November 17, 2008
RSS honors student employees of the month
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Recreational Sports and Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has announced the newest winners of the Student Employee of the Month honors. Chosen for September for facilities is Kaela Powley while the recipient for programs is Alan M. Beck.
Beck, a junior majoring in kinesiology, has worked nearly a year in the Adaptive Inclusive Recreation program at RSS. A native of Steeleville, he is the son of Patricia and Wayne T. Reynolds and William H. Beck. Beck may pursue graduate school at SIUC after completing his bachelor’s in exercise science. He said he wants to continue to “keep the SIUC Veterans’ Organization up and running.” His goal is working as a personal trainer for the disabled or for people in rehabilitation.
“Alan is extremely conscientious about his adaptive and inclusive recreation fitness partner,” said Kathy Hollister, assistant director of special populations for RSS. “He is always eager to learn more about the human body and exercise so he can be even better prepared for his workout partner. He has also been instrumental in developing a new Registered Student Organization for veterans. Being a veteran himself, he recognizes the benefits such an organization would have as a strong support system. He has almost single-handedly written the constitution and found resources necessary to carry this new organization forward.”
Powley, of Chester, is a senior majoring in elementary education. The daughter of Rick and Lynn Powley, she has worked four years at RSS in the customer and employee service and programs area. She plans a career as a junior high teacher.
“Kaela symbolizes customer service and good customer service is the lifeblood of our department,” said Corné Prozesky, assistant director of facilities for RSS. “You can offer promotions and slash prices to bring in as many new customers as you want, but unless you can get some of those customers to come back, your business won’t survive for long. Her good customer service is all about bringing customers back and about sending them away happy -- happy enough to pass positive feedback about our department along to others, who may then try our services for themselves and in turn become repeat customers.”
RSS presents employee of the month awards to student employees in recognition of their outstanding effort and service.
