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Abbott to Receive Service Award
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MARCH 30, 2004 -- Mike Abbott will receive the 2004 Clair M. Donovan Award for Outstanding Service.
The Blue Key National Honor Society presents the award annually to an MTU student, faculty or staff member for exemplary service during the preceding year.
"It's pretty humbling," said Abbott, manager of quality service and recreation for Auxiliary Services. "I'm honored to be mentioned," both with those nominated and with previous Donovan recipients. "I know most of the award winners going back 20 years."
Abbott held a variety of positions at Michigan Tech before joining the Auxiliary Services staff two and one-half years ago. He earned a BS in Biological Sciences and an MS in Business Administration, both from Michigan Tech.
Abbott was nominated by Physical Education Department Chair Cheryl DePuydt, who cited his extensive efforts in the development of the MTU Ski Trails. "Mike has done an outstanding job," she said. "Due to his efforts, we have some of the best trails in the country."
Working on the trails has been "absolutely" a labor of love, Abbott said. "It's the best project I've worked on in the 22 years I've been here," he said.
An avid skier and mountain biker, he notes that recent improvements in the trails have been a cooperative endeavor. "It's been a terrific collaborative effort," he said, listing MTU's administration, Undergraduate Student Government, the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, the Athletic Department, Auxiliary Services, "and the community, both the campus community and the community at large."
"Mike is getting this award because of how much he values the community," said Abbott's supervisor, Auxiliary Services Director Howard Greenley. "It's fitting that he receive it after all these years of dedication.
"He really cares," Greenley added. "That dedication comes from deep down. He's not looking for awards or rewards, it's just who he is."
"Mike always goes the extra mile to provide quality service," DePuydt said in nominating Abbott. "I witnessed him helping a person find their wallet. He played detective and then personally drove the customer down to campus to pick up the lost wallet.
"I'm sure that's not in his job description."
For his part, Abbott feels he gets at least as much as he gives. "I can't believe I am lucky enough to do all this stuff," he said.
Abbott and his wife, Kathy, live in Atlantic Mine. |
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