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| Oct 8, 2009 |
Renée Bak is October Employee of the Month at USD |
| VERMILLION, S.D. -- Renée Bak, senior secretary for the Department of Biology, is the October 2009 Career Services Employee of the Month at The University of South Dakota. |
| Bak, who has been a USD employee for 15 months, was nominated for the award by Kaius Helenurm, Ph.D., professor of biology because of her hard work, efficiency and, particularly, for her diligence in managing the diverse activities of the biology department. “Renée is unfailingly polite, calm, cheerful and helpful,” said Helenurm in his nomination of Bak. “She is the most efficient secretary we have ever had and her work is of the highest quality.” Surprised with the honor during a reception at Churchill-Haines Laboratories building on Tuesday, Oct. 6, Bak noted that she was grateful for the award and credited her coworkers for their help and friendship. “I wouldn’t be as good as I am without the help of everyone around me at work, including faculty and staff,” admitted Bak. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the people I work with.” Bak, a Mission Hill, S.D. native, began working in the Department of Biology at The U after working as a secretary in the Yankton School District. Because of the high level of research activity in the department, Bak is constantly submitting large numbers of forms for purchasing, employment, travel requests, reimbursements and invoices. She also manages funded grant and contact accounts, and ensures that work study and staff time sheets are completed for more than 50 employees. “It’s very enjoyable for the fact that I get to meet a lot of interesting students,” added Bak, who resides in rural Mission Hill with her husband, Greg. “I also have an opportunity to learn a lot about the field of biology, so every day is a new challenge.” A photo of Renée receiving her award from USD President James W. Abbott is available for download at www.usd.edu/urelations/images/Renee_Bak.jpg. |
| About The University of South Dakota |
| Founded in 1862, The University of South Dakota is designated as the only public liberal arts university in the state and is home to a comprehensive College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, the state's only School of Law, School of Medicine, the accredited Beacom School of Business and the College of Fine Arts. It has an enrollment of more than 9,600 students taught by 400 faculty members. More information is available at www.usd.edu/press/news.
This material is available in an alternate format upon request. Please contact University Relations at 605-677-5759. If you are a person with a disability and need a special accommodation to fully participate in any university activity or event, please contact Disability Services at 605-677-6389 as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made. |
MEDIA CONTACTS: |
| Phillip Carter |
| The University of South Dakota |
| 605-677-6258 |
| phillip.carter@usd.edu |
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