Alumni staff member wins spirit award

Alumni Association business office assistant Kathleen Schmidt has a spirit that creates a positive atmosphere for others, and she has the award to prove it. Schmidt was awarded the U-M Alumni Association Spirit Award 2002.

"The Spirit Award is given annually to one staff member who exhibits extraordinary enthusiasm toward their job responsibilities and personal life," Schmidt says. "It's the kind of spirit that is contagious to other staff members."

Photo by Paul Jaronski, U-M Photo Services

The award was established in 1993 to honor a former Alumni Association staff member, Judy Nowak, who was facing challenges in her personal life, yet continued working and maintained a positive attitude. Staff members fill out nomination forms, and an anonymous committee decides who should receive the award, which then is given at a holiday party.

Colleagues say Schmidt is pleasant to work with and always has a smile on her face. In addition, they admire her ability to complete a number of tasks in little time, always with the same smile. Those who work with her also enjoy the candy on her desk.

"She is always helpful, willing to cooperate, and always wants to help you get your job done," says Rita Werthman, employee relations manager at the Alumni Association.

"Her commitment to being a team player is exhibited every day by her willingness to help her coworkers," says her boss, Sherry Kelly. "If other areas of the association are busy, Kathy will be the first to volunteer to do whatever it takes to get the job done."

Schmidt, who originally is from Pinckney and now lives in Manchester, has worked at U-M for 10 years. Her job consists of such tasks as processing gifts and creating Non-PO vouchers for Camp Michigania, among other things. In addition, each spring Schmidt's family enjoys planting an acre and a half in the garden on their farm. "We just love being outside playing and working," she says.

In her free time, Schmidt is an aspiring photographer, and she enjoys doing crafts of any kind, working on scrapbooks and spending time with her family.

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