June 19, 2003::No.266

Cal State Fullerton Honors Staff Member For Extraordinary Service

Campus staff members gave thunderous applause for one of their own when President Milton A. Gordon announced this year’s Outstanding Staff Employee: Erika Bakken, administrative analyst/specialist for the Academic Senate.

The Placentia resident was honored this month during the university’s annual Staff Appreciation Day festivities.

Bakken, who was one of the volunteers distributing door prizes during the event, was stunned to hear her name and see that several members of the Academic Senate were on hand to congratulate her.

“I’m overwhelmed,” she said. “It’s such a thrill that they (members of the Senate) support me like that.”

Gordon noted that Bakken has “truly exhibited extraordinary performance in all areas of the required criteria. Our honoree utilizes her strong people and networking skills and extensive knowledge of past Senate practices and policies to find creative solutions to challenges.”

Bakken has been responsible for organizing the annual Academic Affairs/Senate retreat during the last two years and was instrumental in the implementation of electronic voting for Senate elections.

“She coordinated every aspect of the election voting, from memos to faculty, petition forms, and letter of instruction on how to vote, to timelines and database with e-mail addresses,” said Gordon.

“There is no one better deserving of this award,” said Leon Gilbert, Senate chair and professor of modern languages and literatures, adding that Bakken is often the constant in the Senate office. “She is just a remarkable staff member. It’s a great award for her!”

Former Academic Senate Chair Sandra Sutphen, who nominated Bakken, also remarked on the honoree’s importance as “the institutional memory for the Senate. She richly deserves this honor. People who know her, know that there’s no better choice for this recognition.”

Senate member Barry Pasternack, chair and professor of information systems and decisions sciences, cited Bakken’s strengths. “She is truly one of the most conscientious, dedicated and collegial staff people at CSU that I have had the pleasure to work with.”

“In a descriptive word, professionalism sums up Erika Bakken,” said Marilyn Miller, Bakken’s co-worker in the Senate office. “She is well-respected for her poise under pressure and dignity through difficult times, always emerging a lady.”

Bakken has been a member of the campus community for more than 20 years, including serving in the Finance and Marketing departments. As this year’s award winner, she received a $1,500 cash award from the President’s Associates, season tickets to College of the Arts productions and sporting events, plus a special parking permit good for one year.