Staff Notes

LBJ Appreciation Award spotlights superior work

Alanna Burney, administrative associate and accounts payable supervisor in the Business Office, received the 2002-03 LBJ Appreciation Award.

Before coming to the LBJ School in August 2000, Burney had worked for Granite Real Estate Management, Inc.; Starwood Hotels and Resorts; and a number of retail stores.

In her present job, Burney handles such tasks as travel reimbursement for faculty, staff, and students; purchasing; and voucher processing. She also handles cash advance requests, monthly invoicing, and a number of other duties.

One of her nominators described Burney as the “best representative of the Business Office, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, and the State of Texas.” Another simply called her a “spunky professional.”

“Her consistent positive attitude contributes to her being a credible resource for any challenge, concern, or question,” said one of her LBJ School coworkers. “As a result, Ms. Burney consistently presents a ‘can do’ attitude.”

Pamelia McGehee, administrative associate to the associate dean, and María de la Luz Martínez, Communications Office publications editor, received honorable mention during the ceremony, which was held in December.

The LBJ Appreciation Award was established in 1991 as part of the School’s 20th anniversary year celebration. The cash award recognizes staff members whose reliability, common sense, initiative, and positive attitude have made life easier for those in the LBJ School community. Students, faculty, and staff may submit nominations.

University salutes workers’ contributions
Four LBJ School staff members will be honored by the university during the 42nd Annual Staff Recognition Program and President’s Reception on Tuesday, May 6. The event is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Frank C. Erwin, Jr., Special Events Center.

The UT Austin Staff Service Awards Program recognizes the importance of staff contributions to the continuing success of the university, and awards are presented in recognition of length of service. Staff members receive their first service award for 10 years of eligible service; thereafter, service awards are presented in five-year intervals as eligible service accrues.

This year’s honorees from the LBJ School are Communications Office Director Marilyn P. Duncan, 30 years; Administrative Services Officer Le Na Chung-Cantrell, 15 years; Facilities Manager Robert G. Vargas, 15 years; and Administrative Associate Carol D. Monette, Office of Conferences and Training, 10 years.

Tamela Scott promoted
Seven-year UT Austin employee Tamela Scott stepped into a new role on September 1. As the dean’s new executive assistant, she replaces Kay Albin, who retired in August.

Scott, who came to the LBJ School Dean’s Office in January 2000, had previously worked in the UT Office of Accounting as a Payroll Services accounting technician. Before that, she was an accounting clerk in the UT Austin Division of Housing and Food (1995-1998) and a program coordinator with the Gulf Coast Crisis Shelter (1993-1995).

In announcing Scott’s promotion, Dean Ed Dorn said that she had impressed the selection committee with “her professionalism, commitment to excellence, sense of humor, and ability to deal with the university bureaucracy.”

Record Home • Publications • LBJ School
May 5, 2003
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