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By Jana Jones, student writer, from Tech Topics June 6, 2003

Staff Council has announced the recipients of this year's Employee Excellence Awards.
Building Attendant Michael Marcotte was honored in the crafts/maintenance/food
service/technical category. Staff Assistant Patti Myllyoja was the chosen recipient in the office
professional category, and Julie Bingham was selected for the award in the
administrative/professional category. All three will be honored at Convocation and recognized
at a luncheon in the fall.

Marcotte is responsible for the maintenance and operations of the R. L. Smith Mechanical
Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Building. "My job is pretty much taking care of the interior
of the whole building," Marcotte explained. "I was quite surprised to find out I'd won [the
Employee Excellence Award]."

He was nominated by Sherry Saarinen, who remembers him from when her department was
still located in the ME-EM building.

"It has been almost four years since our department has moved from the R. L. Smith building,
and yet I still recall how well Michael took care of the building," Saarinen wrote. "When an
employee makes an impression on someone, and it stays with them long after they have had
any contact with that employee, then it's time to do something about it."

Marcotte has worked at Michigan Tech for almost 29 years. He began in Wadsworth Hall, and
has since worked in almost every other University building.

"He does a pretty good job," a coworker grinned. "He's very efficient--sometimes almost too
efficient."

"[Michael] made certain that there were no unnecessary delays in repairs," Saarinen wrote.
"Although he is a man of few words, he was pleasant and took the time to inform us as to what
the problems were and how they should be fixed."

If you ask Stephan Olsson, the director of Alumni Relations, he will tell you, "Ask anyone that
works with and knows Patti [Myllyoja], and they will say she is an absolute jewel, a wonderful
and important resource for Michigan Tech and a powerhouse of an employee."

Myllyoja works for Alumni Relations, located in the Meese Center. She assists alumni and
friends with questions about the office or University, works with the Alumni Association Board
of Directors and manages daily operations of the office.

"I truly enjoy my job and have been fortunate to work with great people," Myllyoja said. "I have
met so many wonderful people working for the Office of Alumni Relations. We come in contact
with alums and friends from all over the world, and it is always interesting to hear stories that
they have to share."

Among her other responsibilities, Myllyoja assists with special events that the Alumni Office
holds, oversees bulk mailings, prepares financial statements and helps design, edit and
produce promotional material. Myllyoja has been at the University since 1994 and with the
Alumni Association since 1995.

Fred Koerschner, a past president of the Alumni Board of Directors, praised Patti, saying,
"[She is a] person of high integrity. When she makes a commitment to do something you can
count on it being done the way she promised. She has a strong work ethic and is focused on
delivering results and continually improving the organization and herself."

"Everything Patti touches is done well. She has accomplished more for Michigan Tech and for
Alumni Relations than any Alumni Relations staff person in history," Olsson said.

Bingham, who works in the College of Engineering, was nominated for the Employee
Excellence Award by 11 different people, including former supervisors, coworkers and current
supervisors.

"I have yet to meet another person who cares about the particulars of their job in the same
manner as Julie does," said coworker Sherry Saarinen of Bingham.

"I was very surprised to hear that I was selected to receive this award," Bingham said. "I feel
honored to be put in the same category as people like Bill Matkin, Jerry Dion and Mark
Mylloyoja, who are all past recipients of the Employee Excellence Award."

Bingham has worked at the University for 14 years as a full-time employee.

"Julie is the person that everyone [in the College] contacts when they have questions
regarding budgets or University paperwork," said Dean of Engineering Robert Warrington
when nominating Bingham. "Her advice and guidance is continually sought after, and she
gives it professionally and with a smile. She is a major reason for the effectiveness of the
College of Engineering at Michigan Tech."

Other nominees for the award were Mike Abbott, John Gagnon, Dale Kero, Peter Larsen, Jeff
Lewin, Scott Pollins, Pat Asselin Rastello, Charles Schaefer, Dean Seppala, Dave Strong,
Ramona Backman, Maggie Riley, Sherry Saarinen and Carol Wiitanen.