Core Values Recognition Program

“In 2020, Professor Bollinger helped write an open-access textbook for MATH 140 perfectly aligned to the topics, order, and difficulty-level expected for the course that already has saved over 4,700 students the cost of a textbook. The text starts each section with learning objectives that are used to guide the examples, homework problems, and chapter review problems. The text is written at an accessible level for our Math 140 students yet maintains mathematical accuracy. Their book is complete with ample examples, ‘try it’ problems, notes to the students, homework problems (at three different difficulty levels), and chapter review problems. They even included a complete chapter as the appendix to help students with expected prerequisite material that often causes them difficulty. They have also written excellent class notes and homework problems. Their efforts have already helped thousands of students and will continue to help thousands of additional students each year. In addition to her work with Math 140 and being highly dedicated to teaching her own students, Professor Bollinger serves as an advisor for our math majors, on the Honor Council and for several years as a Corps Academic Mentor.”

“In 2020, Professor Coffelt helped write an open-access textbook for MATH 140 perfectly aligned to the topics, order, and difficulty-level expected for the course that already has saved over 4,700 students the cost of a textbook. The text starts each section with learning objectives that are used to guide the examples, homework problems, and chapter review problems. The text is written at an accessible level for our Math 140 students yet maintains mathematical accuracy. Their book is complete with ample examples, ‘try it’ problems, notes to the students, homework problems (at three different difficulty levels), and chapter review problems. They even included a complete chapter as the appendix to help students with expected prerequisite material that often causes them difficulty. They have also written excellent class notes and homework problems. Their efforts have already helped thousands of students and will continue to help thousands of additional students each year. In addition to her work with Math 140, and being incredibly dedicated to teaching her own students, Professor Coffelt also stepped up to help our department transition to online learning last March and has continued that effort as we transition to Canvas. She has hosted numerous training sessions and has also individually helped faculty via email, via Zoom, and in person. She is very responsive to our faculty, which has helped us serve our students better over this last year.”

Andrea is a valuable asset in our graduate advising, and this includes strong professional skills in working with diverse learners. The majority of our students are international, and Andrea has proven herself to be capable of working with all students in a compassionate and professional manner. She has demonstrated knowledge, care and advocacy for each of them to progress. She has also given personal attention to some students who were facing hardships and struggles during their academic progression. As one recent example, Andrea coordinated a virtual presentation and a pick-up luncheon to commemorate the department’s annual Lunar New Year Celebration for 2021 in a safe and socially distanced manner. This event brought cultural comfort, and it also broke some of the isolation that many people were feeling during the pandemic. Even though she couldn’t decorate for the event as she normally would have, Andrea commemorated a virtual experience that expanded cultural horizons throughout the department. She continually demonstrates excellence in advising our students by interacting with and advising them in a way that creates an inclusive environment and a sound mentoring structure for them and for our department.

“2020 was a challenging year for everyone. The Cyclotron Institute was no exception. When the pandemic hit and most of the university was shut down, the Cyclotron had to keep running because of our essential service to the Air Force and others in the defense sector. This was a non-trivial exercise, as we had to run with a reduced staff and assure the health and safety of everyone — both users and employees. Maintenance on the machines was a particular challenge, but in the end, the Cyclotron was able to run all year with no known transmission of COVID in the laboratory. This incredible feat is due to the entire operations staff but particularly the LEADERSHIP of Leigh Gathings.”

“Sherree is among the most hardworking and highest-quality individuals I have had the privilege of getting to know during my time at Texas A&M. She is tireless in the effort she puts toward supporting the physics majors that she advises, and as a result, it is commonly known among the undergraduates in the Physics Department that if we ever feel lost, stressed, overwhelmed, or any combination, we can always go to Sherree to get some reassuring perspective. Despite COVID dramatically changing the face of higher education (and students’ needs), Sherree continued to do what she could to continue to support the Physics Department without missing a beat. I admire Sherree for her daily exhibited Excellence and Selfless Service, and I am confident that she is one of the primary reasons that most current physics majors are still in the major today.”

“Over the past year in particular, during the many challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Denise was a stabilizing force… . She is remarkably efficient, and I am constantly amazed at her skill at multitasking. This was especially true this year as many staff and faculty were working remotely and struggling — the effort to maintain excellence and meet deadlines was remarkable. I am continuously reminded how valuable she is to the department, often working behind the scenes without as much recognition as she certainly deserves. She an individual who plays an essential role in the department, routinely exceeding expectations, demonstrating initiative, taking ownership of tasks, and importantly displaying pride in the quality of her work… . Her Loyalty to the department and her Selfless Service are shining examples to the rest of the staff… . Our department is extremely fortunate to have her working to advance our mission and support our activities. She is truly outstanding.”

“Sherry Floyd is the front-line person in an office where 99 percent of people go when they are in need of something (looking for a person, an item, answer to a question, etc.). She has become a ‘jack of all trades,’ so to speak, as you just never know what the next customer is going to need. She goes above and beyond in making sure everything continues to run smoothly, no matter the circumstances. When our departmental mailroom was unavailable due to construction, she delivered each day’s mail to individual offices. When the Blocker Building began locking outside business hours, some of our faculty had questions, so Ms. Floyd took each one in person to show them how to use their ID cards to gain entry. She has a knack for tracking down that one specific it item that someone needs to facilitate their job. Her quiet and comforting manner puts everyone at ease as they are being taken care of.”

“The heavy-ion beams from the cyclotron originate in an ion source before being accelerated. In early
November 2020, the ECR [electron cyclotron resonance] source on the K500 experienced a catastrophic failure. After 20-plus years of operation, the plasma burned a hole in the side of the plasma chamber, thus taking the cyclotron offline until it could be fixed. The Department of Energy was calling to see how long we would be offline, as we were the only accelerator in the nation delivering SEE [Single Event Effects] beams at the time. As this is not a quick fix (we may have it done by June 2021), this could have ended our running year prematurely. Gabi put development of his own program aside and dedicated his effort to delivering ions to the cyclotron from his ion source. Due to the creativity and EXCELLENCE demonstrated by Gabi, we were able to reroute beams from his CBECR [Charge Breeding ECR] on the light ion guide to the K500 and deliver beam for the remainder of 2020.”

“Through Garrick Garza’s vision and leadership, he has taken the once-struggling Physics and Astronomy machine shop into one of the most respected and sought-after shops on campus. Whenever a grad student has a project, they always seem to end up in the Physics and Astronomy machine shop. It’s not just the quality of the work, but it’s also because of Garrick, who always listens carefully to their needs and wants. Everyone is treated equally and with the utmost of respect. By tapping into his vast knowledge, he is able to come up with a design to fit their needs and budget. Garrick will also seek input from the two machinists working for him, as they have a combined experience of nearly 90 years in the business.”

“I came to witness firsthand and appreciate the extent of Lieu’s professionalism as a member of this year’s faculty search committee … a grueling task, not only because of the number of virtual meetings that needed to be set for each candidate but also because it went on for no less than 4 weeks… . But perhaps more importantly, she always makes me feel welcome and is ready to help whenever I randomly appear in her office in search of an answer to a question. I know that I am not the only faculty to feel this way, and it is priceless to be supported in such a manner… . She truly embodies the Aggie Spirit and is a pillar of our department. She cares deeply about its success and constantly does what it takes to make it a better place.”

“When COVID required us to change the way the undergraduate advisors interacted with students, McKensie was quick to reach out to us to meet and familiarize us with Zoom. Any time we encountered a technical problem, she was immediately searching for solutions and sharing the best ‘fix’ so we could meet the needs of our students. During the summer when we had to switch to virtual new student conferences for our largest incoming group of students, she made herself available on New Student Conference days to join our Zoom to meet with students. As a former biology student herself, her help was extremely valuable to the incoming students… . McKensie is a remarkable asset to the Biology Department, the University, and our community. She is always ready to give 100% effort and does so willingly and with a smile on her face.”

“Caleb was one of two accelerator techs that camped out 24 hours a day for a couple of days at the Cyclotron during the February freeze. They were each scheduled to be on 12-hour shifts, but because they weren’t sure they would be able to make it back to campus if they went home and knew they needed to be in for their shifts, they stayed. Due to quick action on their part, water leaks in the in the Institute were able to be isolated and fixed before there was significant damage, the cooling tower was kept from freezing, and in general the cyclotrons and auxiliary equipment were kept functioning. Because of their SELFLESS SERVICE, the Cyclotron Institute survived the storm.”

“Daniel was one of two accelerator techs that camped out 24 hours a day for a couple of days at the Cyclotron during the February freeze. They were each scheduled to be on 12-hour shifts, but because they weren’t sure they would be able to make it back to campus if they went home and knew they needed to be in for their shifts, they stayed. Due to quick action on their part, water leaks in the in the Institute were able to be isolated and fixed before there was significant damage, the cooling tower was kept from freezing, and in general the cyclotrons and auxiliary equipment were kept functioning. Because of their SELFLESS SERVICE, the Cyclotron Institute survived the storm.”