Jim Smitherman Recognized with Ruth Crawford Staff Excellence Award

Jim Smitherman, building manager, received the Ruth Crawford Staff Excellence Award at the Holiday Banquet on December 9, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel.

The annual award is named after former senior staff member Ruth Crawford who devoted thirty years of exemplary service to the department working for Dr. John McKetta.  The recipient is selected by a committee convened by the department chair.

“Jim has grown his role, and is someone we all rely on to solve our problems, and does it in a friendly, professional manner,” said Dr. Roger T. Bonnecaze, department chair and T. Brockett Hudson Professor and Bill L. Stanley Endowed Leadership Chair.  “He was described by his nominators as someone who is gracious, always helpful, and takes the initiative to make the department better.”

Smitherman has worked for the department for 14 years and worked his way up from tech staff to building manager.

“This award means a lot to me knowing how much Ruth has done for our department and Dr. McKetta,” Smitherman said. “Working in chemical engineering I get to work with a very knowledgeable group of people every day and I feel extremely honored to be recognized with this award.”