Colleagues honored for their commitment to Brandeis

More than 1,700 years of service recognized

When Leslie Reicher started working at Brandeis in 1969, the university was a mere 21 years old, President Richard Nixon was in his first year of office and the United States would amaze the world by landing a man on the moon.

Forty-five years later, Reicher, preservation officer and special projects coordinator in the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections, was one of 114 employees celebrated for their service to the university during the 2014 Employee Recognition Awards luncheon in the Sherman Function Hall on Jan. 9.

University employees who reached service milestones ranging from 10 to 45 years were recognized at the annual luncheon and two awards were presented. Ellen Rounseville, academic administrator in Romance Languages, received the Lou Ennis Staff Award, and Kelly Whiffen, department coordinator of Student Activities and Community Service, who was presented with the Louis and Helen Zirkel Staff Award.

The Lou Ennis Staff Award, named for the former assistant vice president for employee relations who retired in 1995, recognizes a staff member who provides administrative services, is loyal and dedicated to Brandeis and its mission, and has history of contributing to the well being of the university.

The Louis and Helen Zirkel Staff Award is given to a member of the support staff who has demonstrated consistent effort to improve the service and the operation of their department and of the university. The honor was established by Lehigh University Professor Perry A. Zirkel, a friend of former Brandeis President Sam Thier, and is named for Zirkel’s parents.

In presenting the Ennis Award to Rounseville, Paola Servino, senior lecturer in Italian Studies, said Rounseville’s professionalism and commitment to the department, in addition to her composure, cultural awareness and humor, has made her a key and widely respected member of the department.

Stephanie Grimes, assistant dean of students, was pleased to honor Whiffen with the Zirkel Staff Award in recognition of her commitment to the job, her willingness to help others even when she was extremely busy, and her ability to always have a smile and positive attitude.

Both received a $500 award in addition to having their names engraved on a plaque that recognizes past winners of the awards.

More information on the staff awards and previous winners is available on the Employee Recognition Awards page.