Fox Cities News

Micki Benz, an administrative assistant in the Dean’s Office of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh College of Business, has been recognized with the STAR Award for March 2025. The award acknowledges her exceptional support and contributions to the college.

Debbie Gray Patton, Benz's supervisor, nominated her for this recognition. Patton stated: “Micki is deserving of the STAR Award for the exceptional support she has given to me and other unfamiliar staff in the College of Business. Since my arrival in the College of Business in late January 2024, we have had three additional fresh staff start in the Dean’s office or Academic Programs office, a total of four of eight staff are new in the last seven months. To say it has been a stressful time would be a huge understatement."

Patton praised Benz for being "kind, accepting, and supportive" during a challenging period when several new staff members joined. She noted that Benz's sense of humor and knowledge were invaluable during this transition. Patton added: "At an overwhelming time to everyone, her sense of humor and knowledge of institutional history has been so helpful."

Benz was also recognized for organizing a 'campus joy' table at Sage lobby to welcome students with College of Business swag at the beginning of the school year—a task considered beyond her regular duties.

During a two-month period over summer when she was the sole department assistant following a colleague's promotion, Benz managed critical processes such as student admissions independently. Despite having no prior experience with these tasks on her own, she successfully completed them.

Patton concluded by emphasizing that accomplishing routine tasks under these circumstances merits celebration: "Accomplishing things that may have been ‘normal’ in the past deserves celebration moving forward.”