Classified staff lauded for going above and beyond

Diane Collins, legal secretary, Law School Remington Center
Collins has stood at the core of the office’s myriad activities for nearly 20 years. She shoulders the responsibility for the needs of the Center’s various projects, such as the Innocence Project, the Family Law Project, and the Criminal Appeals Project. She also handles the typing required by what is essentially a large, complex law office, fields numerous phone calls daily and takes responsibility for providing office supplies. Her graciousness and willingness to help students and colleagues creates a pleasurable work environment for everyone at the center.

When the Innocence Project was in the national spotlight for its role in freeing the wrongly accused Texas inmate Christopher Ochoa, she handled the phone calls that bombarded the center from around the country. Last fall, she volunteered two hours a day to fill in where the Law School had staffing shortages and still managed to squeeze in all of her own work.

Between all this hustle and bustle, Collins finds the time to bake a birthday cake for each clinical faculty member and staff employee.

Outside of the Remington Center, Collins is an usher at Badger football and basketball games, she house sits and pet sits for an ever-expanding group of acquaintances and also finds time to assist elderly friends.

Brenda Hemstead, administrative support assistant, State Cartographer’s Office
Hemstead has consistently provided outstanding service to the public and the office itself since she was hired in 1979. Mapping and geographic information technologies have changed dramatically over the past 20 years, and Hemstead has adapted to these changes.

Her ability to maintain an excellent understanding of this highly technical information allows her to handle almost half of the 2,000 to 2,500 inquiries that the office receives annually from local and state government, private firms and the public. Her pleasant personality has increased the public’s respect and recognition of the office.

“She always leaves the impression to those she comes in contact with that when they come to the SCO for information it will be dealt with in an efficient and professional manner,” says State Cartographer Ted Koch.

In the early 1990s, Hemstead also devised a way to transfer geographic information, previously stored in paper files, into a digital format on diskettes and CD-ROM.

“[This] requires technical expertise beyond the nominal charge of the position,” says Stephen Ventura, professor of environmental studies and soil science. “This [also] enhances the professionalism of the office and extends the services it provides.”

Hemstead has also served for four years on the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Education Committee of the non-profit Wisconsin Land Information Association.

Joan Leffler, program assistant, German Department
Leffler is considered by colleagues to be the heart of the organization. “I have realized that she is the one who keeps the entire organization functioning,” says German Department Chair Marc Silberman.

Leffler takes on a large load of responsibilities, including managing the entire department budget, assisting the chair with all administrative activities and instructional programs and overseeing the day-to-day operation of the department office, often going beyond the call of duty in each area.

Since joining the department in 1993, Leffler has become fluent in German on her own time. To her colleagues, she is the office troubleshooter and guru, often graciously setting aside her own tasks to help another, thus keeping her at her desk during lunch and after hours.

Leffler also takes an active role and interest in the department’s scholarly and social events by attending lectures, film screenings, workshops and conferences.

“It takes a unique individual to be willing to interact after the workday with the same people they’ve just been bending over backwards for,” says Mark Mears, graduate coordinator in the German Department.

Away from the office, Leffler is a semi-professional pastry chef, has won first prizes in local and regional ballroom dance competitions, and also sets aside time to visit with senior citizens.

Carol McKinley, program assistant, Department of Professional Development and Applied Studies
McKinley, program assistant since 1992, is the kind of enthusiastic worker that colleagues often urge to take a break. Always with a smile, Mc Kinley supports several faculty members and departmental projects while taking on other duties essential to the department as a whole.

“She is one of the behind-the-scenes ambassadors of good will, reliability and hard work which makes the University of Wisconsin function at its highest level,” says Raymond Kessel, professor of PDAS and Medical Genetics.

Mc Kinley works with a developmental disabilities project, and in her everyday work, she coordinates responsibilities for co-workers and colleagues who are disabled. “Carol is, by nature, a kind person who cares deeply about other people and the work she was hired to do,” says Roger Williams, chair of PDAS. “And her work is always, always done with a smile, a positive attitude and a team spirit.”

Mc Kinley’s puts her abundant energy to use outside of work, as well. She volunteers almost every week with the Knights of Columbus, oversees landscaping projects for her church, and performs as a clown every summer in over 15 parades and children’s events to raise money for charity.

Adelle Spaay, secretary, education department, Wausau Family Practice Residency Program
Spaay has served in various professional roles as an employee of the Wausau Family Practice Center for the past eight years. She first impressed colleagues with her skill in working effectively with patients as the program appointment secretary.

“She demonstrated an unfailing ability to do multiple tasks gracefully and with a quiet patience that was wonderful,” says Victoria Bender, nursing supervisor at the Wausau Family Practice Center. “Her listening skills and ability to use humor in tense moments proved invaluable.”

Two years ago, Spaay took her current position and has already made a visible impact on the program’s education department. She assisted the program director in evaluating and implementing new guidelines for clinic scheduling, which has already improved the continuity of care for patients. Spaay also added her creative problem-solving skills to four committees aimed at improving the quality of the program.

“She simply goes beyond any position description to enhance this program,” says Bender.

Outside of work, Spaay devotes time to building peace in the world community through music. Her children have participated in violin and singing lessons for the past thirteen years at the American Suzuki Talent Education Center at the UW-Stevens Point campus. She is organizing Suzuki host families for Finnish Suzuki singing students and families during their visit to central Wisconsin this summer.