News Detail
12/05/2014
Pamela Schroeder, whose responsiveness, patience and excellent communication skills make her a welcome sight when sorting out academic matters, was honored with the prestigious 2014 President’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.
SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum presented the award to Schroeder, a secretary II to the associate provost in the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Office, on Dec. 5 at the 45th annual Service Awards Ceremony.
Sponsored by the College’s Human Resources Office, the ceremony was held in the Corey Union Function Room.
“Everyone recognizes Pam for her can-do attitude, her professionalism and her outstanding work ethic,” Bitterbaum said. “We are very fortunate to have Pam working at SUNY Cortland.”
The award was created in 2002 to annually recognize one SUNY Cortland full-time classified service employee “for extraordinary achievement and to encourage the continuation of excellence.” Nominees must have at least three years of continuous service. Supervisors, co-workers or other College community members nominate the workers considered for this honor.
Schroeder joined SUNY Cortland in 1988 as a senior stenographer working in the Sperry Learning Resources Center. Five years later, she moved over to Training and Production Services and in 1996 to Classroom Media Services. Schroeder was transferred in 2003 to the Research and Sponsored Programs Office.
In 2010, she was promoted to secretary II in the division where she works today.
Before she came to SUNY Cortland, Schroeder served the New York State Office of Mental Health for six years at increasing levels of responsibility. Hired in 1982 as a secretary/receptionist for the office in Albany, N.Y., she was promoted in 1984 to stenographer. After moving to the Syracuse, N.Y., office, her position was upgraded to keyboard specialist I.
Schroeder is credited with being a hard-working and helpful colleague who embraces new tasks with a leader’s zeal, consistently going well above and beyond what is expected of her. Many of her accomplishments happen behind the scenes as she provides critical support to the college curriculum committees, search committees and graduate students.
“Pam handles challenges and change with great adaptability and a very positive attitude,” said her supervisor Carol Van Der Karr, the associate provost. “Pam is willing to shift schedules and always find a way to fit everyone in.”
Schroeder is accessible and responsive in dealing with a busy campus community.
“It is not unusual for Pam to get a call from someone starting with, ‘Pam, I know this isn’t your area, but could you help me …’ because of her collegiality and knowledge,” Van Der Karr said.
As the primary contact for the graduate students who are awarded Graduate Faculty Executive Committee research grants, Schroeder assists the scholars from the time they are awarded the funding through completing their reimbursement paperwork.
“For many students, this is their first experience and they, and their faculty sponsors, rely greatly on Pam’s guidance,” Van Der Karr said.
Schroeder also has developed an outstanding understanding of curriculum, campus governance and campus and SUNY policies.
“She is a primary resource for questions on SUNY procedures for curriculum change and coordinates all submissions and major revisions of academic programs to SUNY and the state Education Department,” Van Der Karr said.
Moreover, the 26-year College employee has been a driving force in many programs that enrich the campus and community. Schroeder participated in the State Employees Federated Appeal campaign, chaired the Auxiliary Services Corporation Finance Committee, and was the first person elected as the classified representative to the Faculty Senate, on which she recently completed eight years of service. Her creativity was evident when she served on the SUNY Wellness Challenge steering committee, providing support to more than 260 campus participants in the very successful event.
“Pam was one of the most active members of the committee, developing the Challenge Chatter newsletters, weekly contests and an awards ceremony for the event,” Van Der Karr said. “Because of her enthusiasm and ideas, people stayed engaged and motivated throughout the event.”
She was honored with the annual Accrual Achievement Award for the 2010-11, 2012-13, and 2013-14 academic years.
She and her husband, Mark, live in East Freetown, N.Y. They have two daughters, Stephanie, an engineer, and Katie, a nursing student.
A gourmet cook, Schroeder loves to experiment in the kitchen. She enjoys camping and fishing, especially on the St. Lawrence River. She breeds Labrador retrievers and has three of them.
Employees Honored for Years of Service
Also during the ceremony, 35 classified employees were recognized for their years of service. They included:
35 YEARS
Ella Dorman, Library Clerk 3, Library
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| Dianne Bays-Guido and Genevieve Herrling |
25 YEARS
Dianne Bays-Guido, Supervising Janitor, Custodial Services
Genevieve Herrling, Secretary 1, Educational Leadership Department
20 YEARS
Jeanne Clink, Janitor, Custodial Services
Charlene Lindsey, Secretary I, Field Placement
Helen Low, University Police Officer 1, University Police
Bonnie Merchant, Secretary 1, Admissions
Darlene Phillips, Keyboard Specialist 2, Campus Activities and Corey Union Office
Joseph Stockton, Janitor, Custodial Services
15 YEARS
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| Jeanne Clink |
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| Bonnie Merchant |
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| Darlene Phillips |
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| Joseph Stockton |
Douglas Adsit, Cleaner, Custodial Services
Lucinda Compagni, Secretary I, Communications
Michelle Congdon, Principal Clerk Personnel, Human Resources
Sherry Ellis, Library Clerk 3, Library
Amanda Halliwell, Secretary 1, Sociology/Anthropology
Janet Hegedus, Secretary I, Educational Opportunity Program
Kathleen Hudson, Secretary I, Administrative Computing Services
Nancy Mead, Information Technology Specialist 1, Library
Theresa Montez, Secretary 1, Recreational Sports
Jane Rawson, Cleaner, Custodial Services
Teresa Ripley, Secretary 1, Facilities Management Office
Neeca Root, Administrative Aide, Student Conduct Office
Scott Suhr, Laboratory Helper, Biological Sciences Department
10 YEARS
John Aldrich, Electrician, Maintenance
Ann Cutler, Secretary 1, Multicultural Life and Diversity Office
Daniel Dryja, Head Grounds Supervisor, Grounds
Priscilla Harvey, Keyboard Specialist 1, English Department
Virginia Karpenko, Secretary 1, Research and Sponsored Programs
Ryan Kleveno, Motor Equipment Mechanic, Motor Pool
Tanya Lowie, Cleaner, Custodial Services
Robert Maarberg, Plant Utilities Engineer 1, Heating Plant
Cynthia Perelka, Calculations Clerk 2, Student Accounts
Lou Anne Simons, Library Clerk 2, Library
Pamela Smith, Secretary 1, Chemistry
Jennifer Stiles, Secretary I, Communication Disorders and Sciences
Patricia Wolff, Clerk 1, Duplicating Center