Each spring the university recognizes employees for retirement, years of service and special achievements. University officers, honored guests, family and co-workers gather April 20 in Cardinal Hall to honor 110 staff employees.

Eight of this year's staff honorees have served the university for 30 or more years.

35 Years of Service

Jerry Ault, mailing services manager, Central Mailing, began his career at Ball State in April 1965. Within two years, Ault was promoted to mail services supervisor.

In 1965 Central Mailing was located in the basement of the Student Center and employed two full-time employees and three students. Considering the volume of mail processed by Central Mailing today, it's hard to believe that in 1965 the mailroom had one postage meter, one truck and a station wagon shared by Central Stores for deliveries.

Ault was instrumental in starting the National Association of College and University Mail Services (NACUMS). According to co-workers, he has served on NACUMS' Board of Directors (1995-96), is a past president of the University Mail Managers Association (1996), co-chaired the East Central Indiana Postal Customer Council (1989-present) and has earned the Industry Excellence Award at the National Postal Forum in 1993.

"Jerry is a tireless worker and always wears a smile," supervisor Amy Berg said.

Some of the qualities that make Ault special are his attention to details and his pursuit of excellence.

"Jerry is very cost-conscious and puts customer service at the top of his priority list," Berg said.

Shirley Paine, duplicating clerk for Printing and Duplicating Services, applied for employment at the university in 1964. Her first job was as an assistant in the Duplicating Office where she remained for 35 years.

Anyone familiar with the Copy Center knows and appreciates Paine's positive attitude and her willingness to serve her customers.

"It's easy to get along with Shirley, she's just a great person," Ken Johnson, director of Printing/Duplicating Services, said. Johnson says that when he took over Printing/Duplicating Services he didn't know very much about copying end of the operation.

"Shirley's experience at the Copy Center and her knowledge gave me time to initially concentrate on other matters," Johnson said.

According to Johnson, Paine's the type of person any supervisor would like to employ.

"Shirley is the glue that holds things together. She has always worked for the improvement of the department whether it was to her benefit or not," Johnson said.

30 Years of Service

Debra K. Bear, accounting/accounts payable representative, began her Ball State career as an assistant in the Duplicating Office. She transferred after 10 years to the Post Office in the Student Center and then took a position as office assistant in the Office of Vice President for Business Affairs in 1977.

Bear is perhaps best known for being "the" person to call when you need to travel for the university. The responsibility of handling the travel requisitions moved on with Bear when her position was transferred to the Physical Plant in 1987 and again in 1991 when she was moved to the Accounting Office.

"Debbie works with everyone across campus and the relationships she has developed over the years have helped to make the difficult situations easier to handle," supervisor Jane Griffis said.

Bear was the 1991 recipient of the A. Jane Morton Award.

Carolyn S. Besser, office supervisor, Department of Public Safety, was hired in 1969 as a substitute in Johnson Dining Service. Four months later she moved into a full-time position in Public Safety.

"Carolyn has been a valued employee," supervisor James St. Myers said. Besser has been married for 41 years and has two children. St. Myers says that she is very active in her church, she's a member of the Delaware Kiwanis, belongs to a bridge club, and has worked on retreats for Habitat for Humanity.

"Carolyn has always been available to help those in her own community as well as elsewhere," St. Myers said.

In addition to celebrating 30 years at Ball State, Besser will also be acknowledged for her retirement at the staff award program.

"Her future plans involve completion of her new home and travel destinations unknown with her husband and pets Sam and Scamper," St. Myers said.

Michael L. Cox Sr. design drafter, Facilities Planning and Management, came to Ball State as a draftsman in 1969.

"Mike has studied, measured, designed and drawn parts of every building on campus," Tom Frisbie-Fulton said. Within Facilities Planning and Management, he would win hands down a contest for "most published" author of architectural drawings. Frisbie-Fulton says that Cox is incredibly productive, thoughtful, and technically exact.

"Mike has helped every Ball State department grow and change their facilities over the past 30 years," Frisbie-Fulton said.

Isaac (Ike) A. Jones, space utilization coordinator, Facilities Planning and Management, was hired to fill a position as space utilization analyst. His current responsibilities include approving space requests and developing a space study analysis of how classrooms, offices and support facilities are used.

He is also the person responsible for coordinating the permanent or temporary movement of personnel during major construction and/or capital improvement project works.

His job can get complicated but according to Tom Smith, director of facilities management, Jones takes it all in stride.

"Ike's sense of humor has been a delight to many of us in meetings that have a tendency to become boring," Smith said. He is often quoted as saying, "I want it in the minutes that I agree with Mr. Kinghorn." His co-workers know when they hear Jones say, "That's like kissing your sister," that he's been asked to do something he's really not interested in doing.

"I think the reason Ike's humor is enjoyed is because he tells on himself and laughs at himself as well. He's a great guy and wonderful friend," Smith said.

Phyllis L. Kennett, bookkeeper, Woodworth Dining, had her start in Registration and Admissions (Registration and Academic Progress). After two years, Kennett transferred to Woodworth Dining and has held the position of bookkeeper for 28 years. Kennett's co-workers appreciate her kindness and positive personality. Her supervisor, Rodney Brooks, says he admires her knowledge and work ethics.

"Phyllis is very detail-oriented and that makes my job easy. The combination of her skills and personality make her a great person to work with," Brooks said.

Frank A. Koenker, carpenter supervisor, Facilities Planning and Management, began his career as a carpenter craftsman at Facilities Planning and Management-Carpenter Shop in 1970. His experience, however, dates back to 1965 when he was a student employee in the shop.

Trustworthy, honest, and dedicated to the university are the terms supervisor Ross Walter uses to describe Koenker.

"Frank is an excellent supervisor. He works well with others, he is thorough, and does whatever needs to be done to ensure his people get the training they need to do the job right," Walter said.

By Tony Barker, Communication Manager