Sending a 'We Are!' to these Penn Staters — Dec. 18

As part of our regular "We Are!" feature, we recognize 20 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what's asked of them in their work at the University.

This week, on behalf of the entire Penn State community, we'd like to say thank you to:

• Sue Ake, graduate enrollment services coordinator and admissions lead in Fox Graduate School, whose nominator wrote: "Sue is always thinking about her coworkers and making the environment upbeat and positive. She is quick to share her opinion and tips for making the work easier. She'll dig in to find not only an answer but the complete answer, whether it is for a student or staff member."
• Beth Brennan, program coordinator for the Graham Center for Innovation and Collaboration at Penn State York, whose nominator wrote: "Beth collaborated with members of the campus and community to host four events over a five-day period. Most notably was a session for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which brought together members of the campus and community for a film screening and panel discussion around this challenging topic."
• Bobbi Gearhart, buyer in Central Procurement, whose nominator wrote: "Bobbi went above and beyond to help resolve a purchase order issue right as I was heading out for vacation. Her quick thinking, dedication and willingness to step in at the last minute made all the difference. I truly appreciate her support. Bobbi made it possible for me to leave with peace of mind!"
• Christina Glenn, marketing specialist in Penn State Outreach, whose nominator wrote: "Christina was instrumental in the success of Penn State's recent Global Impact Forum. She went above and beyond to help plan, market and execute the conference, and we couldn't have done it without her!"
• Steve Graffius, janitorial worker at Penn State Altoona, who received multiple nominations. One nominator wrote: "Steve does an outstanding job in the Eiche Building. He goes above and beyond his normal duties and puts great effort into making the building fun and festive for both students and staff. His great attitude and desire to help make our building a better work and community atmosphere." Another nominator wrote: "During holidays Steve goes above and beyond to make sure the students, staff, and faculty have a beautifully decorated space to enjoy. His work brings much joy and is a great example of going above and beyond!"
• Kelly Griffith, art director and multimedia graphic designer in Student Affairs, who received multiple nominations. One nominator wrote: "Kelly's leadership makes such a difference. She leads with empathy, brings out the best in everyone and keeps our projects running smoothly while making the workplace a genuinely positive space." Another nominator wrote: "Kelly is such a day-brightener. She is compassionate, talented, responsive and caring. She helps me do my job better, inspires me and makes me feel seen."
• Lindsey Hess, research project manager for the Center for Childhood Obesity Research in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD), whose nominator wrote: "Lindsey's innovative thinking, collaborative spirit and proactive approach to our work are admirable. She always maintains a positive attitude and sense of humor, even during stressful times. She is selfless and willing to mentor others to develop their skills, even at the expense of her own time."
• Annette Hestres Garcia, student advocacy specialist in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD), whose nominator wrote: "Annette has been a wonderful addition to the HHD community. She is always positive, kind and caring toward students. She's created great events, including bringing her therapy dog, Trooper, for students to enjoy. Annette truly makes HHD a better place, and we're so lucky to have her!"
• Kimberly Humber, finance support coordinator in the Office of Budget and Finance, whose nominator wrote: "Kim is incredibly kind and helpful, especially with financial matters. She has a real talent for cutting through red tape, navigating complex processes efficiently and smoothly."
• Chris Lee, Media Commons consultant and Teaching and Learning with Technology specialist in University Libraries, whose nominator wrote: "Chris really went above and beyond to help me with some issues I was having while saving presentations. We jumped on Zoom, and he then quickly returned a call to help our students be able to access their work. He also retrieved a project for a student whose project we thought was lost! We are so thankful for his help."
• Karen Kemirembe, associate director of foundation relations in University Development, whose nominator wrote: "Karen helped with a proposal for a foundation I haven't worked with before. She was exceptionally helpful with questions and reviews. I know she is very busy, but she took time out of her schedule, was always friendly and went above and beyond what I anticipated."
• David Kubarek, assistant director of strategic communications in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS), whose nominator wrote: "David is a collegial communicator whose photography, videography and writing elevate our college's work. He is generous with his time, routinely covering events for colleagues and ensuring things run smoothly. He anticipates needs behind the scenes and consistently goes above and beyond in his role."
• Jeannette Macaluso, human resources consultant, whose nominator wrote: "We are so grateful for Jeannette, our HR lifeline! She is always available, responsive, knowledgeable and endlessly helpful. Her integrity, discretion and concierge-style support make navigating HR smooth, respectful and stress-free, no matter the time or place."
• Lisa Morris, assistant teaching professor of criminal justice at Penn State Abington, whose nominator wrote: "Professor Morris went above and beyond to prepare a fabulous 'Wednesday'-themed display for Abington's 75 Anniversary and Homecoming Celebration. She even worked with Abington's Makerspace to create a replica of the character, Thing. Her commitment to the department, current students and future students is truly remarkable."
• Elizabeth Parfitt, teaching professor of English in the College of the Liberal Arts, whose nominator wrote: "Beth is a consummate professional who has deftly embraced a number of different leadership roles within the Department of English. She is an invaluable resource for faculty colleagues, and she has done remarkable work mentoring aspiring undergraduate writing tutors."
• Valerie Ream, financial aid specialist in Enrollment Management, whose nominator wrote: "Valerie went above and beyond to help me support a student with a complex financial aid situation. She connected with the right colleagues, gathered key details and shared insights that helped me advise the student with care and context."
• Lisa Rand, reference and instruction librarian at Penn State Lehigh Valley, whose nominator wrote: "Lisa is always looking for ways to collaborate across offices on campus. She is innovative and seeks out opportunities to offer resources and assistance to staff and faculty. She is so great at considering what a colleague might need and takes the initiative to connect. She is such an asset!"
• Emmy Reitz, residence life coordinator in Student Affairs, whose nominator wrote: "Emmy is someone who will always go above and beyond not only for her students, but for staff and fellow colleagues. She is someone who shows true care and compassion for the work that she does, even during tough times, and inspires those around her every day. Keep shining!"
• Luis Soler, skilled trades supervisor at Penn State Abington, whose nominator wrote: "Luis is always ready to trouble shoot or find solutions to any situation with a smile. It's a pleasure to work with of Luis!"
• Collin Wildridge, program coordinator in the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development, whose nominator wrote: "Collin is such a blessing. He helped us with a recent event, and we were so inspired by his care and thoughtfulness. From supporting the idea and creating beautiful promotional materials, to setting up the room and displaying clear signage, he ensured details were handled and he made us feel welcomed."

Thank you Sue, Beth, Bobbi, Christina, Steve, Kelly, Lindsey, Annette, Kimberly, Chris, Karen, David, Jeannette, Lisa, Elizabeth, Valerie, Lisa, Emmy, Luis and Collin - and to everyone who helps make Penn State such an incredible community!

Do you know someone who deserves a shout out? If you do, consider nominating that person by filling out a short online form.