Tag Archives: employee of the month

Jonathan Dickerson, right, receives the 2015 Employee of the Year award from Dean Alan Grant.

Jonathan Dickerson, a senior research specialist at the Turfgrass Research Center, was named the 2015 Employee of the Year as well as the June Employee of the Month.

The monthly award is given to employees who perform tasks above normal work performance, demonstrate consistently good work and dedication to the position and, most importantly, complete their job in an exemplary way. The yearly award is selected from the winners over the last year.

The yearly winner receives a plaque and a $1,000 check.

Dickerson’s nominator wrote the following letter praising him.

“Repair and maintenance of specialized equipment is often a challenge, but Jonathan has tackled it with deliberation and eventual success. We have specialized mowers on-loan from leading manufacturers (Deere, Toro, Jacobsen) that must be meticulously managed for future resale. Jonathan has established excellent rapport with these company reps, maintained the equipment well, and ensured that these cooperative efforts will continue into the future.

Jonathan has done the required professional development and beyond. He quickly gained his pesticide applicator’s license, but he also used his soils degree to begin lecturing on turf soils in our annual Virginia Tech Turf Short Course. His short course lectures received excellent reviews and we will continue to invite him to help with training Virginia’s certified turfgrass professionals. Further, I have asked him to lead turfgrass labs on mowing, blade sharpening, and overall equipment maintenance; he has done an excellent job and I will continue to have him train students in this way.

In summary, Jonathan Dickerson is an ideal employee: he goes above and beyond his regular job assignments and contributes in many positive ways to the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Program.”

Sammi Kent, unit administrative assistant at the Greensville County/City of Emporia Extension Unit Office, has been selected as the July Employee of the Month.

Kent’s nominator praised her ability to do her job at “a high degree of energy, commitment, flexibility, and professional conduct. Sammi serves a fully staffed office, dividing her time across program areas and providing outstanding service to all. She has been so critical to our success in reaching out and recruiting a diverse clientele and is an integral part of the unit office.”

Her nominator pointed out the many compliments the unit office receives about Kent from program participants, volunteers, and members of the community. They “have raved about her and stated their appreciation for the warm, welcoming, and professional environment she maintains.”

Congratulations, Sammi!

Cynthia Melvin, in facilities services, has been selected as the February Employee of the Month!

Cynthia’s nominator praised her, noting that she is “one of the hardest workers I have ever been around and housekeeping is not an easy job. This doesn’t seem to make a difference in her job duties.” Her dedication, work ethic, and expertise are evident in her daily work.

She is very observant of problems that arise in the buildings and is quick to report them. Her nominator also mentioned that her “work ethics gain respect and appreciation from me and others, but she doesn’t hear as much as she deserves.”

Congratulations Cynthia!