October 03, 2008

Student employees honored by RSS

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Kenya Michael and Erin Wanserski are the Recreational Sports and Services (RSS) summer session 2008 employees of the month while Robert T. Livingston and Kyle Arthur LeDuc earned the honor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for August. Accolades go to Michael and Livingston for their work in facilities and to Wanserski and LeDuc for their work in programs.

“Kenya is the epitome of the ideal student employee,” said Corné Prozesky, assistant director of facilities for RSS. “She is a hard worker. She has the greatest attitude -- always in a good mood and ready to help someone in any way she can. I am really privileged to work with Kenya.”

Michael, a junior English major from Chicago, has worked for RSS for two years. She works in maintenance. The daughter of Gloria and Kenneth Michael, Kenya plans to complete her undergraduate degree and then obtain her master’s in English. Her goal is to be a high school English teacher.

“Erin is a fairly new addition to fitness,” said Lynne Thompson-Cundiff, assistant director of fitness at RSS. “She teaches aerobics and works the desk in the Lifestyle Enhancement Center. She is always willing to help and will learn to teach anything I ask her too. She is also a lifeguard so she works multiple areas in the rec center.”

Wanserski, a junior exercise science/kinesiology major from Mattoon, has worked a year for RSS. The daughter of Larry and Lynn Wanserski, she plans to further her education in graduate school after earning her degree in kinesiology. Wanserski plans a career as a personal trainer.

Livingston is a senior from Sierra Vista, Ariz. He’s working on a double major in political science and speech communications. The son of Jane Strain, his future plans include earning a master’s in semiotics and a career working in Europe guiding adventure trips. He’s worked about two-and-a-half years with RSS at the Adventure Resource Center/Base Camp.

“Rob has been an integral part of our program since he first began working with RSS,” said Ian Pendergast-White, Outdoor Adventure Programs graduate assistant. “He is constantly taking the initiative to better our program in many ways. A recent appointment as the climbing wall student supervisor, his performance has been phenomenal. Rob’s versatility enables him to excel at any task he confronted with. Whether Rob is on a weeklong expedition in the Florida Everglades, a local climbing trip, or working a hectic Base Camp shift, he proves to be a valuable asset to our program. I sincerely appreciate his willingness to consistently go above and beyond expectations.”

LeDuc is a sophomore finance major from Bloomington. The son of David and Lynn LeDuc, he works for RSS as an intramural sports supervisor. After completing his bachelor’s degree, LeDuc plans to go on to law school and anticipates a career as a real estate lawyer.

“Kyle, while only being a sophomore, has stepped up to be one of the key leaders among our new Intramural Sports supervisors,” said Shane M. Bennett, assistant director of intramural sports and sports clubs for RSS. “We look forward to seeing Kyle continue to grow.”

RSS awards employee-of-the-month honors to student employees in recognition of their outstanding effort and service.

kenya erin wanserski rob livingston Kyle LeDuc