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In nominating his co-worker, Dennis Everett wrote about a potentially precarious situation in which Scott Newby was working alone at the Central Energy Plant and the outside temperature had dropped below freezing. \u201cHe came through for the entire campus family, keeping all of us warm,\u201d Everett wrote. \u201cThe main air compressors failed and both boilers tripped. Due to his fast reaction time, experience and training, he was able to quickly pipe in, power up an old spare air compressor, get the boilers up, and prevent expensive repairs and loss of heating during this critical time.\u201d<\/p>\n
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February: Zack Ridder, academic advisor, Center for Academic Success and Advisement<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n March: Jordan Hicks, first-year coordinator, Department of Performing Arts<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n April: Endia Butler, student employment coordinator, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/files\/2020\/09\/ridder.png\")
\u201cZack does anything for anyone out of the kindness of his heart,\u201d wrote Samantha Freeman, one of three co-workers to nominate Zack Ridder for the honor. \u201cStudents first, that is the hallmark of our institution. Zack consistently puts students first.\u201d Stormy Sims highlighted Ridder\u2019s assistance in aiding her transition to UTC. \u201cAs a new employee, I struggled navigating a new campus and a new set of norms, but Zack was always willing to help me find answers to questions I had, give me insight into his experiences, and provide much-needed support,\u201d Sims said. Jacqueline Ozcelik wrote about Ridder\u2019s willingness to help others. \u201cHe often comes in early and stays late to help out students. He is also always looking for ways to be a better resource for his students and to be better able to help them meet their goals.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/files\/2020\/09\/hicks.png\")
In his nomination letter, Kevin Ford, director of Chattanooga Singers and Chamber Singers, was quick to credit the role Jordan Hicks has taken in departmental recruiting efforts. \u201cHe works tirelessly and represents UTC extraordinarily well at on-campus and off-campus events with the community and with potential students,\u201d Ford said. \u201cHe wrote and received a grant to bring a music education specialist to campus and has worked with Hamilton County Schools and Chattanooga State to invite their students as well, turning it into a recruiting event.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/files\/2020\/09\/butler.png\")
Student Juan Aponte first met Endia Butler after learning about a new mentorship program for first-generation students during the 2019-2020 academic year. \u201cEndia became my mentor and helped me adjust to life in college; she helped me build my class schedule when I did not know how,\u201d wrote Aponte, who is now a UTC sophomore. \u201cI could not go home (last) Thanksgiving, and she and her husband opened their doors for me and welcomed me into their home. She has been instrumental to my success as a college student. I don\u2019t truly know how to put into words the ways she has helped me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Vickie Adkison said there is no request that is too big or too small for Donny Behneman, saying that recognition for the May Blue Ribbon award winner was long overdue. \u201cHe is a \u2018Yes\u2019 man. He has so many skills and talents that he is constantly being asked to assist with things that are not in his job description. I\u2019ve never heard him say \u2018No,\u2019\u201d wrote Adkison. \u201cHe has a kind heart and is always generous with his time. We can call him \u2018Donny on the Spot!\u2019 Helping others has already become his second full-time job.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/files\/2020\/09\/cox.png\")
After tornadoes touched down in Chattanooga Easter night, April Cox immediately took action and Tonia Martin took notice. \u201cApril saw a need for Mocs to help Mocs,\u201d wrote Martin, director of Strategic Enrollment Technology. \u201cShe took it upon herself to set up a Facebook page to help identify employees that needed an extra hand. She invited all of her campus friends to join the group and it spread from there. She coordinated collecting over $1,000 to make a Home Depot run and deliver much-needed supplies to Mocs families. She also helped coordinate generators and connect campus folks to other campus folks that had or needed housing. These things would not have happened had April not jumped at the chance to serve her fellow UTC family.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"