Staff Excellence Awards

Announcing the 2010 Thompson Award Recipients

Morningside College presented the 2010 Thomas S. Thompson Staff Excellence Awards to Jim Braunschweig 2006, electronic communication specialist; Chris Delfs 2009, computer services manager; Jeanette Frey 1995, accountant; Jay Malin, head groundskeeper; Michelle Robinson, assistant director of student financial planning; and Jenny Welp, publications editor and writer. Malin also was named Staff Employee of the Year. Recipients were selected based upon their demonstration of outstanding dedication, service and commitment to Morningside and its students during the 2009-2010 academic year. President John Reynders presented the awards at the annual holiday and recognition banquet in December. Each recipient received a cash bonus. Funding for the annual awards comes from an endowment established by Margaret Thompson, wife of the late Thomas S. Thompson, who served as president of Morningside from 1969 to 1978.

Braunschweig began working for the college in 2006 as an admissions counselor. In 2008, he was named electronic communication specialist in the admissions department with responsibility for supporting recruiting efforts and electronic communications with prospective students and their parents. Braunschweig has championed the use of social media at Morningside to extend and enhance communication with prospective students and parents, alumni, friends and current students. He has Facebooked, tweeted and blogged extensively about the Morningside experience, and he has encouraged students to share their Morningside experiences through social media.

Delfs started working for Morningside in 2006 as a computer technician in the college’s information services department. He was promoted to computer services manager in 2008 with responsibility for computer support to students, faculty and staff. When confronted with a computer hardware or software issue, Delfs listens carefully, asks the right questions and wastes no time getting the problem solved. Staff members have had positive experiences when working with him, and so have students. Patient, helpful and respectful are just some of the words people use to describe him. Frey joined the college in 2007 as an accountant in the business office. She is responsible for billing, accounts receivable and working with students on their accounts. Frey provides excellent customer service to students, their parents and other college employees. She makes sure students who come into contact with her get reassurance if they are nervous; patient, calming words if they are angry; and a high five if they are proud of an accomplishment. She also helps our students learn about personal finance by obtaining and distributing information on “40 Money Management Tips Every College Student Should Know.” Malin was hired as head groundskeeper at Morningside in 2007. He is responsible for the cultivation and maintenance of all landscaping on the college’s campus. He also works to ensure the success of large on-campus events such as Commencement and Homecoming. When visitors step onto the campus, their initial impressions are formed in part by what they see around them: beautifully manicured lawns; colorful, thriving flower beds; and well-tended trees and bushes. Or in the winter, they notice that all of the sidewalks are clear and free of ice and snow. Under Malin’s direction and guidance, the landscaping at Morningside College has never looked better. Robinson came to work for Morningside in 1997 as a student financial planning counselor. She was promoted to assistant director of student financial planning in 1998 with responsibilities for loan processing, scholarships and financial aid counseling. She works with students before, during and after their time at Morningside College, helping them with the complex and ever-changing world of financial aid. As enrollment growth and changing federal and state regulations have impacted the student financial planning office, she has continued to come to work each day with a get-the-job-done attitude. Welp joined Morningside in 2007 as a writer in the college’s public relations department, and she was promoted to publications editor and writer in 2010. She always puts forth her best effort, whether she is writing a speech for the president, preparing material for the admissions office or putting together a news release to promote a college event. As editor and principal writer for The Morningsider, she has portrayed the college as a vital and growing institution that has a positive impact on the lives of students.