UMC Faculty and Staff Receive Distinguished Service Awards

Three University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) faculty and staff were honored recently with distinguished awards. Distinguished Professional and Administrative Award – Andrew Svec, website coordinator; Distinguished Service Award – Val Uttermark, office specialist in the records office; and Distinguished Teaching Award – Wendell Johnson, associate professor of biology.

Svec is a native of Lowry, MN, where he graduated as Glenwood High School valedictorian. He then graduated with high distinction from the University's Morris Campus majoring in speech communications. While at Morris, Svec received one of five 1990 Morris Campus Student Leaderships Awards. Svec joined the UMC staff in 1990 as assistant director of residential life. In 1993 he moved to the admissions and enrollment management office, and in 1996 he became UMC’s first website coordinator.

In receiving the award, Svec was recognized by his colleagues as a creative, bright individual who pays attention to details and performs beyond expectations. A colleague said, "He is a good committee member because of his fresh ideas, enthusiasm and creativity."

Uttermark has been a valuable and essential part of the Records and Registration Office since 1976. She maintains and processes many complex details in many situations. She was recognized by her colleagues for maintaining a good working relationship with faculty, staff, and students.

"Through the years Uttermark has demonstrated a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, both of which are so necessary to the unique nature of the work of that office and the relations it must maintain with faculty, staff and students," said a colleague. As problems arise at UMC, Uttermark was recognized for her ideas and solutions to work through them within the system.

Wendell Johnson joined the UMC faculty in 1968 as an instructor of biology. He was promoted to assistant professor biology in 1970 and to associate professor of biology in 1974. He has two master of science degrees, one in agronomy from Iowa State University and one in natural science from the University of South Dakota. His bachelor of science degree is from Moorhead State University.

Johnson was recognized by his colleagues and students for his involvement in the technology he incorporated into his classroom instruction to enhance learning and education. One student said, "Professor Johnson provides students the best possible learning opportunity, making each class period challenging, interesting and stimulating."

Posted: 06-25-98

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