The UShine Award

• August 2024: LoAnn Stadstad
• July 2024: Christopher Buckholz
• June 2024: Stephen Murphy
• May 2024: Tammy Mulske
• April 2024: Janna Horning
• March 2024: Alexander Marquette
• February 2024: Dawn Seydel
• January 2024: Richard Heitman

2023 Annual Award Winner: Jay Gillen

"Jay has “The Best” attitude. He is always willing to pitch in and help anyone and everyone.

Our BST Says

Jay helps with shoveling when there is no custodial staff on duty until 10:30 pm on weekdays and on the weekends.

I keep a cabinet filled with supplies and cleaning materials because Jay is willing to clean up messes when they happen instead of leaving them until 10:30pm. He fills toilet paper and paper towels in the bathrooms.

Jay has also helped with the mice, putting out traps or letting the custodial staff know about the mice.

These maybe small things to some people, to me, it’s the little things that matter and Jay does not have to help but he goes out of his way to care.

Thank you Jay, Lisa Flanagan

Our Administrative Assistant

Jay is always willing to help with special events. He comes in early to help pick up carryout orders from catering. He helps tremendously with setups in conference room 406. We could not be as organized at these events if it wasn't for Jay. He is always paying attention to when the next event is and getting that set up. Jay is always thinking beyond by bringing in décor for the event or if the library has items that fit into the event pulling that décor into the space as well.

Jay makes sure the building is secured everyday he works. We have had problems with EDA doors not being locked at closing. He does not leave until he has been able to get those issues resolved whether it is calling the Operations Center, getting an officer to the building, or waiting for a maintenance employee to arrive.

One night after 4:30 pm one of the librarians had forgotten their cell phone in the conference room. This librarian had been checking on an ill friend. Jay called the Operations Center to ask if building security or an officer could come and unlock the space, unfortunately, they could not and he was not given access to this space. But he did ask the Administrative Assistant to come back, and he ran out picked up key, ran back into the building unlocked the conference room door, and then ran the key back out to the Administrative Assistant. Jay was able to have the librarian return home with their phone, so they could check on their friend.

I’m sure there is much more that I have forgotten.

Jenny Arends

Jay’s Manager

Jay is willing to help with any problem task, large or small.  He is always available to set up events and takes the time to ensure things will run smoothly, anticipating problems and volunteering to assist by working outside his regular schedule and even providing transportation.  He was instrumental in keeping the library open for extended hours during finals.  He always provides a personal touch with library users.  He assists community users in locating information on microfilmed newspapers and demonstrates how to search the library computers and databases.  He regularly provides feedback on emergency procedures, security issues and maintenance problems.  He planned and organized shifting of library materials to ensure there was adequate space and minimal disruption of access to collections.  He is amazing at locating misplaced materials, identifying issues and maintaining safety, fixing shelf stability problems, and resolving printing difficulties. 

Stan Johnson

CFL Assistant Dean

Jay went above and beyond for a student, even though the Library was open until 2:00 AM during Finals Week a student taking an online exam was not finished by closing time. Jay offered to stay allowing the student to finish their test. At our Randy Rasmussen lecture series events Jay brings library collection items related to the lecture theme to the room to garner interest in the topic and in the collections.

Sally Dockter

• December 2023: Bethany Reck
• November 2023: Jonathan Puhl
• October 2023: Troy Noeldner
• September 2023: Matt Lukach
• August 2023: Becca Maher
• July 2023: Jackie Schofield
• June 2023: Daniel Radi
• May 2023: Jay Gillen
• April 2023 ~ Aleta Krack
• March 2023 ~ Mason Gerszewski
• February 2023 ~ Andrea Gargano
• January 2023 ~ Carol Anson

2022 Annual UShine Award Winner:  Joe Glenn

My daughter, who is a freshman at UND and lives in McVey Hall, called me on the evening of 12/16/22 after taking her last final of the fall semester to let me know that her car was stuck in a snow drift. Due to the weather that evening, we were not able to get to her to help her. I called UND Operations Center and Joe was our saving grace that night! He told me to call the Head RA, which we did who told me to call the UND Police. When we called UND Police we were forwarded to "Grand Forks Dispatch" who told me that they couldn't help my daughter. Joe called me back and asked if the RA was able to help and I said not really and told him what we had done so far. We called our "roadside assistance" number and waited on hold for someone to answer. While I was on hold with them (about 20 minutes), Joe called me back again and asked if my daughter had gotten help, to which I told him no. He said, I'm going to have a UND police officer call you back directly, and they did, Officer Johnson and another police officer (who my daughter didn't catch his name), helped my daughter get her car unstuck and also shoveled the drift that had piled up in the parking lot! Joe went over and above to help our daughter out when we couldn't be there for her and we are very grateful for his efforts!!

2022 Monthly UShine Award Winners

• December 2022 ~ Joe Glenn
• November 2022 ~ Danielle Schindele
• October 2022 ~ Joshua Strayhorn
• September 2022 ~ Kellie Choate
• August 2022 ~ Aimee Melicher
• July 2022 ~ Joe Egan
• June 2022 ~ Renae Hellerstedt
• May 2022 ~ Lindsay Sannes
• April 2022 ~ Dawn Seydel
• March 2022 ~ Anita Kemnitz
• February 2022 ~ Derek Gosselin
• January 2022 ~ Terri Kemnitz

2021 Annual UShine Award Winner:  Elaine Erickson

Elaine is a true asset to our College/Department of Aviation! First and foremost, she goes above and beyond to help students and parents figure out FAFSA, scholarship issues, accepting their financial aid package along with being available to them whether via email or phone - she's always lending a hand. Then, she is always welcoming and cordial to students, faculty and staff who approach her with a myriad of questions whether related to financial aid or not. Furthermore, she works diligently to insure her processes, loans and other financial aid-oriented tasks do not place obstacles/barriers in front of students and parents. Recently, in an hour-long conversation with a parent from Bismarck, Elaine was able to guide the parent in successfully completing the FAFSA form. Students, parents, faculty and staff know that when they approach Elaine with whatever issue that arises regarding financial aid, she will always go the extra mile to insure they are satisfied that the issue is resolved. Elaine, also, does not allow technical difficulties stand in her way when she's assisting students and their parents. Students and parents have commented to this nominator that Elaine's considerate and caring attitude helped to calm their nerves and decrease the stress associated with dealing with financial aid issues. Her "open door" attitude is refreshing and a positive attribute! She is, truly, kind and caring, and thoughtful of all those she comes in contact with.

2021 Monthly UShine Award Winners

• December 2021 ~ Larry Young
• November 2021 ~ Madeline Azari
• October 2021 ~ Nurul “Fifi” Binti Abu Bakar
• September 2021 ~ Rhonda Saxberg
• August 2021 ~ Jayson Sharp
• July 2021 ~ Jake Collings
• June 2021 ~ Elaine Erickson
• May 2021 ~ Kristi Baker
• April 2021 ~ Heidi Smart
• March 2021 ~ Kathy Borgen
• February 2021 ~ Laurie Kovar
• January 2021 ~ Julie Tennison

2020 Annual UShine Award Winner:  Laurie Kovar

On behalf of Student Finance, I am nominating Laurie Kovar, Assistant Director of Operations & Training, for a U-Shine award. When the Open Door Scholarship and the Angel Fund were both launched, mid-pandemic, Laurie found herself in the middle of the perfect storm. Requests from students with extreme financial need came pouring in, and Laurie single-handedly reviewed applications of 896 students (and counting!) for both of these awards and has awarded a total of $595,795 to students with financial hardship. Her dedication to assisting students to continue their education at UND is unmatched. Not only does she review their applications, but she also considers the students holistically and helps to find other possible solutions for them, often connecting them with other resources within UND and the Grand Forks community. On top of her already full workload, Laurie has devoted countless hours to this important retention and student support effort, working many hours outside of her standard work-week to ensure that students’ needs are met quickly.

One student impacted by Laurie’s compassion and assistance wrote:

By awarding me the Open Door Scholarship you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school learning. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.

2020 Monthly UShine Award Winners

• December 2020 ~ Heidi Flaten
• November 2020 ~ Erika Johnson
• October 2020 ~ Jake Collings
• September 2020 ~ Teri Sharp
• August 2020 ~ Lani Moen
• July ~ Sarah Quanrud
• June ~ Jen Berger
• May ~ Chelsea Larson
• April ~ Troy Noeldner
• March ~ Shelly Pecka
• February ~ Kevin Stafford
• January ~ Paul Bruggeman

2019 Annual UShine Award Winner:  Angela Holkesvig

The 2019 Annual UShine Award Winner, Angela Holkesvig, Accounting Specialist for UND Housing. This year’s award winner is a prime example of the type of person and UND employee who demonstrates the qualities and expectations of the UShine Award. She was recognized at the Staff Recognition Ceremony and was given a certificate and $250! The following is what has risen her to the top for this UShine award.

Angela volunteered to be the chair for Staff Recognition Committee for 2018-19. Since she took this position, there have been nothing but improvements. The easy thing would have been to go and do the same old things from prior years but instead she decided to rewrite the position. The time she has put into the small details have made the annual Staff Employee Recognition Week (SERW) and Spring Fling BBQ and Breakfast extraordinary. She has gone out of her way to secure a $1,000 donation from Johnson Control, secure over 70 door prize donations for Spring Fling, paid for decorations out of pocket and created step by step guidelines for future chairs! She ensures everything comes together perfectly to show all UND staff that they are appreciated.

Not only has she put extra time into our Appreciation Events, she also makes the UShine award something to see. Once the monthly recipient is chosen, Angie researches the winner to put that extra little touch. Out of her own pocket, Angie buys little gifts from pop, snacks, frosting, and even more personalized things like a Hello Kitty Airplane for Linda Grinde and a Baby Dumbbell rattle for Matt Lukach! And don’t forget the music like “You Have a Friend in Me” for Will Martin and “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Joni, Paula Cox’s favorite bad! These little details really help show the UShine winner how much time and thought she puts into this award and shows how valuable and appreciated their contributions are to UND. She really goes out of her way to make someone feel appreciated!

2019 Monthly UShine Award Winners

• December ~ Kim Myrum
• November ~ Amy Senger
• October ~ Joanne Barstad
• September ~ Margie Evers
• August ~ Jason Marsh
• July ~ Heidi Gerszewski
• June ~ Frank Swiontek
• May ~ Tulasha Dhungana
• April ~ Angela Holkesvig
• March ~ Paula Cox
• February ~ Matt Lukach
• January ~ Linda Grinde

• December ~ Judy Johnson
• November ~ Will Martin
• October ~ Cheryl Arntz
• September ~ Tim Korsmoe
• August ~ Nathan Lord
• July ~ Patrick Bugliosi
• June ~ Kali Stanziano
• May ~ Jennifer Proulx
• April ~ Courtney Olson
• March ~ Phul Rai
• February ~ Karen Bushaw
• January ~ Mark Peters