Small Town News

Johnson. Craft receive Luther staff award

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Luther College President Richard Torgerson has announced staff members Judy Craft and Jerry Johnson are the recipients of the Luther Staff Excellence Award for 2010.

Craft and Johnson were recognized at the annual Staff Appreciation Day recently.

The Staff Excellence Award recognizes exemplary performance by staff members who consistently excel in their positions and demonstrate integrity and a strong commitment to the mission and values of Luther.

Craft is lead custodian in Franklin W. Olin Building and Johnson is director of public information.

As part of the award, each recipient will be granted an individualized educational opportunity, funded by the college. The college works with award winners to pursue an opportunity in an area of special interest.

Past winners have participated in January-term study-abroad programs, spring break service learning trips, summer courses off campus, Luther music ensemble tours, unique professional development opportunities or semester-long courses on campus.

Staff Excellence Award candidates are nominated by their staff and faculty colleagues, and recipients are selected by the college administrative and support staff committees.

Award recipients are chosen for outstanding performance of their professional duties to further the mission of the college. Award winners have consistently performed at a level above and beyond normal job requirements.

Craft

Craft joined Luther in 1990 working as a part-time custodian. Upon the completion of the F.W. Olin Building, she accepted the full-time lead custodial position in August of 1995.

Supervisors describe Craft as dependable, reliable, having a pleasing personality and cooperative spirit and getting along with everyone.

Co-workers in Olin comment that Craft works tirelessly to keep a 15-year-old building looking brand new. She is a joy to have in the building, always cheerful and has a can-do spirit. Her colleagues consider Craft a friend, co-worker and indispensible part of what they do.

"Without her the teaching and learning environment of Olin would suffer," a co-worker said.

Craft's excellence award citation also praised her dedication to her work and commitment to the ideals of the Luther community.

Johnson

Johnson joined Luther in 1987 as director of public information. During his Luther career he has served as director of alumni records and research, director of sports information and director of donor communications/research.

In 1993 he returned to the director of public information position. As director, he oversees the college's news bureau, photo bureau, video bureau and serves as a member of the marketing team.

Supervisors comment that Johnson consistently demonstrates leadership, problem solving skills and the ability to get things done under a heavy workload.

In addition to his supervisory roles, he has co-taught a communication studies course and has mentored more than 30 students in communications, public relations, journalism and marketing internships over the past 23 years.

Beyond his formal communications duties, Johnson demonstrated his creative side by writing the scripts for and performing in two Luther Staff Day performances: "A Sonny and Cher Staff Day" and "Indiana Jones and the Staff Day of Doom."



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