Employee of the Year Saves Best for Last

By Beverly Newsam, UNO Public Relations

The saying "They saved the best for last" rings true for Marian McDonald, assistant manager of duplicating services and the newest UNO Employee of the Year.

 

In December, she was recognized as the final UNO Employee of the Month for 2002. On April 30, she doubled her honor at the annual Faculty Senate/Staff Advisory Council Recognition Dinner, where she was named UNO's Employee of the Year for 2002.

 

"I was overwhelmed when I found out I'd been chosen," she said. "It was a total, total surprise."

 

McDonald said she was aware of her eligibility for this award and of the many nominations she received as Employee of the Month, but didn't think she would actually get this honor. "It makes me feel a lot closer to the people I work with," she said. "It also motivates me to serve the university."

 

Contrary to her belief that few people know who she is, the campus community is well aware of McDonald's many outstanding

abilities.

 

"Marian is always organized and on top of deadlines, details and oversights made," one nominator wrote. "She is able to communicate effectively to avoid problems before they arise. Marian is the best."

 

McDonald joined UNO in 1988 as a typesetter. She previously worked for an insurance company and wanted to try something different. "I kind of fell into the typesetting field," she said. "I picked it up and have been doing it ever since."

 

With only three employees working in printing and duplicating services, McDonald said her responsibilities differ from day to day. "We cover each other's tasks as needed," she said. "I handle jobs as they come in."

 

McDonald said she often works with the new UNO logo. "I respond to quite a few e-mails requesting the logo and the correct usage of it," she said.

 

Of all the projects McDonald works with, she most enjoys those that include full color processing - when the budget allows - or athletics. "I enjoy being creative," she said. "It's nice when someone just asks me to make something."

 

McDonald's co-workers appreciate her creative abilities. "Marian has been instrumental in the production of each of the Diet Pepsi/UNO Women's Walk brochures, posters, and other forms and projects that we throw her way," another nominator wrote. "I know any project that I bring to her will be done quickly, and we will be very happy with the end product. We understand what a jewel she is and would be lost without her."

 

McDonald's enthusiasm and sense of humor are other reasons co-workers enjoy working with her. "She is a joy to work with and fun to be around," one individual said. "Marian always smiles when she sees you, no matter how difficult her day is, or how hectic."

 

When she's not working at UNO, McDonald enjoys playing softball and spending time with her son and daughter.

 

As the Employee of the Year, she received $500. "Wow, that will buy a lot of gum!" she said.

 

Though she is widely known as one of the university's best bubble gum consumers, McDonald seriously plans to put the money toward a trip to Phoenix next year. There, she will receive her master's degree in computer information systems, which she has been completing online.