Weeklong celebration honors student employees

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University will recognize some 4,000 student employees during the 26th annual Student Employee Appreciation Week Feb. 20-24.

The theme for this year's appreciation week is "Student Employees are Superheroes." Career and Student Employment Services, which sponsors the week, is accepting nominations through Thursday, Feb. 16, for the awards it bestows in conjunction with the observance.

The week is a time to honor all student employees for their hard work and the many ways they contribute to WMU. It also provides an opportunity to showcase the University's outstanding student employees and the outstanding staff members who supervisor them.

Students may make nominations for the Supervisor of the Year award while faculty and staff members may make nominations for the Belleville Student Employee of the Year award.

The 2012 award winners and nominees will be announced as well as celebrated during a reception Thursday, Feb. 23, in the Bernhard Center's West Ballroom. All nominees and their nominators will receive an invitation to the reception. The event will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m., but those attending are asked to check in by 3 p.m.

WMU faculty and staff members are encouraged to submit award nominations and to thank their student workers in some way during appreciation week. While supplies last, the career services office will provide small gifts that may be used as thank-yous for student workers. Gift requests must be received by Monday, Feb. 13.

The office also has developed a list of suggestions for other ways to thank student employees and makes available a template that can be used to create certificates of appreciation.

For more information and to obtain or request appreciation week materials, visit wmich.edu/career/studentemployment/seaw/nominate. Direct questions to Brenda Case-Parris at @email or (269) 387-2725.