Fisher College of Business has honored two exemplary employees with Coykendale Awards, which are presented each year as part of the college’s ongoing commitment to recognize and reward dedicated staff members.

Andrea Evans, (above left) associate director of orientation in the Undergraduate Programs Office, took home the Coykendale Service Excellence Award. Katie Reynolds, assistant director for undergraduate student career development in Fisher’s Office of Career Management, was named the recipient of the Coykendale Rising Star Award.

These accolades are presented annually to two Fisher staff members who demonstrate excellence in their work and have integrated one or more of the college’s core values into their impeccable daily performance. The Rising Star Award goes to a full- or part-time staff member with less than five years at Fisher; the Service Excellence Award goes to someone with five or more years of experience. The awards honor Cindy Coykendale, who provided more than 35 years of dedicated service to the college.

“I recognize that I’m very lucky to work in an office that is super supportive,” Evans said. “These are the people who nominated me and helped me along the way and supported me in everything I’ve done. Any victory is a testament to their support and what they’ve done for me over the years.

“As academic advisors, we meet with students and get to make some kind of impact on their lives for the better. We get that positive feedback and reward all the time. I think that’s what’s kept me here.”

Reynolds was also stunned by the announcement.

“There were so many people deserving of the honor I know and have worked with, and I wish everyone could have that. But I’m just truly thankful for my experience,” she said.

“Even with a population of 7,400 students in the undergraduate program, there are times that I will have a student come back to me, and it’s really exciting to see them grow. There are times they thank me in person, and that’s just a really nice feeling to have students see our value in the educational process.”

For the 2017 awards, faculty, staff and students anonymously nominated 19 individuals who were reviewed by a selection committee organized by Fisher’s Shared Services Center.

“Katie has been an amazing asset to the Office of Career Management and has made significant contributions to Fisher students, Fisher College of Business, and The Ohio State University in just a little over two years,” stated one of the nominations for Reynolds. “The core values we observe Katie exemplify on a daily basis are trust and collaboration.”

Additionally, her peers stated her “initiative and strength as a teammate contributes immensely to the positive culture in the Office of Career Management and the student experience at Fisher. She displays a ‘can do’ attitude at all times, and many days she is on campus from early morning until night to ensure that Fisher students are supported.”

The nominations for Evans were equally positive.

“Andrea continues to take on increasing responsibility, volunteering for projects, working late, and putting in countless hours to make our advising program better. She never stops trying to improve, and on numerous occasions she has come up with valuable ideas and strategies for working with students and streamlining processes and procedures,” one of her colleagues wrote.

“We continue to be impressed by her ability to communicate straightforward (often difficult) information to students and still be able to close the advising session on a positive note.”