Facilities/Safety/Trades
The Outstanding Classified Employee awards are chosen by nominations received by the Awards Committee from all faculty, staff, and students at VIMS. They are awarded in the categories of Facilities/Safety/Trades, Research and Advisory Service, Technical Support, and Administrative Support.
This year, we are pleased to present the Outstanding Classified Employee in Facilities/Safety/Trades to Becky Kearns.
Becky Kearns truly stands out in her job performance. Even though an hourly employee, she consistently goes far “above and beyond” in her efforts to provide a safe, healthy, and comfortable working environment for the staff in the south wing of Chesapeake Bay Hall. She doesn’t hesitate when asked to help out in other areas of the Institute as well.
It is not unusual to find this dedicated and tireless worker on her hands and knees scrubbing an offensive spot on the floor or cleaning chair legs. She has also been observed up on a ladder, vacuuming the dusty vents in the ceiling. When the windows need washing or the floors need polishing, she cheerfully accepts the challenge. Needless to say the south wing of CBH has never been so clean!
Knowing that a group of people who presented a possible funding opportunity were visiting one of the labs, and that the person responsible for waxing the floors was out, she stayed late and had the floors gleaming for the tour.
Concerned with the appearance of the hallway on the third floor since the ceiling had been leaking and a hose and barrel were being used to collect the water, she found tiles to replace the missing or stained ones, and even cut a hole in one for the hose to pass through. Always keeping her assigned area immaculate, always with a friendly word, always there to help when needed, the richly deserving recipient of this award is Becky Kearns!
Congratulations, Becky!