For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — Outstanding faculty and staff members were recognized this week at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for their work during the 2018-2019 academic year.

The Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and Service Award was given to Professor Michael Demchik, forestry. He has served local, state and national audiences as a teacher, researcher, conservationist and expert in forestry management in both the public and private sector.

Nancy Stokosa

The winner of the Carolyn Rolfson Sargis Award was Nancy Stokosa, administrative associate for the Physics and Astronomy Department. The long-time service award recognized Stokosa’s dedication to her department and its students.

Several faculty members were selected for the Excellence in Teaching Award:

• Susan Bender, professor of music, nurtures success in her voice students by crafting a repertoire to suit their voices and encouraging them to compete. She also directs the opera.
• Maggie Bohm-Jordan, assistant professor sociology and social work, mentors student research, two student organizations and residence hall and leads students on study trips.
• Jacob Prater, assistant professor of soil and waste resources, teaches and mentors students in classes, research, summer field experiences, internships and student organizations.
• Bryant Scharenbroch, assistant professor of soil and waste resources, is an engaging teacher, research mentor and adviser to the nationally recognized Soil Judging Team.
• Krista Slemmons, assistant professor of biology, mentors undergraduate research as well as secondary science teaching students. She developed online and honors classes.

Recognized with the University Scholar Award were:

Mike Demchik

• Justin Rueb, professor of psychology, mentors 55 research students, is widely published and helps local businesses with training initiatives.
• Ross Tangedal, assistant professor of English, is an expert in modern American print culture, professional editor and publisher-in-chief of Cornerstone Press.

The University Service Award recipients were:

• Anna Haines, professor of human dimensions of natural resource management, has served multiple roles on campus, in Cooperative Extension and in the Stevens Point community.
• Vera Klekovkina, professor of world languages and literatures, has served her department and on high-profile campus committees for program assessment and re-accreditation.

The recipient of the Academic Staff Excellence Award was Diane Lueck, senior lecturer, College of Natural Resources. Lueck is an engaging teacher of two core natural resources courses and advises two student organizations.

The Academic Staff Spirit of Community Service Award was given to Sam Dinga, director of Diversity and College Access. He travels to Cameroon with volunteers each year to bring water and supplies to needy villages. Dinga is a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Portage County and a past president.

Several staff members were recognized for Outstanding Work Performance:

• Deanna Deising, administrative department associate in the School of Health Promotion and Human Development, supports several education programs and committees within her program and college and volunteers in the community.
• Tina Rajski, payroll and benefits specialist advanced with Human Resources, took on extensive additional work in benefits administration while continuing her regular duties.
• Sheldon Schroeder, a food production assistant in Dining and Summer Conferences, took on an increased workload to manage the food court in the Dreyfus University Center.
• Nanci Simon, Common Council secretary, uses organization skills, institutional knowledge and a positive outlook to help faculty governance run smoothly.
• Jenny Wierzba, administrative department associate in Mathematical Sciences/Computing and New Media Technologies, took on several challenges in the past year and helped streamline processes within her two departments.