Dee Ellingson's Employee of the Month nominations was submitted and signed as the unanimous desire of the entire Psychology Department. Dee has been the Psychology Department secretary since August 1993 and also functions as the secretary for the UNK Institutional Review Board. In the words of her nominators, Dee "has consistently displayed outstanding levels of managerial skill, loyalty, social dexterity, optimism and productivity."
As an example of exemplary service, the department cites the summer of 1996 when the Psychology Department was scheduled to move into new facilities in Copeland Hall. Though recuperating from surgery, Dee was in the office sorting, organizing, directing a substitute secretary, decision-making and guiding the move with efficiency from her wheelchair. Her dedication to the department allowed it to fully function during the move.
Dee is a team player. She understands the departmental commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship, their pride in the department, and needs of the students. She appears to be less interested in the boundaries of her job description than in carrying out the mission of the department. These attitudes have contributed significantly to an atmosphere of shared values and commitment.
The department depends on Dee's excellence in the quality of daily work and believe that once a task is left in Dee's hands there is no concern about its completion. "Dee displays the initiative and resourcefulness of a successful corporate CEO. She keeps generating and implementing alternatives until a solution is reached."
Dee's excellent work ethic "promotes feelings of good fortune and appreciation in the faculty." Her attitude is consistently respectful and helpful whether dealing with faculty, staff or students, and this contributes significantly to the department's congenial, student-oriented milieu. "Much of the success of our department is directly attributed to Dee Ellingson's competence, efficiency, positive attitude and loyalty."
The Department of Psychology and the University of Nebraska at Kearney join in recognizing and congratulating Dee Ellingson as Employee of the Month for May 1997.