West Virginia Universitys Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences is honoring five staff members as the units Classified Employees of the Year.

Those being recognized are: Dennis Magaha, farm supervisor, WVU Tree Fruit Research and Education Center at Kearneysville; Sue Myers, manager, Plant and Soil Sciences Greenhouse; Gail Sikorsky, horticulture worker, Plant and Soil Sciences Greenhouse; Susan Slider, research assistant I, Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences; and Ellen Hartley-Smith, administrative associate, Division of Resource Management.

Dennis Magaha

Magaha was recognized in the technical/paraprofessional/non-exempt supervisory category. Magahas daily duties at Kearneysville include supervision of farm staff, equipment operation maintenance and repair, and general maintenance of the orchard structures and grounds associated with the facility.

“Dennis has been my right-hand man and always is willing to go the extra mile to get essential tasks completed in a timely manner,”said David Leach, Kearneysville farm manager.”He takes great pride in his work and is part of the reason this facility over the years has enjoyed the recognition of the fruit growing world.”

Sue Myers

Myers was honored in the administrative/managerial/exempt supervisory category. She manages a facility that serves a number of functions, providing teaching and research support to a number of WVU units and external organizations such as the West Virginia Garden Club.

“Sue is a delight to work with as a person,”said Sven Verlinden, an assistant professor of horticulture in the Davis College.”She is cordial, friendly, professional, and always willing to assist in projects involving teaching and research.”

“Sue is especially good with students,”said Barton Baker, director of the Division of Plant and Soil Sciences.”She establishes a rapport with students and gets the best out of them.”

Gail Sikorsky

Sikorsky, honored in the skills craft/maintenance/operations category, is one of Myerss longtime colleagues and fills a number of crucial roles in Greenhouse operations.

“The activities at the Greenhouse are wide-ranging, often with numerous demands arising at once,”Myers said.”This requires someone who can quickly shift tasks, creatively solve problems, and simply make things work. Gail does this very, very well.”

Sikorskys commitment to students earned special mention.

“She takes the time to talk and really listen to the students who become part of our lives here,”Myers said.”She helps to provide a very valuable, safe, personal space in our large university system.”

Susan Slider

Slider was recognized in the professional category. She provides technical assistance to three laboratory units in the Davis Colleges Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, animal health, reproduction and muscle foods.

“She has provided significant contributions to our mission areas of teaching, research and outreach,”said Paul Lewis, director of the division.

“Susans adoption of a life-long learning philosophy and fantastic people skills are reasons for the exemplary manner in which she does her job as a research assistant I,”said Brett Kenney, an associate professor whose research focuses on meat sciences.

“She has always gone above and beyond the call of duty to meet our needs in a timely manner,”said Harvey Christie of Gourmet Central in Romney.

Ellen Hartley-Smith

Hartley-Smith was recognized in the clerical and secretarial category. She serves as immediate supervisor of all secretarial staff in the Division of Resource Management and manages budget issues for the unit.

“Ellen provides a tremendous service to the Agricultural and Resource Economics faculty, particularly in terms of her management of external grants and contracts,”said Alan Collins, an associate professor in that program.

“Ellen has taken on the additional responsibilities that came with the growth in external funding with good cheer and has been of great assistance to me and to principal investigators,”said Peter Schaeffer, director of the division.

Honorees were nominated by faculty and staff colleagues and selected by a committee of faculty and staff representing each of the Davis Colleges five divisions.