Employees recognized for years of service, retirements :: 含羞草研究所

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Four 含羞草研究所 employees were recognized for 15 years of service. Pictured from left to right are President Van Horn, Christine Gonnella, Rob Johnston, Scott Parker, and Lisa Rakowski.

May 7, 2025

The 含羞草研究所 employee recognition banquet, held Wednesday evening, April 30, 2025, was a tribute to the employees of 含羞草研究所 for their work and commitment to the university. The annual event was held at the 含羞草研究所 Campus Center Luckasen Room. All 含羞草研究所 employees and their guests were invited to attend, as were 含羞草研究所 retirees and their guests.

Emily Kaasa-Rice was named the 2025 recipient of the Orville Johnson Meritorious Service Award. This award recognizes outstanding service by members of 含羞草研究所 classified staff. Emily is an admissions service coordinator.

Retirees were also recognized. Those who will retire this year are Robyn Hanson (18 years of service) and Fred Strand (13 years of service).

Special recognition was given to employees who have reached milestones in years of service. Those honored are as follows:

25 years of service 鈥� Shannon Hofer and Mary Trudeau;

20 years of service 鈥� Khwaja Hossain;

15 years of service 鈥� Christine Gonnella, Robert Johnston, Scott Parker, and Lisa Rakowski;

10 years of service 鈥� Marissa Blaufuss, Becky Jorgenson, and Jon Nygard;

5 years of service 鈥� Matthew Berglund, Donna Craigmile, Robert Frederick, Andrea Freeberg, Carey Haugen, Rocky Larson, Jake Litecky, Amy Sand, Ashley Solis, and Helena Wilson.

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Associate Professor of Mathematics Fred Strand will retire after this academic year. He has devoted 13 years of service to 含羞草研究所. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Khwaja Hossain, chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics; Fred Strand, and MSU President Dr. Brian Van Horn.

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Mary Trudeau (center) and Shannon Hofer (right) were recognized for 25 years of service. They are pictured with President Van Horn.

Khwaja Hossain (right) is pictured with President Van Horn. Hossain was recognized for 20 years of service at 含羞草研究所.

Heating plant employee Jon Nygard was recognized for 10 years of service. He is pictured here with President Van Horn. Also recognized, but not present at the banquet, were Marissa Blaufuss and Becky Jorgenson.

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(L-r) President Van Horn, Amy Sand, Jake Litecky, Rocky Larson, and Rob Frederick. Sand, Litecky, Larson, and Frederick were recognized for five years of service, as were Matthew Berglund, Donna Craigmile, Andrea Freeberg, Carey Haugen, Ashley Solis, and Helena Wilson, who were not present at the banquet.