Employees of the month honored

January: Arnold L. “Arnie” Johnson
Classified employee of the month

Started at KU:Arnie Johnson joined the KU staff in November 1993, when he was hired as a temporary custodial worker in the Department of Student Housing. Four months later he became a regular, full-time member of the staff.

Current title: He has held a variety of positions in housing and now serves as a custodial specialist in Corbin Residence Hall.

What that means: Johnson is responsible for floor care, trash removal, minor maintenance and other related duties.

Notable: Johnson’s attendance is exemplary, his performance excellent and his work ethic outstanding. When he is asked to complete a project, there is no need to repeat the request or to check on progress—the project will be finished and be done right.

Recent feat: Last summer, the department undertook several remodeling projects in GSP/Corbin, and the water supply, electricity and air conditioning often were turned off for long periods of time. Staff members worked around the remodeling projects to prepare the buildings for fall occupancy. Fortunately, Johnson can adapt to changing situations and find solutions to problems as they arise. He did whatever was needed to keep the work going and the staff relatively comfortable, from acquiring barrels to haul water from Corbin to GSP to finding long extension cords so fans could be used in areas where there was no power.

January: Noelle Kurth
Unclassified employee of the month

Started at KU: Noelle Kurth began working for the Center for Research on Learning as a student and was hired as a staff member upon graduation.

Current title: She now serves as a project coordinator in the center’s Division of Adult Studies.

What that means: Kurth is responsible for the Working Healthy research project and a new grant focusing on literacy for people with disabilities.

Notable: Kurth’s colleagues praise her work ethic, her interest in learning anything new and her willingness to take on any task, no matter how simple or complex it might be. She is an excellent problem solver, working collaboratively with colleagues at the center and staff in state agencies to address problems as they arise. She goes out of her way to help co-workers, offering assistance, direction and feedback as needed. Her supervision of student employees is especially noteworthy. She has high expectations of them because she wants them to develop marketable skills. At the same time, she is encouraging and brings out the best in each of them. Kurth also has been instrumental in the production of materials that are used widely and have set the Kansas state standard for adult education.

Recent feat: With a colleague, Kurth researched, developed and submitted the grant proposal. The grant will provide $200,000 per year for five years to support research in this important area of literacy.