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MICHELLE LÉJEUNE
ME STAFF AWARD RECIPIENT, FALL 2002:
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The Fall 2002 Departmental Staff Excellence Award was presented to
Michelle Léjeune. Michelle works with
Dr. John Goodenough, where she tackles the immense administrative, financial, and student-related
activities of Dr. Goodenough and his research activities. The Award is based upon three criteria: Productivity
(which includes quality and quantity of work, meeting deadlines, performance consistency, and
accomplishment), Advancing of Department Morale (including being a team player, being helpful,
having a positive attitude, cooperating for the benefit of both internal and external customers),
and Risk-taking/Innovating (such as taking on responsibility, showing initiative, and going
above and beyond specific job duties). Michelle has demonstrated superior performance with regard to these
criteria since she began here in October of 2000.
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As Dr. Goodenough describes it, Michelle's productivity is the result of superior computer skills, an
extremely positive attitude toward the work, an intelligent budgeting of her time, and a confident
politeness in her dealings with others."
Rosalie Foster, who works with both of them, says, "Michelle
handles all of Dr. Goodenough's requests accurately, timely, and efficiently. She is the first person that
I've seen in that position that can actually complete Dr. Goodenough's requests and be ready to take on
more without stress because she can keep up with the workload so well."
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Michelle moves forward, with
Dr. Goodenough in the background.
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"Since her arrival," says Postdoctoral Fellow Ronald Dass, "Michelle has proven to be an invaluable and
indispensable part of our team. She is extremely efficient and well organized, helpful and approachable,
keen and insightful, willing and able to learn and perform new tasks, kind and compassionate, and
demonstrates perseverance in all that she does."
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Dr. Beaman rewards Michelle
with the "big check".
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Michelle's efforts and work ethic positively affect all with whom whe interacts. "Handling of student, post-doc,
and visitor problems with intelligence and cheerfulness does wonders for the morale of the group", says Dr.
Goodenough. "By paying bills promptly, she gets excellent service from the vendors; and rapid delivery of orders
also helps morale. Finally, she relates positively with all the member of the 8th and
9th floors, but her focus is on my [research] group." She has been cited by many members of the
group for her willingness to go out of her way in helping foreign students and visitors to become situated and
comfortable in their new surroundings.
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She has also demonstrated an energetic and innovative approach to solving problems the research group faces
on a regular basis. Her efforts have not only increased the efficiency with which these problems are solved, but
her efforts have led to increased satisfaction of the group members and enhanced relationships with vendors
and other groups around campus. From Rosalie Foster's support letter, "Michelle interacts with various offices on
campus, including the Dean's Office, the Department of Electrical Engineering, the Office of Sponsored Projects,
the Office of Accounting, Contracts and Grants, Accounts Payable, Purchasing, Payroll, and the International
Office. She also establishes positive relationships with vendors, making sure that purchases are received
correctly and that invoices are paid promptly. ... She makes it a goal to handle invoices within 24-48 hours upon
receipt, so that vendors are paid quickly and on time, promoting a good business relationship between UT and
the community."
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Michelle has developed a new system for maintaining and refilling gas cylanders owned by the group. The
problem of keeping an accurate inventory and timely refilling of the canisters had plagued them for many
years. Her innovative solution has helped keep an accurate accounting of the materials, forged a positive
relationship with the suppliers, and allowed the researchers to devote their time and energy to the work at
hand, rather than deal with the distractions that accompanied the process previously. She has also similarly
redefined cumbersome or unweildy issues with purchasing and international guests.
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Michelle cuts the cake.
Let the celebration begin!
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"Michelle is the kind of person that makes the Mechanical Engineering Department work so well." "... She is
respected and well-liked by all who know her on the 9th floor. She brings integrity and a positive
work ethic that is exemplary and makes her a joy to work with." Congratulations to Michelle Léjeune, the
2002 ME Staff Excellence Award winner!
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