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Erin Halfen and Jason O’Connor have won the 2010 KU School of Business Staff Appreciation Awards for their quality of service and commitment to continuous improvement. The recipients were honored at a March 25 Staff Appreciation Award Luncheon at The Oread Hotel.

O’Connor has worked at the School of Business since July 2006 and has been with KU since August 2000. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology, both from KU. O’Connor serves as director of the Student and Academic Services office.

“Jason is a wonderful representative of the amazing staff we have working in the School of Business,” a nominating co-worker said. “As the director of the Student and Academic Services office, he listens to our ideas and feedback, is open to change, treats us with the utmost respect, encourages us to improve ourselves as professionals, and sets a clear vision and direction for our office.”

“It has been amazing to see the progress the School of Business has made in the last four years,” O’Connor said. “The staff and faculty enjoy their work and the students always seem to be excited to be a Business school student.”

Erin Halfen has worked at the School of Business since August 2008. Before moving to Lawrence with her husband, Halfen was a corporate travel agent in Milwaukee. She is a senior administrative assistant in the finance, economics and decision sciences area.

“Erin is bright and personable and has the social skills to represent the department,” a nominating co-worker said. “Although coordinating the work requests of multiple people is stressful and tiring, Erin gets the job done in a friendly and gracious manner. She is deserving of recognition for her role in contributing to a positive image for the School of Business.”

“Since the first day I started working here all the faculty and staff have been tremendously helpful and courteous,” Halfen said. “I feel honored to receive this award because I know there are so many other deserving staff members here in the School of Business.”

The Staff Appreciation Award was established in 1995 by School of Business staff members. Eligible employees must be permanently employed by the School of Business for at least one year and have not won the award in the past three years. All staff members are encouraged to vote.