OSU Institute of Technology announced the recipients of the 2019 Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards Tuesday evening, June 4, during the annual employee banquet.
Jamie Diggins, Nursing instructor, was awarded Outstanding Faculty Award, and Ann McGowin, administrative assistant for the Student Union & Auxiliary Services was awarded the Outstanding Staff Award.
Sponsored by the OSU Institute of Technology Faculty/Staff Council, the awards are given to acknowledge and praise OSUIT employees who not only go above and beyond in professional service but also inspire those around them to have pride in being an OSUIT employee.
Nominations for the awards are provided by peers who believe their colleagues deserve to be recognized for simply being “outstanding.”
Mike Madden, Orthotic & Prosthetic Technologies instructor, headed the committee for Outstanding Faculty this year. Madden said that Diggins is very enthusiastic and well-deserving of the award.
“It was a very close score between the winner and the runner-up. When we tallied the points, the difference was four-tenths of one percent,” said Madden. “Diggins had received two nominations, one of those coming from a student.”
Diggins, who has been with OSUIT for five years in July, teaches Foundations of Nursing to first semester nursing students. She said she was initially shocked when she found out she was nominated.
“When the reality of it all hit me, I was sincerely grateful,” said Diggins. “The nomination reminded me that what you do, or don’t do, on a daily basis can potentially have an impact on someone’s life without you knowing. I try to do my best, not for recognition, but to help my students achieve their goal of becoming a registered nurse by removing as many obstacles as possible and providing the resources they need to help them succeed.”
This is the second time that Diggins has received the Outstanding Faculty Award at OSUIT. She said that this recognition means more to her than words can express.
“I literally tear up when I think about the significance and what it represents. I am appreciative, excited, grateful, honored and humbled,” said Diggins. “I am reminded of my passion for teaching.”
Diggins said that over the past five years she has met many individuals across campus who are deserving of this award. “OSUIT has a plethora of talented, intelligent, and caring faculty and staff whose priority is ensuring student success. I am also very fortunate to be a part of the OSUIT nursing program! I am so thankful for all of the amazing ladies I work with as well as our outstanding students and alumni who represent us well!”
Sommer Farrimond, veteran services coordinator, led the Outstanding Staff award committee. Farrimond said that all the nominees were truly exceptional and are continuing examples of what the Outstanding Staff Award should represent.
“Ann was one that the committee couldn’t help singling out, not only for her years of service but she has an obvious love for the school and its students as well as a passion for service that goes above and beyond her job title and description,” said Farrimond. “There are so many people in the workforce today with a ‘stay in your lane’ attitude that it is a joy to see someone who not only steps outside the box, she jumps into other boxes when needed!”
McGowin covers many duties in her role. “I do normal administrative assistant duties along with having to fill in for our infirmary nurse, which we are on the search for.”
She assists with many tasks for various areas on campus such as the Post Office, University Bookstore, Cowboy Café, Copy Center, Vending and Commons and the C-Store.
McGowin started at OSUIT in 2001 and is coming up on her 18th year in October. “I felt very honored to even be nominated; I know everyone works hard to make OSUIT a success.”
She said it was a surprise to her when she won. “I was not expecting it and am so thankful for being picked.”
“This award is very prestigious, and I am very humbled to receive it,” said McGowin. “It shows that people are paying attention to the little things as well as the big things on our campus.”