From left: Bahram Refaei, Kim Etherton, Tim Stewart and Ian Redding.
Linfield University announced four winners of two newly created Staff Awards during June’s monthly Staff Assembly meeting.
The Dedication Award, which recognizes “exceptional diligence, professionalism and excellence in their work” was awarded to Bahram Refaei, director of access and Educational Media Services, and Kim Etherton, operations supervisor. The Engagement Award, given to those who have “made significant contributions to creating an inclusive environment for students, faculty, staff and other members of the Linfield community” was awarded to Ian Redding, senior technical specialist, and Tim Stewart, cleaning services manager.
Colleagues across both campuses hailed the recipients’ experience, love of the Linfield community and, in one case, hosting a vacuum training that has become a yearly highlight for the residential assistants. Read on to learn more about the awards and why, in the view of their fellow staff members, they are so well-deserved.
Dedication Award winner: Bahram Refaei, director of access and Educational Media Services
Citation: Refaei received multiple nominations that highlighted his calm, dependable, and professional demeanor that so many folks have relied on during his 30-plus years of service here at Linfield.
Bahram Refaei
From his colleagues:
“Bahram is the heart of the library … he is not just active in our 38-library consortium, his problem-solving skills are legendary. He has made the library a safe space for our student workers and provides them with mentoring and skills that will last them a lifetime. When I first accepted the position of Linfield University Librarians, one of my circulation staff said, ‘You are so lucky, you get to go work with Bahram’. They were right.” — Ginny Blackson, director of Linfield Libraries:
“I’ve been fortunate to spend my entire career at Linfield so far learning from Bahram and watching him solve problems for students, faculty and staff everywhere on campus without a moment’s hesitation, even things far outside the scope of his job description. His decades of experience in various roles provides a wealth of knowledge to anyone smart enough to ask for his guidance. Faces brighten and stress fades when Bahram enters a room. When they see Bahram outdoors on his daily walks, past work-study students wave enthusiastically and faculty and staff stop him for information and advice.” — James Spears, multimedia support specialist
“Bahram is the best – everyone on campus knows him and knows they can ask him anything. He knows the institutional history and he is beloved by his student employees. He’s everything good about the type of work we can do as student employers.” — Rich Schmidt, director of archives
Dedication Award winner: Kim Etherton, operations supervisor
Kim Etherton
Citation: Kim has been described by her peers as an uber-organized powerhouse. After receiving a promotion in 2021, she diligently fulfilled dual responsibilities for almost a year, seamlessly managing her current and previous role until the vacancy was successfully filled. She prioritizes incorporating life training into the daily tasks of work-study employees, making sure they feel valued and integral to the department.
From her colleagues:
“Kim Etherton (aka ‘Workflow Guru’) manages, coordinates and supervises the critical operations functions of Facilities Services, including transportation and fleet management, the work order system, key checkout and other priorities. She is dependable, reliable, conscientious, adaptable and proactive — and she flat-out makes things happen! It’s no surprise, then, that her kryptonite is ‘unfinished business and loose ends.’ Kim’s dedication and the-show-must-go-on mentality is admirable – and a shining example of the dedication she has to Linfield students, faculty and staff.” Allison Horn, associate vice president for facilities administration:
“Kim is the heart of our office. She fosters a welcoming environment where coworkers and anyone who comes into facilities is met with great customer service. Not only is she super organized and hardworking, but she has a wonderful sense of humor and a very positive perspective about work and life. She makes our office more like family than work.” — Mary Dressel, facilities office assistant
Engagement Award winner: Ian Redding, senior technical specialist
Ian Redding
Citation: Ian’s unwavering optimism and lightning-fast responsiveness are the cornerstones of the Portland campus’s seamless operation. With a remarkable ability to demystify technology and digital programs, regardless of someone’s technical proficiency, he ensures that campus technology remains accessible. His commitment to excellence and unwavering enthusiasm makes every interaction a privilege.
From his colleagues:
Nina Tall, director of Portland Campus Operations: “Everyone in the room that day was so excited to hear Ian’s name as one of the staff award winners. But I’ll also say that not one of us was surprised. Ian is exceptionally supportive and positive, and the Portland campus appreciates him immeasurably. He was a School of Nursing staff award winner and served on this year’s award committee. I think I can speak for the entire Portland faculty and staff by saying we are so thrilled to see such a deserving Portland staff member win this award.”
Rick Snaric, director of technical services: “For the 2022-23 academic year, approximately 376 support desk tickets were opened for the Linfield University Portland Campus. On the Portland campus, there are nearly 500 faculty, staff and students that frequently have need for emergency or urgent in-person support. And there are a myriad of infrastructure devices requiring support, including lab computers, desk phones and printers. One person wakes up every morning and tackles that … fortunately for Linfield University, that individual is Ian Redding. Ian’s ability to work on an island is remarkable. That he excels at it is exemplary! A well-earned and well-deserved award of recognition for all that Ian does.”
Engagement Award winner: Tim Stewart, cleaning services manager
Tim Stewart
Citation: “Known for his unique power of positivity and diligence … despite the challenges of running a nearly 24/7 operation seven days a week, he spends on-shift time with each of his day, swing and night shift teams each week. With more than 36 years of service to Linfield under his belt and receiving nominations in both of today’s award categories, he exemplifies the spirit of the Engagement Award.”
From his colleagues:
Allison Horn, associate vice president for facilities administration: “Tim Stewart (aka ‘Chief of Oddball’) lists his kryptonite as ‘sleep deprivation’ for good reason! He oversees the three Cleaning Services teams — day, swing and night — that provide support and service across all 1 million square feet of McMinnville campus buildings seven days a week. Tim has arranged his schedule so that he can spend time on-shift with each team, every single week. Thank you, Tim, for sharing your unique power of positivity with Linfield for the past 36-plus years!”
Kathleen Jensen, assistant director of residence life: “Tim is one of the greatest colleagues Residence Life has had here at Linfield. He is a literal ray of sunshine, with a constant smile on his face. He is dependable whenever we run into challenges and always puts the student experience first in everything he does. Tim is a fan favorite for the RA staff, who look forward to his vacuum training all year long. While vacuum training may not be the most exciting topic, spending time with Tim is their favorite part of RA training! There aren’t enough words to express how thankful we are for everything Tim and his entire team do for our department. Thank you, Tim!”
Catherine Dirksen, area director of housing: “Tim is the most positive, energetic and compassionate human that I have the pleasure of working with. Tim lights up every room he walks into, and I always leave my meetings with him with a bit more hope and positivity than when I came in. I feel honored to be able to work alongside Tim and I can’t imagine a better human to collaborate with.”
Full nominee list:
Abby Thomas, Allison Horn, Amy DeYoung, Amy Ward, Analia Hermosillo, Andy Wolf, Bahram Rafaei, Beth Garcia, Beth Woodward, Carol Stowell-Heller, Carrie Vander Meide, Chris Clark, Deanne Schroeder, Gennie VanBeek, Haley Hmura, Heather Long, Ian Redding, James Spears, Javier Mendoza, Jeff Mackay, Jeremy Richards, Jesus Velazquez, Jill King, Joe Smith, Kelly Bird, Keri Burke, Kim Etherton, Mackenzie Phelps, Mary Huber, Meridith Symons, Nina Tall, Patty Haddeland, Sam Williams, Tim Stewart, Veronica Siller.