Staff Senate announces September U-Shine award winner UND Staff Senate is proud to announce the September “U Shine Award” recipient Tatjyana Richards, Office of International Programs. Tatjyana was nominated by William Young and was presented with a check for $50 and a certificate by Staff Senate president Loren Liepold on Sept. 2. This award is presented monthly to a UND staff member who went out of their way to make UND a better place. Here is an excerpt of what Young had to say about Tatjyana: “Tatjyana is the Office Manager at the Office of International Programs and the glue that holds the International Centre together. As the central figure at the Office of International Programs, Tatjyana’s professionalism and personal touch impacts not only the staff of the International Centre, but more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate international students, professors, research scholars, medical residents, professional staff, as well as more than 200 American students seeking to study abroad in foreign lands each year. She is always the first person to volunteer to assist with the numerous international gatherings at UND, including the coordination of a meeting place, purchase of food, preparation of the food, setting up of decorations, and the serving of food and drinks. This summer, Tatjyana accepted responsibilities as temporary International Student Advisor (in addition to her duties as the Office Manager) and she will continue in both positions until sometime in September, 2009. She has also found time to serve on the hiring committee for the new Finance Associate for the International Centre and two new international Student Advisors. Tatjyana has a great attitude towards the mission of the International Centre-to build bridges between cultures and to support international education. Her smile, knowledge, and can-do demeanor goes a long way in assisting international students, faculty, and dependents at UND, as well as those American students that seek to study overseas. She is usually the first one to work and the last one to leave. She has made herself a key component in every section of the Office of International Programs. She truly deserves the U-Shine Award.” -- Shari K. Nelson, Assistant Director of Learning Services, Student Success Center, sharinelson@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-2117