President's Service Award to Evelyn Peters

Posted May 19, 1998


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19, 1998
98-05-13-OTHER

Clerk-steno wins 1997 President's Service
Award

The 1998 winner of the President's Service Award, established four
years ago to "recognize staff members who have made outstanding
contributions to the learning and working environments of the
University," is Evelyn Peters, a clerk-steno III in the Department of
Biology. Peters will presented with the Award on May, 20, 1998 at
spring convocation.

The award which carries a $1,000 prize and includes a
commemorative ring or pin, will be presented at the university's spring
convocation on May 19, 1998.

In proposing Peters for the Award, her nominators and supporters ?
and these include senior University Administrators, Department faculty
and emeritus professors, students, staff, adjunct and associate faculty
members, post-doctoral fellows, research fellows, and others ? cite
numerous qualities that eminently qualify her for the honor.

For example, Professor Wayne Skrapik, associate dean, Arts and
Science, writes: "I have always been impressed with Evelyn's candor,
her sense of humour, her willingness to provide whatever support she
could for the Department and the College..."

Professor Vipen Sawhney, of Biology, says that Peters "[does] an
outstanding job, is very professional in her work, is resourceful,
cheerful, and very friendly." he notes the words of a colleague who
has commented that she "is the cement that holds this large
department together," and goes on to note that she is "superbly
organized and extremely dedicated to her work."

Professor Dick Neal, also an associate dean of Arts and Science,
recalls joining the Department of Biology some 30 years ago and
meeting Peters for the first time. "Her warm, cheerful personality and
her interest in people made one feel at home immediately."

Professor Larry Fowke, head of Biology, praises Peters' reliability, her
diligence, and her ability to deal with complex tasks related to
teaching, research, and administration, adding: "Even under difficult
circumstances, she's able to maintain her composure and is polite and
helpful."

Dr. Taylor Steeves, professor emeritus of biology, says that Peters
performs well beyond the letter of her job description.

"Her role in organizing and maintaining the flow of department
activities [goes] above and beyond normal secretarial responsibilities.
Her dedication to the Department and its effective operation is most
impressive."

"Evelyn is for all Department members and students the source of
information about procedures, deadlines, and opportunities and is the
one to whom all turn for advice. Her efficiency and effectiveness in
dealing with such diverse issues is remarkable and is much to be
commended."

Sheri Fisher, president of the Biology Club, says that Peters "seems to
know each student by name and...regards the needs of students as a
top priority. She is constantly aware of employment opportunities for
students and places job postings so that we may have the chance of
finding work within the field of biology."

Peters grew up in Eatonia, SK. She is a mother of two children:
Garrett, 23, and Julie, 19, who both live and work in Saskatoon.


For more information, please contact:

Eleanor Wright
Chair - President's Service Award Selection Committee
(306) 966-7006