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Al Mauler, Jayhawk of the Month for October 2009

Brenda Owens, the September recipient of the Jayhawk of the Month award, packed the Jayhawk's bags and sent him to her friend and colleague Al Mauler.

"I felt honored, of course, but I was also gratified by the things that Brenda cited in her award statement: willingness to answer questions and share historical memory, treating colleagues with humor, goodwill and respect," Al said. "These are qualities I try to bring to work everyday—it’s good to know that they are manifested at least some of the time!"

"I do appreciate the dean’s attempt at create a process whereby staff can be recognized for “above and beyond” service," Al said. "The Jayhawk of the Month award incorporates several features that make it different (and better) from other staff recognition programs. The jayhawk is a traveling award—it’s meant to move around and call attention to manifestations of outstanding service that exist all over the library. It’s designed to be passed around! As such, it should come to symbolize the 'above and beyond' service that’s being performed all around us in the library. Sure, Brenda & Al were recognized the first two months, but having the jayhawk around reminds us of the quality of service we’re all capable of. At the same time, creating a certificate & awarding a small stuffed jayhawk lend a certain level of permanence to the award, a keepsake with special meaning."
Al Mauler receives the Jayhawk of the Month award from Dean Harricombe (Photo by Sarah Kanning)