By Beverly Newsam,
University Affairs
Doug Noe, a
custodian II in custodial services, considers 2003 to have been a surprising
year. He was honored with both the UNO Employee of the Month Award for March
2003 and the Employee of the Year Award.
Noe
was named the Employee of the Year at the annual Faculty Senate/Staff Advisory
Council Recognition Dinner held April 26 in the Milo Bail Student Center
Ballroom. He said his supervisors urged him to attend the event, but he wasn't
sure why it was so important until his name was read.
"It
was very shocking to find out I'd won Employee of the Year," Noe said. "I knew
I was in the running, but I thought others would get it before me."
Though
he finds it unexpected to be honored in this manner, his co-workers believe the
attention is well deserved. "Doug, as I and many others know, is of the highest
quality and meets standards that few staff members at UNO can achieve," one
nominator wrote. "As long as I've known him, Doug has always performed in the
best interests of the department and university.
"He
is thoughtful, considerate and seemingly without question one of the most
caring persons we have on this campus, yet alone in our department. Without a
doubt, this is one of my happiest moments to be able to support such a
deserving person."
For
17 years, Noe has been employed by UNO — spending time on each of the work
shifts. Of the three shifts, Noe said he prefers the afternoon schedule, which
he has worked the past eight years. "My current schedule is more detailed than
the morning or night shifts," he said. "My past shifts mostly involved
cleaning."
Noe
is part of a seven-person crew, in which each person is assigned to different
campus buildings. Allwine Hall, the Eppley Administration Building and Roskens
Hall are Noe's responsibility. "I monitor my areas to make sure they are
appropriate for usage by students and faculty/staff," he said.
He
also is responsible for moving campus equipment, cleaning and special projects.
Individuals at UNO have come to rely on Noe for his exceptional service. "Doug
is someone you can depend on to do any type of job that he is asked to
complete," another nominator said. "He also does a lot of his work without
being asked. Doug is a valuable person."
Noe's
willingness to help and caring nature also led to his being recognized as the
Employee of the Year at UNO. "He is friendly and will help complete a job that
I am unable to finish without complaint," another co-worker said. "He's always
willing to help out."
Keeping
busy is never a problem for Noe, who said he likes to spend time with family
and do yard work and home renovation projects in his spare time. He is also
planning to share some of the benefits of his Employee of the Year Award with
his family.
"My
son is graduating from high school in May, so I plan to use some of the cash
award I received on his party," Noe said. "It is very much appreciated."
