Human Resources Announces Employees of the Quarter (October-December)

Human Resources has announced the Employees of the Quarter for October 1-December 31, 2008: Lori Smith-Watson, assistant director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation, and Anthony Jackson, plumber in Facilities Management.

Lori Smith-Watson ‘85, assistant director of undergraduate admissions and orientation, has been named UMBC’s Exempt Employee of the Quarter effective Wednesday, October 1, to Wednesday, December 31. She began her career at UMBC in 1986, working in the admissions department as an admissions counselor and was later promoted to her current position of assistant director.
Smith-Watson was nominated by Dale Bittinger, director of undergraduate admissions and orientation.
“As assistant director, Lori is primarily responsible for supervising the four admissions counselors, as well as the transfer coordinator, and overseeing the university’s undergraduate admissions recruitment travel,” Bittinger said. “Lori not only provides leadership and direction but also teaches those she supervises how to be professional.”
In her role as assistant director, Smith-Watson has been especially instrumental in providing recommendations for changes in terms of preparing for the PeopleSoft SA.
Bittinger said Smith-Watson is someone who “lives and breathes UMBC.” She still holds records for field hockey from when she was a student, met her husband at UMBC and volunteers with the alumni association in her free time.
Smith-Watson received her award Wednesday, October 1, at a staff meeting for undergraduate admissions and orientation staff.
Anthony (Tony) Jackson, plumber, has been named UMBC’s Non-Exempt Employee of the Quarter effective October 1 to December 31. Jackson began his career with the University System of Maryland in 1986 at Towson University. He transferred to UMBC in 1994 working as a maintenance mechanic in the Office of Residential Life and later in Facilities Management. Jackson completed plumbing school and an apprenticeship in May 2002 and in October 2002 began working in his current position of plumber. Last year, Jackson became a master plumber in the state of Maryland.
Jackson was nominated by Jackie Palmer, human resource associate in Facilities Management.
“Anthony is a 28-year state employee that is still a go-getter and motivator,” Palmer said. “He is normally seen on campus with a large smile and a hello. His people skills have given many people on campus the opportunity to meet and remember him.”
Jackson assisted in starting the volunteer list for overtime and has been a volunteer for the snow crew and other emergency situations for years. He also gives introductory instructions to the maintenance assistant of the Office of Residential Life about plumbing on campus. He is also a member of the Bargaining Committee, the Campus Staff Development Committee, the Facilities Staff Development Committee and has served on the Staff Award Committee.
Outside of UMBC, Jackson retired in 1999 with 21 years served from the United States Marine Corps Reserve as a Gunnery Sergeant.
Jackson is a recipient of the Employee of the Month award from several years ago. He serves as the vice president of the local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. He also teaches free martial arts in Baltimore city under the direction of Riley Hawkins.
Jackson received his award Thursday, September 25, at a surprise celebration.