Classified Senate names Darlene Cecil Employee of the Month for August 2020

Classified Senate has named Darlene Cecil, payroll specialist in the Ohio University Payroll Department, the Employee of the Month for August 2020.

This recognition is Classified Senate’s way of awarding those employees who have shown outstanding individual achievement and performance of their jobs, while inspiring and supporting the achievement of others. 

Criteria for selection include:

• Positive attitude and serving as a role model;
• Productivity and commitment to quality;
• Initiative and taking on additional responsibilities

Cecil was nominated by OHIO employee Janice Gieseking. The following is a sample of the comments made about Cecil in the nomination:

“Darlene has held the payroll office together through this whole pandemic while the rest of us work from home. She not only keeps up with her own work, she is able to help all of us keep all of our print jobs, etc. in fine order.”

“Her key accomplishment is keeping our heads above water. She is in the office each and every day doing everything for us. If we have print jobs, she makes sure the output gets where it needs to be instead of leaving a stack of papers for us to sort through. She has taken on more duties to assist international students when they come into the office needing to update specialized paperwork. She is always willing to go over and above to make sure the job is done and people are paid correctly. She is so organized that she never seems to overlook the smallest detail.”

“She stepped in and stepped up with very little training and has made herself irreplaceable in our office. No challenge has been too big for her. She accepts the challenge and makes it all look easy.”
 

Cecil recently answered some get-to-know you questions:
 

How long have you worked at your job?  

I’ve worked for Ohio University for 25 years. I have been privileged to be part of the payroll team for over five years.  
 

What are the most enjoyable things about your job?

In my opinion, the people I work with in payroll are some of the best at Ohio University. The payroll team is supportive, which makes my job more enjoyable. The supervision is the best. I could not ask for more terrific people to assist while working in the office.
 

If you weren’t in your present job, you would be working as a ___? 

Small business owner. 

What hobbies or interests do you enjoy pursuing when you’re not at work?  

I love music, playing the keyboard and singing. My new creations are heat pressing creations on shirts. In my spare time, I etch glass, cut decals and personalize coffee mugs, etc. The list goes on and on.

What is something that most people don’t know about you?  

I love to play the keyboard/organ and sing. My word search skills are pretty good.

What is your favorite saying or quote?  

If you can choose to be anything, be kind.

More information is available on the Classified Senate website about the Employee of the Month program, including a nomination form.