance, and teaming with Risk Management to confirm safety standards and meet federal and state regulations. He also sits on the University Safety Committee, which handles University-wide safety concerns.

He enjoys the cross-collaboration with co-workers and especially appreciates the opportunity to train student workers, who Hogue says "are some of the most amazing people I've ever worked with." He hires many of them to work in the stockroom when they are freshmen or sophomores. "By the time they're graduating, a lot of these kids become like a second family," he said.

His efforts also are key to students taking chemistry courses. "Though students may not realize it, the effort of Chris Hogue is a significant part of their experience in each USI chemistry lab," said Dr. Mark Krahling, associate dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. He orders the reagents and supplies, prepares materials so that experiments work predictably, and ensures proper disposal after completion of experiments. "Chris does all of this each week for the hundreds of students enrolled in chemistry lab courses," said Krahling.

Hogue's reach extends beyond the campus, benefiting various University outreach projects. "He does an excellent job assisting the Chemistry Department with its many outreach activities including chemistry demonstrations, National Chemistry Week activities, merit badge programs for Boy and Girl Scouts, and the Helfrich Park STEM Academy," said Dr. Jeff Seyler, chair of the Chemistry Department. "We couldn't accomplish all this without his help and are indebted to his service."

The recognition award is given annually to support staff who are nominated and meet the following criteria: provides superior service, demonstrates excellence in the performance of job duties and responsibilities, continually contributes to a positive, collaborative work environment, and exhibits exceptional resourcefulness, innovation or creativity.

During the Employee Recognition Luncheon for support staff, many other USI employees were recognized and celebrated for reaching milestones. Those include:

5 years:

• Danielle Artis, senior administrative assistant, Development
• Yvonne Beavin, administrative associate, College of Nursing and Health Professions
• Cynthia Braker, administrative assistant, Admission
• Gloria Butz, laboratory supervisor, Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education
• Angela Lloyd, senior administrative assistant, Occupational Therapy
• Amanda Mitchell, cashier II, Bursar's Office
• Patrick Munchel, lead grounds maintenance worker, Physical Plant
• Juanita Musich, senior administrative associate, President's Office
• Naomi Ruder, administrative assistant, College of Liberal Arts
• Andrea Sinnett, administrative associate, Outreach and Engagement
• Linda Taylor, custodial worker, Physical Plant
• Betty Tenhumberg, custodial worker, Physical Plant
• Joshua Thomas, public safety sergeant, Public Safety
• Susan Todd, administrative associate, Graduate Studies
• Joseph Wooldridge, HVAC operator, Physical Plant
• Keith Wright, custodial worker, Physical Plant

10 years

• Jessica Adams, dispatcher, Public Safety
• Cathy Coomes, administrative assistant, College of Liberal Arts
• Deanna Engler, library associate, David L. Rice Library
• Constance Epley, senior administrative assistant, College of Liberal Arts
• Ronnie Jessie, maintenance mechanic, Physical Plant
• LaVerne Jones, photographer, Photography and Multimedia
• Rachel Jones, senior accounting assistant, Business Affairs
• Linda Lefler, senior administrative assistant, International Programs and Services
• Dustin Mellott, public safety officer, Public Safety
• Rita Ricketts, payroll supervisor, Human Resources
• Dennis Scherrer, maintenance mechanic, Physical Plant
• Mary Spahn, administrative assistant, Romain College of Business
• Lisa Staples, administrative assistant, Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education

15 years

• Robert Alves, custodial services, Physical Plant
• Mary Ann Bernard, senior administrative assistant, Development
• Roberta Brandt, senior administrative assistant, Special Events and Scheduling Services
• Gregory Carlisle III, production assistant, Creative and Print Services
• Donna Dippel, custodial worker, Physical Plant
• Christopher Hogue, laboratory supervisor, Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education
• Janice Morgan, senior library assistant, David L. Rice Library
• Kay Myrick, administrative assistant, Outreach and Engagement
• Boyd Winternheimer, grounds worker/vehicle maintenance, Physical Plant

20 years

• Donald Broshears, custodial services supervisor, Physical Plant
• Ellen Cathey, custodial worker, Physical Plant
• Carol Diedrich, senior administrative assistant, Travel Services
• Madonna Hopf, senior library assistant, David L. Rice Library
• Frank Nagy, senior maintenance mechanic, Physical Plant

25 years

• Steven Baker, telecommunications technician, Information Technology

30 Years

• Theodore Gore, public safety officer, Public Safety