Kenneth Kushner is honored for going above and beyond to keep us safe

Posted: July 9, 2021

On June 26, The Engineering Staff Advisory Committee (ESAC) announced winners and nominees who were recognized for going above and beyond in their job functions.

The Above and Beyond Awards are a mechanism for employees to be recognized for outstanding performance in support of the college’s mission and university core values. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering congratulates Laboratory Supervisor Kenneth Kushner for winning this year's Superior Safety Award.

Superior Safety Award: Kenneth Kushner

Ken's over thirty years of service encompass COE's facilities. His mentorship, guidance, and extensive knowledge of current and potential risk are invaluable from everything ranging from construction to office PPE. His quality of service is inspiring. It is a bar other staff aspire to reach. If anything, Ken is the blueprint for the safety mission. His superlative service, the way he advises other staff on potential risk, and ensures the safety of everyone is beyond is a personification of the safety mission.

Outstanding Service Award: Bryce Steel

Bryce is an integral part of the Engineering Technology Services Infrastructure team. During COVID, the entire Infrastructure team has had to pivot to enable shifting remote work demands and make specialty allowances for scenarios that just didn't exist outside of a pandemic. Bryce was instrumental in helping to set up necessary policies and groups to make the work from home transition as smooth as possible for the College of Engineering.

Exemplary Support or Advancement of Research Award: Peggy Grgich

Peggy plays a significant role in the smooth operation of MAE research activities given that she is the primary contact for purchasing needs, procurement policy and research expenditure through personnel appointments. Her experience has allowed her to establish valuable relationships with MAE faculty, staff and students, and colleagues at the COE and University level. From a MAE faculty member “Peggy has been tremendous support to my lab's research and consistently a pleasure to work with. She always goes the extra mile to help solve problems. Peggy has definitely made a strong positive impact on our research efforts and the working environment for my group.”

Outstanding Service to Students Award: Nick Breckenridge

Nick is totally committed to serving the graduate students of this department and he invests considerable creative genius to constantly invent ways to serve them better and improve their experience in MAE. Nick is responsible for over 300 graduate students in 3 degree programs – the majority of which are international students. Nick is keenly aware of his responsibility to serve them – and has a free-flowing open-door policy that means he is always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and hear concerns or complaints. Because of his genuine interest in their well-being, students naturally gravitate to him to consult about concerns or issues in their program. Many a potentially catastrophic advising situation has been defused by his early detection of issues before they reach the critical stage.

Inclusive Excellence Award – Courtney Ross

Courtney provides significant leadership across our organization, focused on excellence in advancing the College of Engineering's mission regarding climate and culture. In addition to her formal development responsibilities with the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering (CEGE), Courtney supports Lisa Barclay and the office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). This work has resulted in increased philanthropic funding for DEI initiatives, including an Engineering Diversity Scholarship with Honda. Courtney is always one of the first to volunteer for additional committee work and leadership opportunities, both formal and informal.

Exemplary Team Performance Award: MAE Machine Shop - Chad Bivens, Kevin Wolf, Aaron Orsborn

The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Machine Shop Staff have gone above and beyond during the last year to tackle the challenges faced by the MAE Department, the College of Engineering, and even the entire University during the COVID-19 pandemic. These staff members played an instrumental role in supporting the effort to fabricate PPE when there was a shortage. The overall effort ended up producing several thousand face shields that went directly to frontline healthcare staff at OSU. In addition, OSU COE was able to provide around one thousand face shields to Columbus Public Health.

The Machine Shop Staff also made a tremendous effort to allow the hands on design course ME 2900 to run safely and effectively in person while satisfying COVID-related guidelines and restrictions.

ESAC recognized all those nominated for an award

There were many excellent nominations this year that showcase the talent throughout the College of Engineering.

Outstanding Service Award Nominations: Katy Arenschield, Megan Doolin, Dale Gelter, Caitlin Mashhadian, Alex McSurley, Shannon Morrison, Thuy Nguyen, Kristina Renner, Ann Sanders
Outstanding Service to Students Award Nominations: Megan Doolin
Inclusive Excellence Award nominations: Lisa Barclay