Mary Mora joined the English department as a secretary at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in March 1996. Since then, many faculty and students have valued her commitment, strong work ethic, easygoing personality, and dedication to quality. Mary is the glue that holds the English department together and the "go-to" person when there are needs. She patiently deals with her duties in a professional and courteous demeanor despite numerous interruptions.
Mary's involvement with the students is exemplary. On a daily basis her actions remind people of the real reason we are here in the first place and what is important -- our students. Mary's kind and patient treatment of the entire staff and of students creates an atmosphere conducive to good morale. She shows sound judgment in the way she balances the duties of her multifaceted job, in her supervision of work-study students, and in her stewardship of department resources.
Mary Mora completes a wide range of daily tasks in her job. Mary's duties range from finding student information and typing grant proposals to preparing publicity for department events and handling mass mailings. Mary's organizational skills are exemplary. She has organized and updated a number of databases used for mass mailings. She has also organized the evaluation process while making sure that book orders are processed in a timely fashion and the complicated course scheduling is refined. Mary also works with the budget despite her other numerous duties. She diligently reviews the budget while keeping the department chair apprised of the situation. Mary also keeps costs under control by ordering supplies wisely and frugally. She has helped inventory the present resources so she only orders what is needed.
Mary has sought to improve her knowledge of computers through workshops that are beneficial to her tasks for the department. She is also willing to make the extra effort to hand deliver a document, procure supplies, or place finishing a task ahead of heading out to lunch precisely at noon. Mary Mora's fair treatment of each student and faculty member with patience, courtesy, and dignity provide a model for the behavior of the rest of the department.
Because of Mary Mora's loyalty and service to the English department, UNK faculty, and UNK students, the University of Nebraska at Kearney is pleased to name her Employee of the Month for July 1998.