Sarah Martin Kriha, who works for the Department of Residence Life/Gruenhagen Conference Center, as the university conference coordinator at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, has been named the recipient of the April 2019 STAR Award.
She was nominated by Marc Nylen, the Gruenhagen Conference Center director and Residence Life associate director.
The nomination follows:
“Sarah Martin Kriha has demonstrated exemplary conference service operations throughout summer 2018. She served as the lead planner and coordinator for the 75th Annual Badger Girls State American Legion Auxiliary Convention, hosted on the UW Oshkosh campus, for the 15th consecutive year. Sarah demonstrated extraordinary talent, skill, dedication, commitment and kindness in serving the needs of 800 high school delegates and 65 staff members who spent a full week on the UW Oshkosh campus.
“She gave her time without complaint and established a rapport and camaraderie with members of their planning team that took the execution of this major convention to the highest level of professional service. In doing so, she brought great pride, honor and notoriety to our campus.
“Additionally, this summer Sarah again served as the lead university conference coordinator for the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) All Star lodging, dining and overall management for the WFCA North All Star players, coaches and board members. She served their needs in a professional and caring manner and demonstrated an attention to detail that sets the standard for others to follow. Members of the WFCA staff and overall delegation said incredibly kind words about Sarah’s approach, availability, care and concern. Once again, in serving the needs of this group, Sarah brought the community to the campus, and availed our wonderful UW Oshkosh resources in an incredibly positive manner.
“Sarah serves as a member of the University Staff Council on the UW Oshkosh campus.
“In doing so, she has demonstrated a commitment to shared governance and ongoing communication of information within the Department of Residence Life and Gruenhagen Conference Center. She is extremely dedicated and committed to this role, and these responsibilities are outside of the scope of her day-to-day positional responsibilities.
“Sarah also recently served as a search and screen committee member for a staff recruitment within the UW Oshkosh Childcare Center.
“Finally, within the month of July, Sarah assisted in the management, coordination and execution of the EAA Airventure 2018 lodging program on the UW Oshkosh campus. In doing so, she took on additional responsibilities in co-managing our Runner Services operation. We welcomed 5,000 guests to the UW Oshkosh campus over a 12-night period. Sarah dedicated herself to the service of our guests and fellow staff members in this role. EAA AirVenture was a great success due in large part to the contributions of Sarah Martin Kriha.
“Sarah continuously demonstrates dedication, commitment, skill, talent, care, concern, compassion, sincerity and class when she welcomes countless groups to our campus throughout the summer. It has been a privilege to work with her in Gruenhagen Conference Center.”