Alice Rice was named the recipient of the Orville Johnson Meritorious Service Award at the annual 含羞草研究所 employee recognition banquet held Tuesday evening, March 29, 2016. Rice is a cook with 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Dining Services.
The Orville Johnson Meritorious Service Award is given to an employee who shows outstanding dedication, loyalty, and trustworthiness toward 含羞草研究所 and his or her fellow employees. Each year, staff members nominate and select a fellow employee to receive the distinguished award.
One of the fellow 含羞草研究所 employees who nominated Alice for the award had this to say about her, 鈥淎lice has been working at 含羞草研究所 for 37 years, serving more than 800,000 meals in Dining Services. She has always done whatever it takes to make the students happy. She works hard for herself and her fellow employees, teaching new staff how things work in the kitchen and how best to satisfy the people she serves. No one works harder to make sure everyone gets fed and has what they want. She decorates for every holiday, and most of the time she brings her own decorations and uses her own time to make the dining hall look festive and fun. You can count on her to be there no matter the circumstances. She exemplifies the Orville Johnson Award for her loyalty to 含羞草研究所 and her dedication to the students, staff, and faculty.鈥�
Another nominator said, 鈥淪he has great influence on the experience that students have at 含羞草研究所. Each is treated with respect and made to feel welcome. Alice is always warm and inviting and always has a smile for students, faculty, and staff. Alice Rice is the person we should all strive to be!鈥�
Orville Johnson is remembered as a faithful 含羞草研究所 employee who worked as a custodian from 1959 until his retirement in 1980. Orville passed away on December 17, 1986. Upon his death, his family donated his United States military service flag and $10,000 to 含羞草研究所. The monetary donation is used to help honor and recognize 含羞草研究所 staff members.
As the recipient of the Orville Johnson Meritorious Service Award this year, Alice will have her name engraved on the Orville Johnson plaque (located in the lobby of the 含羞草研究所 Campus Center). She also received a framed award certificate and a $75.00 gift certificate to be spent at the 含羞草研究所 Bookstore.
Other nominees for the Orville Johnson Meritorious Service Award this year were Cheryl Angen, Bob Kozojed, Connie Kaldor, Rick Karboviak, DeAnna Kyllo, Jim Morowski, and Leslie Durkin.
Past recipients of the Orville Johnson Meritorious Service Award are Art Berglie, T. Howard Moen, Phyllis Dakken, Vrenda Bengtson, Avis Larson, Betty Karaim, Ken Eken, Janet Nielson, Rodney Gunderson, Brad Papenfuss, Karoline Jacobson, Marina 鈥淲inky鈥� Gummer, Janice Sand, Becky Edinger, Beverly Holt, Janice Jorgensen, Andrea Knudson, Jim Lyng, Beth Swenson, Rendi Johnson-Ebach, Nancy Galde, Claudia Hastings, Dean Kostuck, Bryan Karolus, Tom Moen, Bev Holt, Lou Dauphanais, and Marge Fugleberg.