2005 President's QSA Winner: Biological Sciences Office Team

There have been many teams annointed the "Fab Four" through the years.

UC’s Biology Department considers itself to be the benefactor of another team worthy of the name – the Biological Sciences Office Team of Mary Killeen, Sandy McGeorge, Charmaine Mitchell and Mary Wischer.

Combined the team has 82 years of experience helping to make the department run. In all those years of working side-by-side, they have acquired a sense of camaraderie and professionalism that make them a model for how departmental offices can operate.

"Mary Killeen, Mary Wischer, Charmaine Mitchell and Sandy McGeorge comprise an amazing group of individuals who maintain a sense of humor while endearing themselves to everyone they come in contact with," praises Patricia Woods, assistant dean of Administrative Affairs in the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, who points out that Biology is a special challenge since its size rivals that of several other UC colleges. "This is truly a group of individuals that should be cloned as ‘atypical’ employees deserving recognition for the quality service beyond the Department of Biological Sciences."

Guy Cameron, professor and department head in Biology, goes as far as to say their abilities are a primary reason why he agreed to a second term as department head.

"These women are dedicated to their jobs and provide exceptionally high quality service, treat all with dignity and respect, are friendly and enthusiastic, exhibit the highest quality work, are totally dependable, and are one of the most positive forces in our department," Cameron says.

He adds that their experience allows them to serve as perfect backups for each other. "There is no down time in the department if one is out sick or on vacation – one of the others just steps in to help."

That’s not to say that each doesn’t bring her own individual strengths to the team.

Killeen, the department’s Records Management Officer, has been with the department for 24 years and is undergraduate program coordinator. She has taken on the role over the years of developing the office’s computer skills. Plus, says one faculty member, "Her generosity of spirit is awesome. She will help students, biology faculty, a stranger who comes into the office asking for information, faculty from another department who got locked out of his classroom – you name it!"

McGeorge, the department’s Business Manager, has been with the department for 16 years and oversees all department funds and sponsored programs. She’s become known department-wide for her expertise on matters pertaining to grant applications. Says one faculty member: "Sandy has come in to help me get grant proposals completed even when she was quite ill and should have been in bed. On several occasions, she has come in on weekends to help me work on federal grant proposals and make their deadlines."

Mitchell, the department’s Purchasing Agent, has been with the department 27 years and is responsible for purchasing, reimbursements and payroll. She is lauded throughout the department of her organizational talents. One new faculty member recalls being impressed by a call from Mitchell even before arriving on campus, with the intent being to make sure the lab would have the essentials needed upon arrival. LaVenia Simms, senior buyer in Purchasing, calls Mitchell an exceptional representative of her department. "Since I work with many different departments at the university, I have had the chance to work with many different individuals who work in the same capacity as Charmaine," Simms says. "It is rare that I come across any who are as well-informed, competent and friendly."

Wischer, the department’s Administrative Support Specialist, has been with Biology for 15 years and has responsibilities as the head secretary for personnel matters and the graduate program. She is renown for her professional confidence and competence, and creating a sense of order around her. "Nothing that I have ever presented to Mary as ‘challenges’ ever has been thrown back at first-blush as something that can’t be done," says one faculty member. "It may ultimately turn out that way, but Mary always looks at the problem in a positive way, and is extremely valuable as a terrific problem-solver."

The ultimate compliment for the combined power of the "Fab Four" comes in a joint letter from the Biology faculty. "Finally, the team can be compared to a department head in terms of what a faculty member most desires from these individuals – that they help the faculty reach their full potential. Our office team is the paradigm of helping faculty reach their potential…"