Staff honored for service to the university 

By Lori Wright, Media Relations

PAT, EE and operating staff recently were honored for service to the university at the annual staff recognition ceremony.

Nearly 200 people received longevity awards, including Michaele Canfield, a senior administrative assistant with the Education Department, who was honored for 40 years of service. For a complete list of those recognized for longevity, visit http://www.unh.edu/news/campusjournal/2005/may/051105longevity.html.

(From L to R) Nicole Cavicchi, CSDC; Deborah Cheever, Cooperative Extension; Stephanie Higgs, Counseling Center; President Ann Weaver Hart; Kate Ferreira, Center for Graduate & Professional Studies, UNHM; and Shawn Roche, NHPTV received the Presidential Award of Excellence at the recent staff recognition ceremony. (UNH Photo Services)

In addition, five staff members received the Presidential Award of Excellence, which recognizes exceptional service to the university. They are: Kate Ferreira, Nicole M. Cavicchi, Deborah J. Cheever, Stephanie Higgs and Shawn Roche.

“Any graduate student who attends a class at UNH Manchester will be able to tell you about Kate Ferreira. They may tell how they met her, or about the personal attention they received in coming to the Center's office, and how she is always available to students, regardless of the hour. If the light is on in the office, her door is open, and she is both present and available,” President Ann Weaver Hart said.

Ferreira is director of the UNH Center for Graduate and Professional Studies at UNHM. According to the president, she has been the inspirational leader of the center since its inception four years ago. Since that time, enrollments have nearly tripled. Those who nominated her called her "caring, considerate, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic," and "the best possible face of UNH."

All those who work with Nicole M. Cavicchi, early childhood teacher with the Child Study and Development Center, “know that she is passionate about teaching and goes far beyond her role as a kindergarten teacher to educate and lead others, and to make a difference at the Child Study and Development Center,” Hart said.

A 1992 family studies graduate with a master’s in early childhood education, Cavicchi mentors student interns, presents and hosts conferences, and hosts workshops in her field. She is often asked to address undergraduate family studies classes at UNH. In addition to teaching, Cavicchi has taken a lead role in maintaining the center's Web site and serves on the center's Web site committee and its 75th anniversary committee.

Deborah Cheever, Cooperative Extension educator with 4-H Youth Development, has administered the Merrimack County 4-H program for 28 years and annually manages more than 200 volunteers who, in turn, reach more than 500 youth each year. She also oversees three countywide volunteer boards and collaborates with other UNH Cooperative Extension staff and specialists on volunteer administration; youth development; and children, youth, and family issues.

“Her work is extensive and far-reaching. In more ways than can be listed today, Debbie brings UNH to people in communities and helps them to feel that this is their university,” Hart said.

At the University Counseling Center, office manager Stephanie Higgs is considered friendly, fair, compassionate, organized and diplomatic, and she’s always looking to make the office run more efficiently. Currently the chair of the Operating Staff Council, she has been instrumental in creating the Family Friendly Leave Proposal, the Adopt-A-UNH-Spot Proposal, the IDEA Employee Suggestion Program, and the Compassionate Leave Policy. In addition, she has served as a Judicial and Mediation Program volunteer and is a member of the UNH Community Connections Council.

“Communication between the OS/PAT/EE councils is a common goal for all councils, and Stephanie keeps the PAT/EE chair connected and informed about the Operating Staff's perspective on issues. As one nominator wrote, ‘Stephanie shines in her dedication to making UNH a better place to work, not only for operating staff but for the entire university community,’ ” Hart said.

Since Shawn Roche, facility manager at New Hampshire Public Television, joined the station, his coworkers say the station sparkles under his care. “Shawn continually goes beyond his everyday duties of maintaining a safe, comfortable, clean, and presentable work environment. And he has become a master at tackling all challenges that come his way — always with a cheerful, unselfish attitude,” the president said.

“His ingenuity is legendary. When the need arose, he constructed a loading ramp using leftover material from previous projects. When Mail Services could not provide a pickup, he transported packages himself. He has provided makeshift ventilation and cooling in stifling summer heat when the air conditioning failed, and cleared a skating rink for the production crew to shoot scenes. When a big event was imminent, he came in on a weekend to shampoo rugs, replace carpet runners, and plow back the snow banks in the parking lot to save the station expenses,” Hart said. “He has been known to clean off staff cars in the middle of snowstorms; and, after work hours, as a certified kayak instructor, he has instructed staff on kayak safety.”